YOUTH – VITALITY – HEART
“ASPIRE TO INSPIRE” IS THE GOAL OF MARGARET RECREATION CENTER’S DIRECTOR
by Caroline Snyder

Briana is a birthday party, a Halloween surprise and a Christmas gift all wrapped up in the same package.  She is the Director at Margaret Center who leaves you breathless extolling her pride about the children of Dayton’s Bluff.  You will be privileged to have a “great mentorship” experience awaiting your children when they become involved with her year round activities and events at Margaret Recreation Center.

Born in Minneapolis, her family moved to the West Side of St. Paul when she was only a year old.  She is currently a resident of Highland Park and has been the present director of Margaret for 2 years as of the first of September.  Her involvement with youth recreational activities citywide began in high school.  She obtained her degree in law criminology and deviance from the University of Minnesota where she also took Spanish.  After passing the city test for recreation director she was assigned her position at Margaret in 1998 and the last 2 years have given her the dream she wanted to capture since high school.  Briana has 2 assistants – Cornelius Brown who is the basketball co-coordinator and Andre Dawson who is the after school program co-coordinator.   Most of the programs are pretty much tailored to her clientele, which range in age from 2 year olds to 55 and older senior citizens.  Grades 1 through 8 are in the majority with 5th and 6th graders coming in a close second.  The Center is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the summer and during the school year the hours are from 3 to 9 p.m. for the young people.  On Saturdays they are open from 11 to 4 p.m.  The Seniors meet on Tuesdays from 9 to 1 p.m.   Their activities range from cards and cribbage to bowling and darts. Special trips are planned year around which the seniors organize themselves.

The athletic programs for the youth range from basketball and wrestling (intramural) all year round to ice skating in the winter.  (Note:  registration for basketball will continue into November for ages 5-17).  Also inclusive in year round events are field trips and special Holiday events.  This year is no exception with a big Halloween Bash at the Haunted House at the Hillside of Horrors in Highland Park and a Halloween party for the younger kids at the Recreation Center. A Fall Dance for the older kids is planned at a later date.  Thanksgiving follows up with a turkey dinner at the Center, which the kids will help prepare with the Moms and Dads and volunteers.  Briana is also involved with the Winter Carnival City Royalty and the selection of the King and Queen.

There is a “special Booster Club” at Margaret where concerned parents and Dayton’s Bluff residents can participate in the assistance of fund raising and grant writing.  Funds are used to pay for entry fees and to purchase equipment, uniforms and supplies for Margaret Recreation Center. Some of the activities are free. 

For children who need a “safe and invigorating place” to participate in competitive and non-competitive activities after school, the Recreation Center has an open invitation to all children on the East Side of St. Paul.  After school nourishing snacks are offered to children and parents can be reassured their children will be attended to by caring staff.  When Mom and Dad are not at home and siblings are busy with other activities, this just might be the answer for many “latch key kids.”  Briana relates a couple of stories, which touched my heartstrings.  One of a young boy in the neighborhood who stops in frequently to help said to Briana that “he really needed a place to come to or he would be hanging out with troubled kids and getting into mischief.”  Another story about a young girl whose older brothers and sisters were busy with their friends and didn’t have much time for their “little sister.”  Margaret Recreation Center welcomed her and soon she was busy with her own activities at the Center.  These are stories that Briana is proud to reveal along with many others.  Because of a special sensitivity she possesses for children and young adults, the position of Director is especially fulfilling and heartwarming for her.  She realizes that the years between elementary and junior high are especially difficult and that values and morals developed during these years help to develop the character of a young person as he makes the transition into adulthood. 

Margaret Recreation Center is built into a hillside and the architecture of the landscaping is quite unique.  There are several trophies displayed in a showcase in the entrance.  Beside the showcase is a dedication plaque dated 1983, the date of the recreation’s inception.  The names of Mayor Latimer and Congressman Bruce Vento are engraved on the plaque – quite fitting to the memory of Bruce Vento who made such an impact on the lives of children in the 4th District.  

As I left the facility, I noticed some lovely pink pansies huddled in the morning sunlight awaiting the eminent frost that will bring to an end this summer’s rebirth of Mother Nature’s offering to humanity.  Briana reiterated that the children had planted a garden of shrubs and flowers at the entrance in the spring to signify the desire to keep alive the spirit of Margaret – nurturing youth for the opportunities that await our young people for a lifetime of dreams fulfilled and relationships cherished.

If you wish more detailed information Briana publishes a quarterly newsletter each season and the Fall Program 2000 is now available.  Please stop by the Center at 1109 Margaret Street or call her at 651-298-5719.  You will always receive a warm greeting as I did and a wealth of information about the Center.