Creating community through people, parks & programs.
Parks, Recreation & Waterfront
April Newsletter
Greetings!
Our facilities are currently CLOSED through April 12. This is in an effort to protect our staff, patrons and the greater community from the spread of COVID-19. The plan is to reassess as we get closer to April 12 on the potential of extending the closure further, in which we will be in communication. We here at the Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Department are hoping you are staying safe and healthy during this challenging time. We miss seeing our facilities full of people exercising and enjoying themselves.

The South Portland Community Center is currently CLOSED to the public but
beginning, Monday, March 30, there will be a staff member working at the front desk between the hours of 7:00am - 7:00pm, Monday - Friday to assist you over the phone in any way they can. Call - 767-7650.
Community Resources
Visit the City of South Portland www.southportland.org/community for a comprehensive list of local information and available resources including important information on COVID-19, grocery pick up and delivery options, school meals, and more.
Program Cancellations & Refunds
Staff have been working on cancelling programs and issuing credits and refunds. If you have not heard about a program you were recently enrolled in or have questions please contact our Community Center front desk at 767-7650 between the hours listed above.
Playgrounds Closed
For the health and safety of all community members, we have closed all City & School playgrounds until further notice.

City parks, beaches and tennis courts remain open for now but users are required to practice social distancing techniques as ordered by the Governor. These may be closed if social distancing is not being carefully followed.
Practice Social Distancing in Parks & Trails
Stay tuned for some Virtual Rec Programming!
Recreation staff are currently putting together some great virtual recreation programs and activities to be aired next week on our Facebook Page . We are committed to keep creating community and enhance the quality of life for the people of South Portland through through these interesting times. A schedule will be emailed weekly with new content. Make sure you are following our page!

Have a great idea or resource you’d like to share? Email Anthony Johnson at ajohnson@southportland.org .
Update on Swim Lessons & Pool Programs
Due to the Community Center and pool being closed through 4/12, we are hoping to host a partial session of swim lessons, which would begin the week of 4/13. Partial credits for this modified session would be placed onto participants accounts. If the City decides to extend the closure beyond April 12, we will be cancelling all current swim programs.   
 
These classes would be all of our youth and preschool swim lessons, Parent and Child classes, diving lessons, Saturday Stroke Refinement class and Adult beginner swim lessons.
 
If you would like to cancel out of your current lesson now, please call the Community Center at 767-7650 to have your refund processed. We completely understand if you choose to do this.
 
At this time, we would like to proceed with our Tuesday AM and Thursday PM Stroke Refinement clinics as a full session. We would begin these classes when SPCC re-opens and plan to run for the allotted 7 weeks, which may push the lessons into June. Folks registered for the Saturday AM Stroke Refinement class can receive a partial refund or may chose to join the Tuesday AM or Thursday PM classes. Call the desk and ask for this switch to be made, if that works in your schedule. 
 
RipTide and RT+ Spring Sessions:
  • RipTide Spring session evaluation - moved to Tuesday, April 14th at 6pm.
  • RipTide Spring registration - moved to Wednesday, April 15th (residents) starting at 7am and Thursday, April 16th (non-res) also starting at 7am.
  • RT+ will have a delayed start to Monday, April 13th. 
  • Registration will be Wednesday, 4/8 starting at 7am for residents.
  • Registration will be Thursday, 4/9 starting at 7am for non-residents.
Summer Rec Camp Financial Aid Application
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 10th
New Application Deadline - Friday, April 10, 2020
Financial Assistance applications for Rec Camps grades K-8 ONLY must be completed and turned in at the South Portland Community Center on or before Friday, April 10, 2020. Forms may be mailed to the Community Center at 21 Nelson Road, South Portland or emailed directly to Robert Carter at rcarter@southportland.org .

Financial Assistance forms can be obtained HERE

If you are requesting financial aid for any program other than Rec Camp, you MUST fill out the Nathan Savage Scholarship Application.
Spring/Summer Brochure Information
The online version of our 2020 Spring/Summer Brochure is due out on April 3 for viewing only. Staff have been hard at work planning programs for this upcoming season. We are still uncertain on how COVID-19 will unfold and affect our programming, and we may need to cancel future programs due to this pandemic. 

  • Recreation program registration (excluding pool programs) begins on April 20 for residents and April 23 for non-residents. 
  • Swim Program registration begins on June 8 for residents and June 11 for non-residents. 
  • NEW - if we are still closed come April 20, we WILL be accepting registrations over the phone during this time. Per usual, you may also register online at www.sopoparksrec.com.
South Portland Parks, Recreation & Waterfront
21 Nelson Road
South Portland, ME 04106
(207)767-7650