Parks & Recreation Commission

CHESTER PARKS AND RECREATION

Celebrating Community

through People, Parks and Programs!

e-mail parkrec@chesterct.org or call 526-0013, extension 223

OUTDOOR, SOCIAL DISTANCING COMPLIENT PROGRAMS TO ENJOY NOW!

Program registration and releases may be dropped off, and hard copies obtained, at the Town Hall (9:00-4:00) and Cedar Lake (10:30-2:30 or 3:30-7:30), weather permitting.

YOGA ON THE MEETING HOUSE GREEN space is limited.

Annette Babek is offering outdoor Yoga on the Chester Meeting House Green, FREE OF CHARGE, on Tuesdays at 6:00pm, weather permitting, beginning August 11. The ending date is to be determined. Bring a mask, mat, and water bottle. link to this form to register: Yoga release

OUTDOOR KARATE FOR CHILDREN 3 spaces left!

Karate for children ages 5 through 12, accompanied by an adult on site, will be held in the back field at North Quarter Park, with instructor Tammy Marino. The schedule includes make-up days for weather cancellations. The program is $47 for 5 classes on Mondays and Wednesdays August 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 with make-up days on August 26 and 31. Bring a mask and water bottle. link to register: Karate registration

STORYTIME WITH THE CHESTER LIBRARY AT NORTH QUARTER PARK

The Chester Librarians will be hosting Storytime on Mondays at 10:30 and Storytime with Music and Movement on Fridays at 10:30 at North Quarter Park, beginning August 10. There will also be a “grab and go” craft available at the Library on Wednesdays! Contact the Chester Library for more information or to register.

For SAFETY, CHILDREN under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult at Cedar Lake and all Town parks.

The North Quarter Park Basketball Court is ready for PLAY, but DO NOT PARK AUTOMOBILES OR USE BICYCLES, SCOOTERS, OR SKATEBOARDS ON IT. The equipment is not disinfected, so please sanitize your hands before and after use if you choose to use the backboards and court.

CEDAR LAKE MODIFICATIONS:

The Chester Park and Recreation Commission has opened Pelletier Park on Cedar Lake for Chester residents with a driver’s license and Chester public access sticker on their vehicle (Public access stickers may be obtained from the Town Clerk’s office.) or nonresident park pass holders, and their guests. We have been continuously monitoring the number of passes we may accommodate, based on capacity and social distancing requirements this summer. At this time we have reached our 2020 capacity level and are not able to safely distribute any additional nonresident passes.

Please realize for the safety of all citizens and staff members, many modifications are required. Household groups of 6 or fewer, may enjoy the park in an assigned area from 10:30am until 2:30pm or 3:30pm until 7:30pm, weather permitting. Patrons will be required to provide identification, bring their own hand sanitizer, and wear a face covering when entering and exiting the gate, and moving about the facility, except when entering and exiting the water.

Social distancing will be required in and out of the water. The only floatation items allowed are life jackets for non-swimmer children with adult supervision. Cooking will not be permitted. Additional rules will be explained when checking in at the gate.

Please be patient as we navigate our new requirements. The safety of our community is always our primary goal.

2020 Modified Rules for Cedar Lake

NORTH QUARTER PARK:

North Quarter Park is open, however, please note that playground equipment and all other surfaces are not regularly disinfected. To minimize risk for all, visitors are encouraged to bring their own disinfectant and wipe down play surfaces used before and after contact. Social distancing is required, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Please avoid equipment and workers during renovations to the park.

Stay safe and healthy, and respect the safety of others by practicing social distancing and wearing a mask in public.

This is a clue to answer the last North Quarter Park question.

“I SPY CHESTER…….MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE”.

Exercise your body and your mind! Take a walk guided by our map and puzzle sheet. Visit one, or all six locations in one day. They are within walking distance of Main Street. Enjoy the beautiful weather and learn about our Town with an activity for all ages.

(If you want the answers you may access them HERE.)

MAKE A SPLASH NEXT SUMMER!

We are an outdoor program specializing in waterfront activities!

Our Camp Counselors are Certified Lifeguards.

SUMMER CAMP IS OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF ALL AREA TOWNS!

Pay for any program or make a donation with this button.

**When paying for Summer Camp with PayPal, please add $5 PER WEEK, PER CHILD, to defray our cost for this service.**

NATURE & ART on Mondays, SWIMMING, WATER SAFETY, COOPERATION PROJECTS & OUTDOOR COOKING on Tuesdays, SWIMMING & TEAM CHALLENGES on Wednesdays, SCIENCE & ART on Thursdays, FIELD TRIPS on Fridays, SPORTS, CRAFTS, GAMES, & FUN every day!

Our SUMMER CAMP rivals any camp in the area! We offer swimming, sports, science & nature, arts & crafts, team building, and more, but unlike many camps, children choose most of what they wish to participate in throughout the day from a variety of programmed activities. The hours are from 8:15am until 3:45pm at Chester Elementary School on Mondays, Thursdays, and severe weather days, and Cedar Lake on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If the camp meets at the school on Tuesday or Wednesday due to weather, Thursday camp will be held at the lake that week. The children take field trips on Fridays. The fee per child, per week, is $140.

The week of June 28 is ADVENTURE CAMP, a premium week with 2 field trips for students entering grades 5 through 8, only. The fee is $225 for the week.

The weeks of July 12 and August 16 are open to campers entering grades 2 through 7.

The weeks of July 5, 19, August 2, and 9 are open to children entering grades K through 6. KINDER-CAMP & 1* is a separate program for children ENTERING, AND JUST COMPLETING, KINDERGARTEN. It features staff and programming designed specifically to meet the needs of younger children. Activities include games, sports, crafts, nature, music and movement, teacher led swimming, and story time. The children have their own teachers, lunch time, and activities in their own group running concurrently with our grades 2 through 6 camp, at the same location the weeks of July 5, 19, August 2, and 9.

Our camp fee includes all program and field trip expenses, except lunch. Children do not need to be Chester residents to attend. The fee is $140 per week.

This is a clue to answer the last North Quarter Park question.

“I SPY CHESTER…….MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE”.

Exercise your body and your mind! Take a walk guided by our map and puzzle sheet. Visit one, or all six locations in one day. They are within walking distance of Main Street. Enjoy the beautiful weather and learn about our Town with an activity for all ages.

(If you want the answers you may access them HERE.)

Cedar Lake 2020 Summer Season

Please see 2020 restrictions at the top of this page.

The Town Beaches on Cedar Lake are open for the 2020 season with modified operations detailed at the top of this page. It is the policy of the Chester Park and Recreation Commission that access to the Town parks, including the beaches on Cedar Lake, is by permit only. Vehicles of residents parked at Town facilities must display a public access sticker, which is available at the Town Clerk’s Office. Non-residents must display a parking pass on their vehicles and show their pass and identification when entering a staffed facility. Residents and pass holders may bring up to six people, but must accompany them. Groups of 10 or more must make reservations in advance by submitting a completed group use application at the bottom of this page, a certificate of insurance to the Town, and pay a group fee. Groups are not being scheduled during the 2020 season due to the coronavirus restrictions.

Please note that watercraft* are no longer be permitted at Pelletier Park while lifeguards are on duty. For access to Cedar Lake please use alternate launch areas at the Town Beach across from Lakeview Avenue or the State Boat Launch on Bishop Road.

*including – but not limited to – kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, row boats, and inflatables

Cedar Lake

The Town of Chester owns Cedar Lake and maintains two public beaches on its shores. The area of the lake is about 80 acres and is fed by two springs and two inlet streams with outflow into the Pattaconk Brook. The lake is about 60 feet deep in the middle. The Town owns approximately one third of the shore. Another third is owned by Camp Hazen YMCA. The remainder is private residences and State owned property, including a boat launch. Chester’s main beach, on West Main Street, has a 50,000 square foot swimming area that is as deep as 20 feet in one corner during the spring. The park at the shore is named Robert H. Pelletier Park in memory of the Chester resident who was the Head Lifeguard for more than two decades. The area is 0.7 acres and includes seasonal lifeguard coverage, picnic tables, a pavilion, grills, and a food concession. The smaller beach is located on Cedar Lake Road. It is unstaffed and has no designated swimming area. The beaches require patrons to have a permit. Details and prices may be found on the Fee Schedule.

North Quarter Park

North Quarter Park is a 22 acre, multi-use facility, located at the corner of Main Street and Middlesex Avenue. It includes a playground, picnic area, volleyball net, baseball field, and an open field in a wooded setting. The northern section of the park has a well-maintained .5 mile nature trail loop. The end of the trail offers beautiful views of the wildlife and habitat of the Chester Creek. A variety of water fowl, birds, and vegetation can be seen along the trail and in the creek.

Parker’s Point Boat Launch

This .6 acre boat launch facility is located at the end of Parker’s Point Road on the Connecticut River. It offers boat trailer parking and a picnic area with a beautiful view. The shore is a favorite winter eagle viewing location. A permit is required for parking. Details and prices may be found on the Park Fee Schedule

Chester Creek Overlook

The overlook is a waterfront spot with a .4 acre deck, seating area, and parking lot on the Chester Creek, just a stone’s throw from the Connecticut River. It is located at the end of Railroad Avenue. The Town dock at the overlook houses marine rescue and law enforcement watercraft.

L’Hommedieu Park

This old mill site is located on Spring Street, along the Pattaconk Brook. It is a peaceful setting with a dam, rushing waters, a picnic table, and views of Mallards, Wood Ducks, Great Blue Heron, and beavers. An historical narrative is posted at the park.

Chester Elementary School Baseball Fields

Three baseball fields are maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department at Chester Elementary School, on Ridge Road. This property was originally donated to the Town in 1928 by Jessie C. Bates, Hilton C. Brooks, and William P. Holden for athletic fields. The fields may be available for group usage by submitting the “Group Application for Unstaffed Park Usage”, below.

PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU NOTICE A PROBLEM OR HAVE A CONCERN REGARDING ONE OF OUR PARKS!

860 526-0013 extension 223 or e-mail: parkrec@chesterct.org