About Cherokee Recreation Center
Cherokee Recreation Center offers highly effective children's swim lessons (notably with Ms. Dana), diverse programs like Martial Arts and pottery, and provides a free membership for weekday access to a gym, exercise equipment, and a pool. It's consistently praised as a fun environment for kids, with notable free pottery classes for adults.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Parents seeking rapid and effective swim lesson progress for their children.Families looking for diverse weekday activities like Martial Arts or general recreation.Adults interested in free creative classes (pottery) or convenient gym/pool access during weekdays.Keeping school-aged children engaged and having fun with structured activities.School-aged children: Ideal for swim lessons, Martial Arts, and general recreational fun.
Why families love it
- Ms. Dana's swim lessons are exceptionally structured, informed, and skilled; kids learn more in one lesson with her than in 16 weeks at other facilities (e.g., the Y).
- High-quality pottery/ceramic classes are taught by Jen/Jin, described as a talented artist and a super good/spirited teacher.
- Free ceramic/pottery classes are available for adults.
- Children can learn Martial Arts and swimming.
- The center offers a free membership providing access to a gym, exercise equipment, and a pool.
- Children consistently have fun when visiting.
Insider tips
- If prioritizing swim instruction, specifically ask for Ms. Dana due to her highly effective teaching style.
- For general facility use (gym, pool), plan visits for weekdays as the center is only open then.
- Always check for holiday closures or other posted schedule changes before visiting.
- Adults interested in pottery can take advantage of free classes, likely on Thursdays with Jen/Jin.
Good to know before you go
- Weekend visits for general facilities (gym, pool) as they are only open weekdays.
- Visiting on holidays without confirming opening hours.
- If specifically seeking programs or facilities for infants/toddlers, as these were not mentioned.
- General facilities (gym, pool) are only open on weekdays.
- The center is closed on holidays or if posted, requiring parents to check ahead.
- Crowds
- Regular use by a reviewer ("couple of times a week") implies manageable crowds during weekdays. No specific crowd times mentioned.
- Value
- Offers excellent value with a free membership providing access to gym, exercise equipment, and pool. Provides free ceramic/pottery classes for adults. Swim lessons are highlighted as being exceptionally effective, providing superior value compared to other institutions (e.g., learning more in one lesson than 16 weeks at the Y). No hidden costs mentioned.
- Accessibility
- No specific accommodations mentioned in the reviews.
- Safety
- No specific safety features mentioned in the reviews.
What parents say
"Lawrence runs this center beautifully and has really fixed it up and added great programs for kids and adults. I go for the pottery class on Thursdays. Jen, the pottery teacher, is a talented artist as well as a super good teacher!"
a year ago
"My kids started at the STL Rec just a few weeks ago. They are learning Martial Arts, swimming and so much more. But I had to write a review of the swim lessons my kids received by Ms. Dana at the Cherokee Center. My kids have attended lessons at the Y, but Ms. Dana is structured, informed, skilled and most of all, my kids learned something. They know more from one lesson with her, than in the 16 weeks at the Y. My kids will be swimming in no time! Definitely coming back!!"
2 years ago
"They have a good ceramic glass, free for adults. The instructor name is Jin, and she has a good spirit! 🤗"
a year ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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