SCVNews.com | Opinion/Commentary: Plenty to Do This Summer in Santa Clarita

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1905 - County buys property to build Newhall Jail (now next to city's Old Town Newhall Library) [story]

Plenty to Do This Summer in Santa Clarita

Guest commentary by City Manager Ken Pulskamp

By Ken Pulskamp | Friday, Jun 1, 2012

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Ken Pulskamp

If you are wondering what there is to do in Santa Clarita this summer, we’ve got you covered. Whether you and your family enjoy swimming, hiking, bicycling, music, reading, shopping or dining, you can do it all right here at home.

The city’s 60 miles of off-street trails and paseos offer a beautiful and safe path across Santa Clarita. More trails and connections are being added to make your non-motorized trip easy and fun. For information, check out our trails maps at http://www.santa-clarita.com/index.aspx?page=397.

If swimming is your thing, there are city pools at several local parks, plus the Santa Clarita Aquatic Center with its Olympic-sized pool, 25-meter dive pool and the family play pool. Lessons, lap swim, “dive-in” movie watching, and water polo, are cool and healthy activities during the hot summer months.

The Santa Clarita Public Library’s Summer Reading program is available at all three of the city’s libraries and offers programs for children, teens and adults. This year’s program theme is “Nighttime.” Weekly events and workshops will explore the fun and exciting world at night. For information, visit www.santaclaritapubliclibrary.com.

In Old Town Newhall, SENSES On Main has become the “go to” event. Come out and experience Main Street like you’ve never seen it before as SENSES transforms Main Street into a nightlife atmosphere. Hosted on the third Thursday of every month, the event is designed to heighten your sense of sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound with live music and entertainment, art, food trucks, adult beverages and more. For information and a calendar, visit www.SensesonMain.com or call 661-250-3787.

Right now, we’re gearing up for the Fourth of July festivities as well as our popular, free Summer Concert Series. You won’t want to miss the free Fourth of July fireworks show at the Valencia Town Center, sponsored by the city. You may find out about all of the Fourth of July activities via the city’s website at www.santa-clarita.com. The free summer concert series begins in July, and these great concerts are held every Saturday evening at 7 p.m. at Central Park.

Thank you for your interest in the City of Santa Clarita. It is always a pleasure to hear from you. You can reach me directly via email at kpulskamp@santa-clarita.com.

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