Local residents hunting for ways to enjoy the dog days of summer need look no further. This season there are plenty of activities and events for kids, teens and adults available right here at home.

Thanks to a combined partnership of the City of Oakley, Delta Family YMCA, East Bay Regional Parks District and the Oakley Library, Oakleyites can expect to enjoy an abundance of recreational activities in their own back yard.

"This is a huge year for residents, just huge," said Denis Nishihara, recreation program director. "Our goal was to provide something for everyone. With the partnerships we've developed, we've got a lot to offer the community. We're totally excited."

From youth development and preschool programs to day-trip destinations such as

Great America, Water World and Pier 39 in San Francisco, the city recreation programs are designed for kids of all ages.

And this year, the Delta Family YMCA and the city are co-sponsoring community swim programs, swim lessons and youth swim parties at the Freedom High pool.

"It wouldn't be summer without lots of water fun," said Liz Marsh, program director for the YMCA. "This year we are at the Freedom pool and we have extended hours all the way through September."

Other YMCA highlights this summer include the popular Princess and Pirate day camps and Super Sports programs. Beginning at the end of July, these camps are for children of all ages, and openings are still available.

If hiking and exploring is more your style, the East Bay Regional Park District will conduct some outdoor day camps at Contra Loma in Antioch.

Bookworms have plenty to cheer about this summer, too. In addition to the popular summer reading program, designed to fit the needs of four different age groups (including for the first time this year a Baby Reading Program for little ones from birth to age 2), a variety of other programs will be offered this year, "activities that will appeal to both adults and children this summer," said Oakley Branch Librarian Fuller.

Aside from the summer reading programs, the library will also be hosting movie nights every Wednesday evening at the library. A new drama program, in conjunction with the YMCA, will be available in July and will include theater games, improvisational exercises and tongue twisters, all designed to bring out the inner drama queen, or king, in kids ages 5 to 12.

Horse lovers can take a trip to the Oakley Equestrian Center off O'Hara Avenue and treat themselves to horseback riding lessons for all skill levels.

Fore! Oakley residents can now enjoy a hole-in-one opportunity at the Lone Tree Golf Course in Antioch. The discounted Antioch resident rate will now be applied to all Oakley golfers.

A community recreation guide highlighting all of Oakley's summertime events and programs including dates, times and cost, is available at the Oakley city offices, 3231 Main St., or by visiting the Web site, www.ci.oakley.ca.us.

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