Frieda Zamba Swimming Pool now open for season

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

It’s time to take a swim! The city of Palm Coast’s Frieda Zamba Swimming Pool is now open for the 2015 season.Hours through April will be 2-7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; hours and days of operation will expand later in the spring. The pool is heated, so everyone can splash around, even on days when the weather is still a bit chilly. There are four pavilions on the pool deck available for reservation, and the entire facility can be rented for after-hours events.

Mark calendars now for four big events at the pool in May including the Itsy Bitsy Pool Party Wednesday, May 6, Frieda Zamba Pool Makeover Celebration Saturday, May 23, Tribute to the Troops Monday, May 25, and Pool Safety Day Sunday, May 31.

The Frieda Zamba Pool is located at 339 Parkview Drive, adjacent to Belle Terre Park and the Buddy Taylor/Wadsworth School campus. Daily admission is $4 adults; $3 for seniors and youth; and free for children under 2 with half price after 5:30 p.m.

Ninth Flagler County Citizens Academy Class graduates
Nearly 30 Flagler residents participated in the ninth Flagler County Citizens Academy, which graduated April 6.

“By developing each session with citizens in mind, we’ve created an experience where people can get a feel of how difficult it is for officials and staff to make decisions in regards to things like the budget,” said Community Services Director Joe Mayer, who helped develop the program. “Gradation is the culmination of this experience.”

Graduates are Calvin Baker, Sr., Miguel Borjas, Larry Coletti, Bert Cordwell, Peggy Cordwell, Wayne Dodd, Lauren Falcey, Jeanne Florio, Barbara Harper, John Harper, Thomas Hellman, Bernard Kershner, Diana LeBrun, CarMichael McMillan, Robert Moritz, Stephanie Morse, Jennifer Nardiello, Richard Nardiello, Donald O’Brian, Emilia Ortiz-Jones, Podduturu Reddy, Vijaya Reddy, Anne Reeves, Lauren Shank, Ernie Sund, Jennifer Sund, David Tibbetts, Jane Tibbetts and Michael Timko.

The next Academy will start in September and lessons are scheduled for Thursday evenings. Call 313-4007.

Volunteers needed for invasive plant removal
Bring a friend, bring a kid, bring gloves and a water bottle to Betty Steflik Memorial Preserve April 29 to help rid it of invasive species like the Brazilian pepper trees along the entrance road. The entrance road will be closed from dawn to 1 p.m. as Land Management and Parks and Recreation staff, with the help of volunteers, remove the plants. Normal park access will be available after 1 p.m.

“We appreciate the help,” said Mike Lagasse, land manager. “Non-native plants are displacing the native plants.”

Flagler County has a dedicated group of volunteers who have worked at other preserves, like the River to Sea Preserve, protect the native ecosystem. Laura Ostapko is one of those volunteers and a member of The Pepper Pickers, a group that started at Gamble Rogers and has recently expanded its scope of work.

“We have a sign that says, ‘Restoring paradise one tree at a time,’ because that’s what we are doing,” Ostapko said. “It’s very rewarding when you see what you have done.”

Betty Steflik Memorial Preserve is situated on 217 acres along the eastern side of the Intracoastal Waterway south of State Road 100. Those interested in volunteering should call 313-4064 or at [email protected].