RALEIGH, N.C. — When an announcement came about classes for the Wake County Public School System being canceled Monday, parents had to make plans in a hurry.

What You Need To Know

WCPSS alerted parents on Sunday afternoon schools would be closed on Monday  

In response, the City of Raleigh Parks and Rec team let parents know about their weather bound program

The weather bound program gives moms and dads to drop their children off at one of their community parks 

Children can participate in a myriad of activities

Working moms and dads needed options for where they could take their children. One of those was the City of Raleigh's Weather Bound Program.

The Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department oversees the program. 

Grady Bussey is an employee who helps run the program for the city's parks and recreation department.

“Parents have to go to work, and we want to make sure these kids have a place that’s structural, that is positive and creates a good experience for them,” Bussey said.

Bussey is the director of John Chavis Memorial Park where a couple dozen kids spent the day. He said basically they turned JCM Park, Marsh Creek Park and Abbotts Creek Park into three well-coordinated city-run day cares. 

”I think the thing with Raleigh is that we take what we do really seriously when we are attempting to serve our community,” Bussey said. 

After 5 p.m. Sunday, Bussey had to serve the community when leaders at the WCPSS called and texted parents about school closing Monday, primarily because of poor road conditions.

 

“We have given our parents an opportunity to have a safe place for their kids to come,” Bussey said.

According to the city website, the program is intended as a “a structured place for your children to play when Wake County Schools are closed for the day due to inclement weather."

Part of the day is outside, and part of the 9 a.m.-to-5 p.m. time window is spent indoors.

“Our department does it right,” Bussey said.

Raleigh residents pay $30, and parents living outside city limits pay $45. Bussey says it’s not a bad deal for the 20 to 25 children whose parents signed them up for it.

“The good thing about the parks and staff is that we are the best trained, the most ready staff to be able to provide these experiences for these young people,” Bussey said.

Some of the activities may include sports, arts and crafts, interactive games and outdoor play. If you would like to drop your child off at one in the future, the website suggested “children should bring a lunch, two snacks, drinks and a change of clothes."

Bussey said this program isn’t new, so anytime there is a school closing in the city and parks and rec staff can throw something together for interested families.