Parks & Recreation Commission

Celebrating Community through People, Parks and Programs!

Please let us know if you are interested in any of the weeks listed below, by

e-mailing parkrec@chesterct.org or calling 526-0013, extension 223.

SUMMER CAMP OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF ALL AREA TOWNS!

WEEKLY AVAILABILITY :

June 25: WAITING LIST

July 9: WAITING LIST

July 16: WAITING LIST

July 23: WAITING LIST

July 30: WAITING LIST

August 6: WAITING LIST

August 13: 3 spaces grades 1 through 7

FULL American Red Cross CPR-AED-First Aid Registration

CPR for the Professional Rescuer Professional Rescuer Registration

MAKE A SPLASH THIS SUMMER!

Morning Laughter at Cedar Lake

We are an outdoor program specializing in waterfront activities!

Our Camp Counselors are Certified Lifeguards.

NATURE & ART on Mondays, SWIMMING, WATER SAFETY & TEAM CHALLENGES on Tuesdays, SWIMMING, COOPERATION PROJECTS & OUTDOOR COOKING 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. It is open to children entering grades 1 through 6 and the hours are from 8:15am until 3:45pm, the weeks of June 25, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30, August 6, and August 13, at Chester Elementary School on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays 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 is $130 per child, per week, and payable at the time of registration. The weeks of June 26, August 6, and August 13 are also open to students entering grade 7 and the weeks of July 9 and July 30 (SEE KINDER-CAMP BELOW) are open to children entering Kindergarten, too! The weeks of July 9, 16, 23, and 30 include optional swimming lessons the days the program meets at Cedar Lake. All Kinder-Camp children participate in swimming lessons. KINDER-CAMP for children ENTERING KINDERGARTEN has staff and programming designed specifically to meet the needs of younger children. Activities include games, sports, crafts, nature, 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 1 through 6 camp, at the same location the weeks of July 9 and July 30. Our camp fee includes all program and field trip expenses, except lunch. Children do not need to be Chester residents to attend.

Pay your Summer Camp bill or donate to the Chester Parks and Recreation Scholarship Fund for local children to attend Summer Camp. Please note: When charging Summer Camp please add $5 per week.

Pay for any program or make a donation with this button. When paying for Summer Camp with a charge card, please add $5 PER WEEK, to defray our cost for this service.

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 spring weather and learn about our Town with an activity for all ages.

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

Cedar Lake 2018 Summer Season

The Town Beaches on Cedar Lake are scheduled to be open for the 2018 season beginning June 14 through August 19 with scheduled hours from 10:30am until 6:00pm. Hours may vary according to staff availability, training, weather, or special programs. 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 unstaffed parks must display a public access sticker, which is available at the Town Clerk’s Office. Non-residents must display a park pass on their vehicles at unstaffed parks and show their pass and identification when entering a staffed facility. Non-resident passes are currently $65 and valid through June 19 of 2019. They are available at Pelletier Park during operating hours and at the Parks and recreation Office during the off-season. Chester residents may enter staffed facilities by showing a driver’s license, or other proof of residency or taxpayer status with identification. Residents and pass holders may bring up to six people, but must accompany them. All other guests are $3 each. 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.

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 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

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION 2016/2017

John B. Williams, Chmn.

Ivey Gianetti

Deron Grabel

John Saunders

Michael Abramson

Dawn Saunders

Kurt Zieman

COMMISSION MEETMinutes ING RECORDS:

April 30, 2018 Agenda|Minutes

March 21, 2018 Agenda

February 12, 2018 Cancellation

January 8, 2018 Agenda|Minutes with Proposed 2018/2019 Budget

October 24, 2017 Agenda|Minutes

October 13, 2017 Minutes

October 25, 2017 Cancellation

September 27, 2017 Agenda|Minutes

February 4, 2015 Agenda|Minutes January 14, 2015 Agenda 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 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 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