CRANBERRY TWP — The township parks and recreation department will hold three clinics in March to teach children how to play Dek hockey, and the township is organizing six separate leagues for children and adults.

The programs are an attempt to get children active and to introduce them to Cranberry’s new Dek hockey rink in Graham Park, which was built last year after the Pittsburgh Penguins and Highmark partnered to build it.

The rink here was the first one outside of Allegheny County to be built by the two entities.

A clinic for children ages 7 through 9 will be at 10 a.m. March 14, while another clinic for youths ages 4 to 6 will take place at 10 a.m. March 21.

A final session for children ages 10 through 12 is at 10 a.m. March 28.

Each session will last 90 minutes. They all will take place at the Dek hockey rink. There is no fee for anyone who participates although advanced registration is required.

Dave Hutner of the parks department said that he’s organizing six age-appropriate leagues for the Dek hockey rink.

Hutner said children ages 4 to 6 will be eligible to play in the Chipmunk Division, those ages 7 to 9 will play in the Penguins division, those ages 10 to 12 will play in the Beaver Division, those ages 13 to 15 will play in the Cadet Division, and those ages 16 to 18 will play in the Freshman Division.

A 10-game adult league also is being formed for anyone 18 and older, Hutner said.

There will be a fee to play in a league.

Hutner said of the clinics and leagues, “This is a great opportunity to get exposure for the rink and to get kids interested in our beautiful facility. We want to show it off a little bit.”

Residents will be able to use the rink almost year-round, Hutner said, although there won’t be any programs scheduled for the winter.

Hutner added that parent coaches are needed for all league games.

Anyone interested either in coaching or playing can contact the parks department at 724-776-4806, extension 1129.