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CHESTER PARKS AND RECREATION
Celebrating Community
through People, Parks and Programs!
e-mail parkrec@chesterct.org or call 526-0013 x223
Stay safe and healthy, and respect the safety of others. Practice social distancing. When you can’t, please wear a mask in public, including while you ENJOY OUR PARKS.
2021 Children’s Full and Half Day Summer Program Registration and Information
Enjoy safe, outdoor only, children’s summer activities with programs for those entering grades 2 through 6. Registration is limited to 12 participants per activity. Sign-up for a half-day in the morning or afternoon, or add the lunch hour and join the fun all day! These programs are open to Chester residents only, until March 31st. Registration will be available to those from other towns beginning April 1st.
AVAILABILITY
June 21, 22, 23 Basketball: 8 spaces
June 21, 22, 23 Crafts: 10 spaces
June 28, 29, 30 Disc Golf: 7 spaces
June 28, 29, 30 Science: 6 spaces
July 12, 13, 14 Lacrosse: 6 spaces
July 12, 13, 14 Woodcraft & Nature: 3 spaces
July 19, 20, 21 Soccer/Hockey/Croquet: 2 spaces
July 19, 20, 21 Crafts: 6 spaces
August 2, 3, 4 Basketball: 9 spaces
August 2, 3, 4 Science: 10 spaces
August 9, 10, 11 Disc Golf: 7 spaces
August 9, 10, 11 Crafts: 18 spaces
Supervision is provided by our CIAC Department of Education certified coaches Kristina Finnerty, Randy Netsch, and Tyler Saunders. Tyler is a teacher. Kristina and Randy coach two sports at VRHS. All have experience leading youth activities this school year, during the current challenging environment. Additional staff members will be from our experienced camp and lifeguarding staff including Abby Amara, Emi Bisson, Jackson Bisson, Kyra Brennan, Chloe Clark, Jack Guthrie, Sam Iselin, Juliette Linares, Brianna Livingston, Egan Rothrock, Zach Saunders, Lindsey Valentino, and Reece Whitney.
In every activity we will provide each participant with their own materials and equipment. Our program list, on the linked registration form, includes socially distant activities such as non-contact Lacrosse skills, basketball golf, and basketball baseball. Examples of Craft, Science, and Woodworking projects are squirt gun tie dye T-shirts, tile trivets, suncatchers, culturing bacteria, magnets, CPR, bluebird houses, 3-D models, walking sticks, and more. Each participant in Disc Golf takes home their own set of discs. The lunch hour session may include a game, nature hike, or sport. Flexibility is built into our schedule so that those that finish early will be provided with extra activities and the last time block in the afternoon may offer the opportunity to split the group so that those who would like, may participate in an extra session of the morning sport, or another sport or game.
2021 Swimming Lesson Registration
Parent/Child non-swimmer classes are offered in July at Cedar Lake for ages 2 through 7. Classes observe social distancing and are limited in size. Participants must be Chester residents or have purchased a non-resident park pass.
AVAILABILITY
11:00-11:45 ages 2 & 3 4 spaces
12:00-12:45 ages 3 & 4 4 spaces
1:00-1:45 ages 4 & 5 FULL
3:00-3:45 ages 5 & 6 2 spaces
4:00-4:45 ages 6 & 7 1 space
Pay for any program or make a donation with this button. Please add $5 to cover the cost of this service when registering for a program or purchasing a non-resident park/beach pass.
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 2021 Summer Season
2020 Modified Rules for Cedar Lake
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, above. 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
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.
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, inclu
ding 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.
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
MAKE A SPLASH NEXT SUMMER? 2022?
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!
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
- Group Application for Staffed Parks
- Group Use for Unstaffed Parks
- CEDAR LAKE RULES
- ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION Fiscal Year 2018/2019
Michael Abramson, Chairman
Ivey Gianetti
Deron Grabel
John Saunders
Michael Abramson
Dawn Saunders
Kurt Ziemann
John Williams
COMMISSION MEETING RECORDS:
February 22, 2021 Agenda|Minutes
January 11, 2021 Agenda|Minutes
October 26, 2020 Agenda Minutes
September 14, 2020 Agenda|Minutes
February 10, 2020 Agenda|Minutes
January 13, 2020 Agenda|Minutes
October 28, 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
October 24, 2017 Agenda|Minutes , October 13, 2017 Minutes, October 25, 2017 Cancellation, September 27, 2017 Agenda|Minutes, April 26, 2017 Agenda|Minutes, March 22, 2017 Minutes, February 15, 2017 Agenda|Minutes , January 18, 2017 Cancellation, January 4, 2017 Agenda|Minutes|Budget 2018
2016
October 26, 2016 Agenda|Minutes, September 28, 2016 Agenda|Minutes, September 27, 2016 Cancelled, May 17, 2016 Agenda|Minutes, April 12, 2016 Agenda|Minutes, March 15, 2016 Agenda|Minutes, February 16, 2016 Agenda, January 19, 2016 Agenda|Minutes,
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
November 12, 2013 Agenda|Cancellation September 10, 2013 Agenda|Cancellation June 22, 2013 Agenda | Minutes April 16, 2013 Agenda|Minutes April 9, 2013 Cancellation, February 12, 2013 Agenda|Minutes January 15, 2013 Agenda|Minutes
2012
December 11, 2012 Agenda|Corrected Agenda|Minutes November 28, 2018 Agenda – Special Mtg.|Minutes October 30, 2012 Agenda Sept. 11, 2012 Agenda|Minutes June 05, 2012 | May 12, 2012 Special Mtg February 07, 2012 January 10, 2012
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