Parks & Recreation Commission

CHESTER PARKS AND RECREATION

Celebrating Community

through People, Parks and Programs!

e-mail parkrec@chesterct.org or call 526-0013 x223

HOW TO PLAY DISC GOLF & NORTH QUARTER PARK COURSE DIAGRAM: Disc Golf Map & Instructions

Beginner 2-disc sets are available to borrow or purchase for $10 from Chester Parks and Recreation. Call or e-mail the contact information above.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION Fiscal Year 2019/2020

Town parks are currently not available for group use.

For SAFETY, CHILDREN under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult at Cedar Lake and all Town parks. Remember! PARK EQIPMENT IS NOT DISINFECTED. PLEASE SANITIZE YOUR HANDS BEFORE AND AFTER USE.

Stay safe and healthy, and respect the safety of others. Practice social distancing and wear a mask in public, including in OUR PARKS.

The Bates (B) field at Chester Elementary School is closed for repair until further notice. The Brooks (A) field and Holden (C) field are available for school and individual use.

Please observe the new parking configuration and entrance to North Quarter Park. Vehicles are permitted only in the parking lot. All other areas of the park are not open to public traffic, including the access road to the disc golf course.

DO NOT leave litter or any materials in our facilities. AUTOMOBILES, BICYCLES, SCOOTERS, and SKATEBOARDS are not permitted on the Basketball Court, Disc Golf Course, or Playground.

HOW TO PLAY DISC GOLF & COURSE DIAGRAM: Disc Golf Map & Instructions

A starter disc set of two discs, with a putter and midrange/driver, is available from the Chester Parks and Recreation Department for $10. Please e-mail parkrec@chesterct.org or leave a voicemail message at 860-526-0013, x223 if you are interested in a purchase.

Look for future programs when we may return to outdoor offerings. Swimming Lessons, Craft Programs, Science Projects, Lacrosse, and more, are being planned as socially distant and safe programs for 2021. IN THE MEANTIME, ENJOY OUR PARKS!

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. Learn about our Town with an activity for all ages.

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

YOGA ON THE MEETING HOUSE GREEN is not resuming until further notice.

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

When parking at Pelletier Park or Lakeview Park on Cedar Lake, or Parkers Point Boat Launch on the Connecticut River, please display the Chester public access sticker on your vehicle (Public access stickers may be obtained from the Town Clerk’s office.) or the nonresident parking pass that was distributed to nonresident pass holders.

2020 Modified Rules for Cedar Lake

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.

Lifeguards are no longer on duty until June of 2021, at the Town Beaches on Cedar Lake. When visiting the beach parks, for safety, please abide by the modified operations for 2020 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 currently not being scheduled due to the coronavirus restrictions.

Please note that watercraft* are not 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, basketball court, 9-hole disc golf course, and two open fields 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

ACCORDING TO CONNECTICUT GENERAL STATUTE 19a-77 WE ARE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE THAT TOWN OF CHESTER PROGRAMS ARE NOT LICENSED BY THE STATE OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD.

PARK INFORMATION:

Ordinance Concerning the Use of Town Parks and Beaches

Michael Abramson, Chairman

Ivey Gianetti
Deron Grabel
John Saunders
Michael Abramson
Dawn Saunders
Kurt Ziemann
John Williams

COMMISSION MEETING RECORDS:

January 11, 2021 Agenda|Minutes

October 26, 2020 Agenda Minutes

September 14, 2020 Agenda|Minutes

May 21, 2020 Agenda|Minutes

May 11, 2020 Cancellation

March 30, 2020 Cancellation

February 10, 2020 Agenda|Minutes

January 13, 2020 Agenda|Minutes

October 28, 2019 Agenda|Minutes

September 16, 2019 Minutes

May 20, 2019 Cancellation

April 29, 2019 Agenda/Minutes

March 4, 2019 Agenda|Minutes

January 14, 2019 Agenda|Minutes

October 24, 2018 Agenda|Minutes
September 26, 2018 Agenda|Minutes
September 25, 2018 Cancelled
July 9, 2018 Minutes
April 30, 2018 Agenda|Minutes
March 21, 2018 Agenda
February 12, 2018 Cancellation
January 8, 2018 Agenda|Minutes with Proposed 2018/2019 Budget

2017

2016

2015

November 4, 2015 Agenda|Cancellation, September 30, 2015 Cancellation, June 24, 2015 Agenda|Minutes, April 1, 2015 Minutes, February 4, 2015 Agenda|Minutes January 14, 2015 Agenda

2014

October 29, 2014 Minutes September 10, 2014 Minutes Agenda October 29, 2014 September 10, 2014 Agenda June 21, 2014 Minutes June 21, 2014 Agenda March 26, 2014 Agenda|Minutes February 19, 2014 Agenda|Minutes Agenda 02 05 2014 Agenda 01 15 2014

2013

2012

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