February 14, 2020
Your semi-monthly Recreation activities information.
GREETINGS!

Winter programs are winding down and spring is just around the corner. Information is available and registration has begun online for many youth spring sports and swim lessons. We have a plethora of pickleball opportunities for adults, as well. Read below for information on skatepark programs, summer camps, tennis activities, and seasonal job opportunities. Greenwich residents may now purchase single use admission tickets online for use at the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink; read more below. For residents in financial need, scholarships are available for youth programs. The Parks and Recreation Office will be CLOSED on Monday, February 17 for Presidents' Day.

Additional information on programs and facilities may be found on our website; please click on the button below! The Department reserves the right to photograph users of our facilities and activities for publicity purposes. 
Greenwich Recreation... We make your free time, fun time!

Best Regards,
Sue Snyder, Recreation Superintendent
Our Spring Swim Lesson Program will once again be held at the Greenwich Boys and Girls Club located at 4 Horseneck Lane in Greenwich. Group swim lessons will be offered for youth ages 4 and up. Private and semi-private lessons are also available. Parents can spend some time in the water with their toddlers, as well. Lessons will be held on 8 Saturdays beginning March 21. Register now online!

Youth and Adult Tennis Clinic Instruction

Tennis Clinic Instruction begins in late Spring during the first week of June. Registration opens online on April 1. Additional information on tennis can be found on our website.
Players can drop-in to play at the BWGCC several days per week. For those interested in learning the sport, Instructional Clinics will be offered this spring at Loughlin Avenue courts. We also offer Spring Outdoor Pickleball at Loughlin Avenue courts and Spring Indoor Pickleball at EGCC. Please register soon to get a spot!

Pickleball Round Robin

Registration has just opened for the 6th annual doubles Pickleball Round Robin Tournament which will be held at EGCC on Saturday, March 28. For more information and to register, click here. The tournament is for intermediate or advanced teams. Men's and women's teams consisting of two players must register to participate. Don't delay in registering, as enrollment is limited!
Dorothy Hamill Ice Skating Rink

Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink single admission tickets will be available online beginning Friday, February 14, 2020, for those who verified their Greenwich residency for the year. Greenwich residents are required to provide proof of residency once per calendar year beginning January 1, for all Parks and Recreation programs. Tickets are for one time use and only valid February 18, 2020 through March 14, 2020. Tickets must be presented at the rink, either printed or on a phone to be scanned.

The Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink located at Sue Merz Way is open for public skating and for private rentals for another month. Download the full public session schedule. The Fall/Winter 2019-2020 Program Brochure provides information on rink hours, programs, ice rental, fees, and much more.

The Greenwich Town Skating Competition will be held on Sunday, February 16, 2020. There are NO public sessions on this date, but you are welcome to come and watch!
Our Spring Fever Skate Jam for ages 6 and up will be held on Saturday, April 4. The event is free, but participants must register. Registration is open for Spring Skateboard Clinics to be held at the Greenwich Skatepark located at the foot of Arch Street. Information is now available for Summer Ramp Camps and Clinics. Registration begins April 1 for summer.
Youth Soccer

Mighty Mites Spring Soccer is available for youth ages 3-9 on Saturdays at Benvenuto Field in Cos Cob Park. There are separate times for age groups. Registration is now open online.

In cooperation with Soccer Extreme, we are also offering soccer clinics on Fridays or Mondays. Separate time sessions are available for ages 4&5, 6-8, and 9-12. A striker clinic will also be held on Mondays for ages 8-11. Download the flyer.
Youth T-Ball, Softball, and Baseball

We have several opportunities for youth spring sports. Co-ed T-ball is for ages 4-5. Children 6 years old can play Small Fry I Baseball and children 7 years old can play Small Fry II Baseball. Junior Softball is available for girls ages 7-8. Junior Baseball is available for ages 8-9. Girls ages 9-14 can participate in Babe Ruth Softball. Register online here.

Sponsors Welcome

Greenwich Recreation is always appreciative of any person or organization wishing to sponsor a special event or on-going recreation activity. Read more.
Community Garden Sign Up Days

The Greenwich Community Gardens is holding sign up days on Saturday, March 7 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Sunday, March 8 from 1 - 4 p.m. at the Cos Cob Firehouse, 2nd floor. For information, contact info@greenwichcommunitygardens.org or call 203-340-0327.
2020 Snow Sculpture Contest

It's time to start planning for the next snowfall in Greenwich! Submit a photo of your best snow sculpture by March 6 to enter the 2020 Snow Sculpture Contest.
Information is now available for our three summer day camps, Kamp Kairphree, Adventurers, and Music, Art & Dance Camp. Registration opens online April 1. Download our 2020 Summer Brochure, which also contains information on summer swim lessons, soccer clinics, and skatepark activities.

REMEMBER current proofs of Greenwich residency must be provided and verified for 2020 prior to registering for camp or other recreation activities. Send in your proofs now; don't wait until you wish to register!
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.
Cos Cob Community Preschool

Registration for the 2020-2021 Cos Cob Community Preschool school year has begun. 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.
Scholarships for Youth

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.
Eastern Greenwich Civic Center

We are pleased to share the announcement that the Architectural Design Contract has been awarded for EGCC.

EGCC has several on-going programs including Stroller Strides, Greenwich Archery, Wednesday Painters, Pickleball, and more. Call 203-637-4583 for open gym hours. Roller skating takes place on Fridays, February 14, 21, 28. EGCC will also be hosting basketball and lacrosse clinics. For more information on activities in February and March, download the February Newsletter.

The EGCC has rooms of varying sizes available to rent for your next party, meeting, or class! Call us at 203-637-4583 or contact us by email. Download a Civic Center Brochure. The EGCC is located at 90 Harding Road in Old Greenwich.
Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center

Youth ages 6-10 can register for Youth Golf Clinics which will be held on 5 Friday afternoons. Learn to fence from Olympians! Open enrollment continues for the Tim Morehouse Fencing Club. BWGCC hosts many programs of The Dance Pointe throughout the year.

Zumba classes are offered on several weekdays at varying times. Boot Camp sessions are available Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pickleball is offered for adults on a drop-in basis.

Open gym hours are available; see the schedule on our website. For general program information, download the BWGCC Brochure. The BWGCC is available for rent and located at 449 Pemberwick Road; phone 203-532-1259.
Recreation Job Opportunities
The Town is now accepting applications for some spring and summer job positions. Download information on Summer Seasonal Positions and Fall, Winter, & Spring Seasonal Positions. Apply for jobs online here.
Special Recreation

The Stamford JCC offers inclusion programs throughout the year. Take a look at their winter inclusion programs and Hand in Hand summer day camp.
Senior Center News

The Commission on Aging, manages the Greenwich Senior Center located at 299 Greenwich Avenue, which has many wonderful recreation programs. Download the recent newsletter.
Health Department News

The Health Department wants to make you aware that winter is the best time to test your home for radon gas. Through the end of February, you can get a test kit for a reduced fee.
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.
Parks & Recreation Department Wide News...
The Parks and Recreation Office at Town Hall is generally open for business hours on weekdays from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m . The Parks and Recreation Office at Town Hall will be closed Monday, February 17 for Presidents' Day. For information on park, beach, and tennis passes, click here. You can also call 203-622-7817 or email gnpnr@greenwichct.org. For complete information on rules and regulations of Parks and Recreation, click here for the Greenwich Town Code, Chapter 7.

The next meeting of the Board of Parks and Recreation will be on February 26, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parks and Recreation Conference Room at Town Hall. Much additional information can be found by viewing the Parks and Recreation page of the Town Website.

J oseph Siciliano, Director of Parks and Recreation
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