Manchester, NH – Below is a round-up of news from your city Parks and Recreation Department.
Saturday Basketball Program
Children from all Manchester schools ages 7 to 17 are welcome to attend the Saturday basketball program which started Dec. 3. An application is required for this drop-in program with no teams or standings held at the Beech Street School gym. An application can be filled out at the program or can be found online at the Parks and Recreation website. The age groups are as follows:
- 7-8: 9-10:30 a.m.
- 11-12: 1-2:30 p.m.
- 9-10: 10:30 a.m.– 12 p.m.
- 13-17: 2:30-4 p.m.
We are excited to continue this great program! For more info, email ebukowski@manchesternh.gov.
Youth Center Open
The Regis Lemaire Youth Center, 275 Maple St., will be open 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday for the month of December with some closures around the holidays. Children ages 9-15 can come use the computers, play games and socialize.
The center will be closed Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, 2o17. Applications available here.
For more info, email ebukowski@manchesternh.gov.
New England Tennis Weekend
The US Tennis Association presented the first annual New England Tennis Weekend held in Newport, RI, on Nov. 11-12 and Manchester Recreation was represented. Other attendees included owners and/or staff of private clubs & YMCAs, coaches from high schools, representatives from many youth organizations and USTA officials and staff.
West High School Athletic Complex
The West High School Athletic Complex is in need of renovations on the turf field, improvements in drainage and repair of the track surface. Soil testing and other investigatory work has begun recently at the site. The construction phase is scheduled to be bid out in January. We are hoping for completion of the project in the fall of 2017.
Manchester Community Market
The city has had representation on the farmer’s market board for many years but with changes in city personnel and with the market itself, Parks and Recreation now has a seat on the board of the revised Manchester Community Market. The market has undergone some changes in participation and leadership and is set to move the market forward with a new Market Manager. Traditionally set in Victory Park on Thursday afternoons for the last few years, the Manchester Community Market is looking to create partnerships with local restaurants thereby providing more local produce to create their culinary delights.
Walk for your Health
Walk For Your Health wrapped up the fall season and we are planning for the spring season already. Several volunteers have been running this program with help from city Recreation staff. This is reported to be one of the oldest running recreation programs in the city. Look for a press release about the 2017 season in the coming months.
Public Skating at JFK Coliseum
Public Skating is scheduled on Tuesday and Thursdays 9:30-11:30 a.m. (sorry, no skate rentals during weekday public skate) and Saturday and Sunday 2 – 4 p.m. Most Saturdays 8-10 p.m. as well. (Check the city website for specific dates.) Cost for students is $3; adults are $5.0 and skate rentals are $5. Cash only please, no credit or debit cards can be accepted.
Parks Decorates for the Holidays
The Parks staff completed many hours of preparations for the holiday season throughout the city. In the last few weeks, they have worked diligently to place holiday lights in and around the downtown area. They also decorated the tree at the Massabesic Traffic Circle for the tree lighting ceremony held Friday November 26.
Continuing Progress at Victory Park
We have almost completed the final projects at Victory Park for this year. Granite posts and chains have been installed for some beautiful finishing touches. Fall clean-up has been done at this park and at all other parks in the city.
Heal NH
Heal NH’s Healthy People Healthy Places initiative focuses on improving healthy recreation in public areas. Manchester was chosen as one of the nine towns across the state to be studied. The Active Recreation Inventory was just completed and we hope to use the information to continue working with Heal NH to improve access to our public recreation areas.
Lifeguards Needed for Summer 2017
We need lifeguards! Recruitment is starting early for lifeguards for the city pools so start thinking now of next summer. If you are at least 17 years old and a strong swimmer, please consider signing up for an American Red Cross course offered in the area. We plan to offer one prior to the start of the season, so contact us if you are interested or need information.
Adopt-a-Site areas available and waiting for your help! Great project for school or workplace groups to volunteer. Check the city website for available locations, or call 603-624-6444.
Have a great holiday. See you in the city parks in 2017! You can follow Manchester Parks and Rec Department on Facebook.
