MANCHESTER, NH – The city’s Parks & Recreation Department is in many ways the heart and soul of the city, with oversight over everything from city-run parks and programs, to our cemeteries.
The following is a round-up of news from the Parks & Rec Department’s winter newsletter:
OVER 2000 FACEBOOK LIKES!
Have you liked the Manchester Parks & Recreation Department on Facebook yet? Currently they have 2000 likes, but in a city of 110,000 they are hoping to build followers so you can stay updated with regular updates, and it’s a great way to keep up with what is going on around the city, from skating on Dorr’s Pond and grooming of the city’s cross-country trails, to updates youth programming. Check it out here.
LIFEGUARDS NEEDED FOR SUMMER
The Parks & Rec Department is hiring summer lifeguards for city pools this summer. If you are at least 17 years old and a strong swimmer, consider signing up for a lifeguard certification course offered in the area. There are courses at SNHU and UNH as well as in Salem and Nashua. Check Swim NH and UNH-Durham websites for course details.
VICTORY PARK UPDATE
New LED lights have been installed at Victory Park, which include occupancy sensors. When anyone enters the park the lights go from low level to full brightness. The renovation of this park has taken many months but the new look has caught the eye of residents & local businesses.
RAIL TRAIL PROJECTS
The city has received an $800,000 Transportation Alternatives Project (TAP) grant having an 80/20 match in order to extend the Rockingham Rail Trail, extending the Rail Trail from Mammoth Road to Lakeshore Road. There are two other areas of rail trails the city is working on to develop more projects – follow along on Facebook for updates.
SATURDAY BASKETBALL CONTINUES
After six weeks the Saturday Basketball program is still going strong. As always, children from Manchester Schools ages 7-17 are welcome to attend the Saturday Basketball Program. It is a great opportunity to practice skills, or play pick-up games. Applications are available on the Parks and Recreation website. The age breakdown is as follows:
Age 7-8: 9- 10:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Age 9-10: 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Age 11 – 12: 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Age 13-17: 2:30- 4 p.m.
YOUTH CENTER SCHEDULE FOR FEBRUARY
The Regis Lemaire Youth Center, located on Maple Street, will be open 3-6 p.m. on Mon., Tues., Thurs. and 4-6 p.m. on Wed. and Fri. for the month of February. Children ages 9-15 are welcome. The center will be closed Feb. 2o.
IRRIGATION AT DUPONT SPLASH PARK
The Parks staff is usually busy during the winter with snow removal at all the schools, as well as in the parks. When there is a break like this winter, they are able to work on projects, like installing the irrigation for the grassy areas at the DuPont Splash Park.
WINTERFEST 2017
Winterfest 2017 is on the horizon and the Parks and Recreation will be taking part again. Winterfest is hosted by the Office of Youth Services for children in Manchester during February vacation. It takes place during February School Vacation and is open to families and children all over Manchester. For more info contact ebukowski@manchesternh.gov Offerings include:
- Public Ice Skating at JFK 2/27- 3/3, 2-4 p.m.
- Intro to Disc Golf at Beech St. School 2/27
- 3v3 Basketball Tourney 2/28 – 3/2
- Free Throw Contest – 3/3, 10-12 at Beech St. School For more info contact
- ebukowski@manchesternh.gov
GEORGE “BUTCH” JOSEPH DEDICATION
One of the newly built locker rooms at the JFK Coliseum was dedicated to George “Butch” Joseph, longtime city Athletic Director, on Jan. 9.
SKATING AT DORR’S POND OPENS THIS WEEKEND
THIS JUST IN: Open for skating Sat and Sun. Feb. 4 and 5 from 8 a.m.-4:30.p.m.
PARTNERSHIP WITH 21st CENTURY
Parks and Recreation is partnering with 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which run after school programming in eight of the 14 city elementary schools during the school year. Parks and Rec will be at Hallsville and Gossler schools during Session 3 from January – April offering Flag Football for kids this session and plan to offer a variety of activities at all the schools in future sessions on a rotating basis.
