April 30, 2020
Your semi-monthly Recreation activities information.
GREETINGS,

We hope that you and your families are in good health and making the best of this unprecedented situation. As a reminder, the Parks and Recreation Office at Town Hall, both the Eastern and Western Civic Centers, the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink, the Skatepark, and both the Cos Cob and William Yantorno Community Centers are closed. Many of our office staff are still available via email. Please feel free to contact us.

Although we had to make the sad decision to cancel all spring recreation programs, we are still actively planning a host of summer activities. We are continuing with registration for summer programs, with the hope that life will be more normal by then, and we will be able to operate. We will amend the operations of our programs as necessary, in order to keep staff and participants safe. This will include reducing numbers of participants where needed, and following any guidelines provided by the Greenwich Health Department, the State of CT, and the CDC. If it is necessary to cancel any programs, those who have registered will be provided a full refund.

Information on the Jim Fixx races, summer programs, the Greenwich Farmers Market, and more is found below. For information on parks, beaches, and The Griff Golf Course, refer to the First Selectman's press releases on the Town's website. 

Best Regards,
Sue Snyder, Recreation Superintendent
Jim Fixx Memorial Day Virtual Runs for GEMS!
The Department of Parks & Recreation in cooperation with Threads and Treads, announces a Virtual Jim Fixx Run that will benefit the Greenwich Emergency Medical Services. The Memorial Day 5 mile race has been a tradition in Greenwich since 1965. A virtual race will allow runners to run five miles of their choosing between Monday, May 18 and Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. Participants must register online. There will also be a youth half-mile run and a three mile walk.

The profit generated from race fees will be donated to GEMS to honor and show our support the the first responders who serve the Greenwich community.
The operations of our summer camps and all programs will be adjusted and amended as necessary in order to keep our staff and participants safe. This will include the reduction of registration numbers in our programs according to CDC guidelines.

Camp registration is now open online for our three summer day camps, Kamp Kairphree, Adventurers, and Music, Art & Dance Camp.

REMEMBER current proofs of Greenwich residency must be provided and verified for 2020 prior to registering for camp or other recreation activities.
New Withdrawal Policy for Summer Camps
Parks and Recreation does not issue refunds for a Recreation Division activity unless it has been cancelled. Registrants assume full responsibility for any changes in their personal life which may affect their ability to participate. Much time and effort goes into planning our summer day camps. Knowing an accurate headcount for our programs in advance is crucial for effective planning. Therefore, we will be enforcing the following policy beginning 2020 for those who wish to withdraw from Kamp Kairphree, Adventurers, or Music, Art & Dance Camp:
·          Written withdrawal request prior to June 1, 2020 will be provided a full credit (100%) for the fee paid, less a $15.00 administrative fee.
·          Written withdrawal request June 1, 2020 or after, but prior to the first day of the camp section, will be provided only half credit (50%) for the fee paid and less a $15.00 administrative fee.
·          Written withdrawal request June 1, 2020 or after, and after the camp section has begun, will be provided half credit (50%) for the fee paid, also pro-rated based on the remaining time in the section, and less a $15.00 administrative fee.
 Any credit for withdrawal from day camp will be placed in the household account and may be used by anyone in the immediate household. The credit may be used towards Recreation activities or facility reservation within the Recreation Division and will be good for one year from date of issue. If you have any questions concerning this policy, please contact the Recreation Division administration prior to registering for day camp.
Kamp Kairphree

Kamp Kairphree is a co-ed day camp for ages 5-12. It operates Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. out of the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center. There are four two-week sessions. The camp rotates between EGCC and Greenwich Point. Campers go to Island Beach on Wednesdays.

Music, Art & Dance Camp

Music, Art & Dance Camp offers morning music sections, morning and afternoon art sections, and an afternoon dance section. Afternoon art and dance are only open to those enrolled in a morning section of music or art. The camp operates for five weeks at Greenwich High School.
Adventurers Camp

Adventurers is a co-ed day camp for ages 8-15. It operates Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. out of the Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center. There are two sessions, totaling seven weeks. The camp offers one special field trip per week and local beach days.

On a trial basis for the 2020 season, the Town of Greenwich Parks & Recreation is working with ePACT to securely collect participant health information and emergency contact details electronically for those who register for Adventurers Camp. ePACT replaces paper forms, making it easier for you to share critical information with us, and ensuring you can update information at any time. Learn more.
Summer Activities

Summer Baseball provides 3 playing divisions. The Pinto division for ages 6 & 7 and the Mustang division for ages 8 & 9 are co-ed. The Bronco division is for boys ages 10-12. Registration opens online May 4.

Information is available for Summer Ramp Camps and Clinics. Registration has begun online for summer. The Greenwich Skatepark located at the foot of Arch Street is currently closed.

Tennis Clinic Instruction for youth and adults begins in late spring, during the week of June 15. (We have canceled the first 2 weeks) Registration is open online. Additional information on tennis can be found on our website. Town tennis courts are currently closed.

Several opportunities exist for summer pickleball. For those with pickleball experience, you can register for play outdoors at Loughlin Ave. For those with limited or no experience, register for the pickleball clinic.

Information is available for Summer Swim Lessons. We are offering group lessons, private and semi-private lessons at the Town Pool in Byram Park. Online registration is available now for group lessons. Registration for private and semi-private lessons begins June 15.
Greenwich Seniors

The Greenwich Senior Center is currently closed. Their May Newsletter can be found on the Town website, along with other valuable information from the Commission on Aging.
Greenwich Farmers Market

The Greenwich Farmers Market will open for the 2020 season on Saturday, May 16 at the Horseneck Lane commuter lot at the corner of Arch Street. Hours for shoppers are from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The market is an essential business and can remain open, and it will do so in a safe shopping environment. Please read the important information on their website.
Fundraiser

Pollinator Pathways is a collaboration between the Conservation Commission, Parks & Recreation, and many other organizations and volunteers. They are having a fundraiser for the creation of its first section of Greenwich's Pollinator Pathway. Read more.
Special Event Cancellations or Postponements
These special events run by private organizations have been cancelled or postponed.
  • North Mianus PTA Carnival - postpone
  • K of C Flea Market - cancel
  • YMCA Gala Fundraiser - cancel
  • Riverside Elementary Run - cancel
  • OGRCC Bike Ride - cancel
  • Cos Cob PTA Fundraiser - cancel
  • Breast Cancer Allliance Run - cancel
  • Greenwich Town Party - postpone
  • SBVFD Memorial Day parade - cancel
  • Concours D’Elegance and Bonhams Auction – cancel
  • Greenwich Wine + Food 5K - postpone
  • Old Greenwich Arts Fair - postpone
  • Jr. League Touch a Truck - cancel
  • Cook Your Buns Run - cancel
  • CT Veterans Legal Center Bike Ride - cancel
  • Young Life Donut Dash - postpone
  • Shellfish Commission Experience the Sound – cancel
  • GEMS Kids Triathlon – cancel
  • ALS Tri State Trek - cancel
Cos Cob Community Preschool

Registration for the 2020-2021 Cos Cob Community Preschool school year is on-going. Remember to have your current proofs of residency updated in our system. Classes are held Monday-Friday, and operate from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at 54 Bible Street in Cos Cob. The Preschool is licensed by the State of CT and is reasonably priced. For information, send an email.
The Parks and Recreation Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to income eligible resident families for participation in youth activities. Scholarship applications must be submitted a minimum of 3 weeks prior to the start of the program.
Withdrawal Policy for Recreation Activities Other Than Day Camps
Credit requests for recreation program registration will be considered if received in writing prior to the start of the program. There is a $15.00 administrative fee for credits. The general policy of the Recreation Division is that we do not process refunds unless a program has been cancelled. Please read all registration information carefully and contact us prior to registering if you have any questions.
Parks and Recreation Foundation

The Greenwich Parks and Recreation Foundation was set up to receive donations, allowing the community citizens and businesses an avenue to donate to the Town of Greenwich Parks & Recreation projects and programs. The foundation is a 509 (a)(1).
Through the Parks & Recreation Foundation, one is able to donate to the Parks and Recreation Scholarship Fund.
Weather Cancellation Information

Please make note of the Recreation Division's weather cancellation hotline phone # 203-861-6100. Information regarding cancellations and closures is also posted on our Recreation Sports Website, where you can also sign up to get text alerts and /or emails notifying you of changes. The hotline phone # is updated before the website.
Stay Home, Be Counted
Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo is urging residents to use this moment of self-quarantine/social distancing to complete the 2020 Census. For the complete press release on the Greenwich Census update, click here.
Non-Discrimination and Event Accessibility

The Town complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination, equal opportunity, affirmative action, and providing reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to participate, please contact the Director of Human Services at 203-622-3800 or Alan.Barry@GreenwichCT.org as soon as possible or at least 10 days in advance of the event.
It is the Town of Greenwich’s policy to provide full, equal and nondiscriminatory access to its park facilities, beaches and recreation areas in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. The Town’s park facilities, beaches and recreation areas are open to all Town residents and other members of the general public admitted thereto in accordance with, and subject to, applicable state and federal laws, and ordinances, and regulations promulgated by the Director of Parks and Recreation and the Selectmen. It is the policy of the Town of Greenwich that all Town ordinances, regulations, policies and rules with respect to the Town’s park facilities, beaches and recreation areas are applied consistently without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, lawful source of income, mental retardation, mental disability or physical disability, including but not limited to blindness or deafness or any other legally protected classification.
Greenwich Parks & Recreation | Recreation Division | 203-618-7649 | Recreation@greenwichct.org