June 1, 2020
Your semi-monthly Recreation activities information.
GREETINGS,

We hope that you and your families are in good health. While the past few months have been very challenging, we at Greenwich Parks and Recreation are relieved to be making some strides in a long road ahead of re-opening some facilities and programs. We have been planning and revising or planning and canceling many programs. We are closely following all information from the Governor's Office and the Office of the First Selectman. 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 restrictions or guidelines provided by the Office of the First Selectman, 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.

Some tennis courts and the Greenwich Skatepark are now open. We will be holding some pickleball programs this summer and two of our day camps, as well. Other programs are still questionable at this time. In cooperation with Filmmakers Ink, we are providing information on filmmaking classes for youth, during the spring and summer. For the latest news on parks, beaches, and The Griff Golf Course, refer to the First Selectman's press releases on the Town's website.

The Parks and Recreation Office at Town Hall is only open by appointment. Most business can be done online. Office staff are available by email. Feel free to contact us. Both the Eastern and Western Civic Centers, the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink, and both the Cos Cob and William Yantorno Community Centers are still closed.

Best Regards,
Sue Snyder, Recreation Superintendent
Tennis Courts Re-opening - Revised
As of Saturday, May 30, the tennis courts at Byram, Bruce, Binney, and Loughlin Avenue Parks and Greenwich High School are open, weather permitting, on a daily basis from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. subject to the following rules:

  • Social distancing of at least 6 feet must be maintained at all times when on the property including in the parking lot. Immediately leave the property after your visit.
  • Everyone must have a cloth face covering or higher level of protection whenever close contact is unavoidable while using the park/school facilities.
  • Singles and doubles tennis is permitted. Pickleball is permitted at Loughlin Avenue courts.
  • Since there are limited courts available, we strongly recommend that everyone makes a reservation before playing.
  • Residents with a valid 2020 tennis pass may reserve a court online, one day in advance at: www.greenwichct.gov/webtrac
  • Residents who have not yet obtained a 2020 pass, but do have a 2019 tennis pass, may email a request for a court reservation up until 3 p.m. three days in advance of the desired play date to: tennis@greenwichct.org
  • In addition to the above, all other regular tennis court rules apply
  • Town of Greenwich tennis court monitors will be at the courts to ensure rule compliance by all players.
For your health and safety, please follow the Player Tips and Recommendations of the USTA.

Tennis Clinic Instruction for youth and adults will begin the week of June 15. (We have canceled the first 2 weeks). We will be reducing the class size to half of the usual rate, with only 6 participants per class. Registration is open online. Additional information on tennis can be found on our website.
Summer Pickleball - Revised
Greenwich Recreation has two opportunities for pickleball play this summer. Online registration is now open for a Pickleball Instructional Clinic, for those who want to learn to play the game. Those who already have experience playing can register for Summer Pickleball to play on one, two, or three days per week. There is no drop-in permitted for either program.

COVID-19 PROCEDURES - All participants must wear a mask. Enrollment will be limited.
As a result of COVID-19, 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 the CT Office of Early Childhood and CDC guidelines. Additionally, all campers and camp staff must have their temperature taken prior to each camp day. Staff are required to wear masks, and campers should bring one each day as there will be times when they will need to wear it. Neither camp will be taking the ferry to Island Beach this summer. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols will be followed. Many fun activities and special events are still being planned for both camps. Also, everyone participating must sign and return an Informed Consent form.
Camp registration is open online for two of our summer day camps, Kamp Kairphree and Adventurers. Unfortunately, we had to cancel Music, Art and Dance Camp.

REMEMBER current proofs of Greenwich residency must be provided and verified for 2020 prior to registering for camp or other recreation activities

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.

      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. For the first three weeks of Adventurers, there will be no field trips. We need to be certain any field trip locations are open and have specific measures in place to operate safely. To take the place of some other field trips that were planned, campers may go to some parks in Greenwich for a picnic, or to play tennis, or some other activity.

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.
Greenwich Skatepark
The skatepark is now open weekdays from 3:30-7 p.m. and weekends from 12:30-7 p.m., weather permitting. Access to the skatepark is subject to the following rules. Aside from the normal safety equipment required for skaters, face masks are also required to be worn. Plus, there is a limit of 8 skaters in the park at one time. More information can be found here.
Click here for Summer Ramp Camps and Clinics registration form.
Greenwich Seniors

The Greenwich Senior Center is currently closed. Their June 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 is open for the 2020 season each Saturday, through November 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.

Due to the coronavirus, the following is required:
Only one or two family members should come to the market. Social Distancing must be practiced. Customers must wear masks and gloves. Observe entrance and exit signs.
Your cooperation is needed in order for the market to operate in a safe shopping environment. To pre-order from certain vendors and for important information, please visit their website.
Special Event Cancellations or Postponements

  • Greenwich Wine + Food 5K - postpone
  • Old Greenwich Arts Fair - postpone
  • Jr. League Touch a Truck - cancel
  • Cook Your Buns - 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
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