An opportunity to play outside 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday with organized activities in one of four Salisbury parks is available to younger residents each summer.

The Summer Playground Program began June 18 and continues through July 25 for students who have completed kindergarten through age 12.

Counselors oversee activities at Green Acres, Lindberg, Devonshire and Laubach parks, creating theme weeks and fun activities for the kids.

Arts and crafts are available at all parks with Head Counselors Antonella DiMatteo and Pat Jacoby.

Crafts included patriotic necklaces, plastic sun catchers, door hangers, tie dye shirts for park day and gliders.

Salisbury Township Recreation Director Genny Baillie said the number of children registered this year is consistent with last.

"Approximately 75 students attend Green Acres, 40 attend Lindberg, 15 attend Devonshire and 102 attend Laubach," Baille said.

New this year was a soccer clinic with Head Counselor Pat Jacoby, held July 7 through 10 at Laubach and Lindberg parks.

"We thought a soccer clinic would work well to coincide with the World Cup," Baille said. Each team carried a different country name.

Baille said the soccer clinic was well received due to soccer's increased popularity.

The Allentown Public Library book van also made the rounds to the parks, an opportunity for students to borrow and return books without having to go into center city Allentown.

Children's librarian Joan Kneiss said over 30 books had been borrowed in the first two weeks of the park program.

"We do this to encourage reading over the summer," Kneiss said. "Kids can't get downtown and this helps with the closing of the South Branch."

Counselors this year include Sean Adams, Kaitlyn Kulp, Shaun Holben, Justin Todora, Michael Miller, Aaron King, Kelly Garrigan, Tyler Kuhns, Hailey Undercuffler, Shannon Pennella, Brad Vangelli, Nicolas Ampietro, Kim Ringhoffer, Joseph Mercado, Alyssa Fox, Colette Miller and Bradley Sartorius.

Salisbury's annual playground day will be held July 23 at Lindberg Park where all participants of the park program gather together. The rain date is July 24. Games, hot dogs and prizes are on the agenda for this highly anticipated day.