Here’s a look at this past year’s hits, misses and possibilities, based on revenues and attendance from the Naperville Park District.

What’s hot:

Youth sports and fitness. The year’s biggest money-maker hauled in more than $1.3 million. Soccer’s the largest sport, offering two seasons serving about 3,600 participants. Lacrosse programs also continue to grow, Recreation Superintendent Brad Wilson said.

Youth sports are gaining popularity as kids specialize in one sport at an earlier age, Director Barbara Heller said.

Indoor swimming. A new partnership that allowed use of Naperville North High School’s indoor pool for lessons boosted attendance and revenues.

What’s not:

Early childhood programs. This year brought in about $530,000, as opposed to nearly $610,000 in past years. Some classes were canceled due to low enrollment.

Part of that was due to a lack of indoor facilities with which to hold classes at convenient times, leaders say. Increased competition from child-care providers, such as community churches adding their own services, make it a tougher market, a trend reflected among other districts, too, Heller said.

“Parents now have more choices,” she said.

Adult arts and leisure. This area has seen dramatic drops, with 1,075 people participating in 2005, compared to nearly 3,300 in 2001.

Family demands have cut down on time for parents to take classes for themselves, and parents who are cash-strapped prefer spending money on their children, officials say.

What could be:

Athletic camps. The end of a partnership hurt the district’s 2005 athletic camp attendance and revenue. Neuqua Valley High School joined Waubonsie Valley in offering its own camps, contributing to a park district loss of 2,200 participants and $145,000. But that aside, camps did well financially and leaders hope to expand them next year.

Active adults. A growing market, leaders will try to offer more programs for active adults, or those 55 and older. Traditional senior offerings are old-fashioned, officials say.

“They’re not necessarily inclined to sit and have quiet conversation or play cards or bingo,” Heller said. “They want to do more athletic things.”

Family events. “That seems to be on an increase across the state,” said Ted Flickinger, president of the Illinois Association of Park Districts. “Parents become more conscious of doing things as a family with time becoming more precious.”

Tournaments. This could be a money-maker with newly developed fields in southwest side parks coming on line. Six new fields, for example, will be available for use next year at Commissioners Park.

Let The Blog Spot know what’s Hot - Not - and Could Be!

Posted Thursday, December 22, 2005 in the Daily Herald