A favorite activity among residents is the  WELLNESS EXERCISE & RECREATIONAL TRAINING COURSE that has eight fitness stations along a paved track.  The area also has numerous benches for those who would like to rest a spell during their stroll along the trail.

The Recreation and Parks Department conducts many organized activities as well as play an integral role in activities held on park grounds.

ONE-DAY ACTIVITIES

Easter Egg Extravaganza:  An Easter egg hunt along with other activities are held at the Smiley Park ball diamonds.  (Free activities)

Holiday at Home:  A hometown Fourth of July celebration with  an annual parade, live band and food at Fountain Park.  The bike tour starts at Jubilee Park. Special activities are held at Wassenberg Art Center, Historical Museum, and Regional Airport. Smiley Park will host the Van Wert Fireman’s Association chicken BBQ and fireworks.

Get Hooked on Fishing: occurs in mid - April at the Reservoir Recreational Area / Rotary Park.  (Free activity)

Diamond Skills Competition: Held in early May for youths ages 7 - 14, enabling them to compete in baseball-related skills contest.  (Free activity)

Van Wert Marathon: For the avid runner.  Held late March at the Reservoir Recreation Area.  Runners may choose to run a full or half Marathon.

Fall Fright Festival: This community Halloween party is a free children's event held at the County Fairgrounds.  This event offers an opportunity for children to have fun with supervised activities.

BASEBALL

The Van Wert Youth Baseball Association: Active May through July. Leagues are broken down into three divisions; On Deck league with kids 8 - 9 years old (five teams), Little League ages 10 - 12 year olds (eight teams)  and Pony League, ages 13 - 15 (six teams). Tryouts are held the second week of April. (Not a Parks Department sponsored program.  Youth Baseball use city park facilities.)

Major League Baseball: A fundamental, skill-learning program for youths ages 9 - 12. No tryouts are held for this park-sponsored activity.  It’s easy to participate-just register by late April. League runs from June to late July.

Little Sluggers: A six-week instructional program for children ages 4 - 5.  Registration is required and runs from mid - June to late July.

Softball 

The Van Wert Fast Pitch Softball Association offers girls ages 9 - high school the opportunity to develop their skills in fast pitch softball.   The association sponsors one team in each of the three age groups: 9 - 12, 13 - 15, and high school. Sign-ups and try-outs are late April or early May.  (Not a Park Department sponsored program.  VWFPSA uses city park facilities.

Youth Softball is a slow-pitch Parks Department sponsored program for girls age 9 - high school. Pee Wee League consists of teams of girls ages 9 - 12 and the Bantam League for girls ages 13 - high school.  Registration is held in April.  Runs from June through July.

Adult Softball team registration is held in April with games running from May-August.  Teams may register in any of the leagues being offered:  Friday Coed League, Sunday Men’s League, Church League, which consist of two divisions: Monday Div. II, Tuesday Div. I.

Soccer

Soccer youth 12 and 13 year olds, or in junior high can participate in a competitive traveling league with home games at Smiley Park.  Youths are asked to register by June.  Games begin August and run through October.

Flag Football

The NFL Flag Football Program is designed for both boys and girls from ages 7 - 14. Although games begin in August, registration is completed by end of July. This is a no blocking or tackling program.  Played on a 60 yd. x 30 yd. field at Smiley Park.

Men’s Basketball

This program is an adult recreational league.  Registration for teams is taken until November first.   Activities run from mid November to February.  All games are held at Ohio City Liberty School.

Senior Activities

Picnics in the Park are monthly potlucks held during the summer months at Smiley Park. Opportunities include visiting the park, enjoyment of the food, and fun with friends.

Euchre Tournament is held in September at the Council on Aging, located on East Crawford Street.

Halloween Party is a time to dress up, an opportunity to enter the costume-judging contest, along with enjoying the ghoul and goblin snacks and games.  Held late October at the Council on Aging.

Thanksgiving Potluck provides the opportunity to bring in your favorite Thanksgiving dish to share and enjoy at a Thanksgiving feast, plus participate in games.  Generally held the week of Thanksgiving at the Council on Aging.

Christmas Party has all the sounds of the Christmas season with singing of carols and special entertainment.   An edible gift exchange, door prizes, and treats top off the day as we wish everyone a special holiday. This program is also held at the Council on Aging.

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