Summer or winter, the city of Homer Parks and Recreation offers plenty of ways to stay active. If there’s an interest in a specific activity that isn’t on the schedule, Mike Illg, the program coordinator, will do what he can to make it available.

“I always tell people the recreation program is organic,” said Illg, whose office is located at Homer High School and carefully builds the program around the school district’s calendar.

The biggest event of the summer is the certified 10K to the Bay Spit Run, taking place June 28. It is co-sponsored by Homer Parks and Rec, South Peninsula Hospital, Kachemak Bay Running Club and the Homer News. Open to runners and walkers of all abilities, the event begins at the Homer High School parking area at 10 a.m. and ends at the end of the Spit. 

Online registration of $30 is available until midnight June 20 or, if mailed in, must be postmarked by June 20. Registration the day of the race is $40 and can be done between 8:30-9:30 a.m. Runners age 9 and younger are free.

“It seems to get bigger and bigger every year,” said Illg of the event’s growing popularity. “This year, we’ve got a new T-shirt design going to the first 225 registrants. We’re hoping that’ll give people incentive to register.”

A free shuttle is available until noon for runners returning to Homer High to pick up vehicles. Participants’ clothing and gear will be transported from the start to the finish line and a special Spit Run lunch will be available for purchase at Land’s End Resort. Proceeds from the run benefit local youth running programs.

The run is only one of many events offered through the city’s recreation program and Illg posts an up-to-date weekly schedule online. Following is a list of regularly scheduled activities. Cost to participate is $3 per visit for adults, $2 per visit for ages 17 and younger.

Basketball: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at Homer High School from 5:30-7:30 p.m.;

Basketball (morning): Monday, Wednesday and Friday at HHS from 6-7 a.m.;

Fencing: Monday and Thursday at HHS from 6-8 p.m.;

Karate: Tuesday and Thursday at HHS from 5:30-8 p.m.

Pickleball: Monday, Wednesday, Friday at the HERC, Homer Educational and Recreation Center, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.;

Ping pong: Wednesday at HHS from 6-8 p.m.

Volleyball: Wednesday at HHS from 5:30-8 p.m., Sunday at HHS from 4-7 p.m.;

Weight lifting: Monday through Thursday at HHS from 5:30-8 p.m.

Illg keeps regular hours at his office in Homer High Monday through Thursday from noon-8 p.m. and on Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. He can be reached by phone at 235-6090 or by emailing communityrecreation@cityofhomer.ak.gov.

• For a schedule of city of Homer Parks and Recreation activities, visit cityofhomer-ak.gov/recreation/recreation-department-contact-information.

• Register for the Spit Run at kachemakbayrunningclub.org. For more information on the run or to volunteer, call Bill Steyer at 399-1078.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.