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

Access to the office is by appointment only due to COVID-19 restrictions.

SORRY! FOR YOUR SAFETY: THE PLAYGROUND IS CLOSED. A 9-hole DISC GOLF COURSE and a BASKETBALL COURT are coming to North Quarter Park this spring.

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.)

The Town of Chester and the Chester Parks and Recreation Commission have decided to cancel the March 19 and 20 field trips, due to the current coronavirus issue. A full refund, by check, will be issued in two to three weeks.

YOGA, KARATE and BALLROOM DANCING are cancelled until further notice.

Camp for grades K & 1 is full. Please call 860-526-0013, x223 or email parkrec@chesterct.org for cancelled spaces the weeks of July 6, July 20, August 3, and August 10th.

Please check availability for camp for grades K & 1 before registering. Camp spaces are still available for grades 2 through 7.

2020 Spring-Summer Brochure

Our summer employment and volunteer positions have been filled!

SUMMER CAMP AVAILABILITY

2020 CAMP REGISTRATION

2020 CAMP CALENDAR

THE WEEK OF:

June 29 (entering grades 5 through 7) 3 SPACES

July 6 (entering grades 2 through 6) 4 SPACES

July 6 (entering grades K through 1) FULL: check for availability before registering

July 13 (entering grades 2 through 7) 18 SPACES

July 20 (entering grades 2 through 6) 8 SPACES

July 20 (entering grades K through 1) FULL: check for availability before registering

August 3 (entering grades 2 through 6) FULL: check for availability before registering

August 3 (entering grades K through 1) FULL: check for availability before registering

August 10 (entering grades 2 through 6) 13 SPACES

August 10 (entering grades K through 1) FULL: check for availability before registering

August 17 (entering grades 2 through 7) 18 SPACES

Early School Dismissal Field Trips: Directly following the early school dismissal 1:15pm until 5:45pm departing from and returning to Chester Elementary School, SpareTime Entertainment in Bristol Thursday, March 19 and Fun In in Middletown on Friday, March 20, for grades K through 6. $36 per field trip, includes dinner 2020 Conference Day Field Trip registration; 2020 Conference Day Field Trips poster; WAIVER FOR FUN IN: www.funintrampolinepark.com

Activities on Thursday include bowling, laser tag, and arcade games.

Join us for trampolines, including trampoline basketball and dodgeball, a ninja warrior ball pit, climbing wall, foam pit, and a virtual rollercoaster on Friday.

LEARN A NEW SPORT! A LACROSSE CLINIC for boys and girls in grades 2 through 6 will be offered on Monday, February 24, indoors at Chester Elementary School from 3:15pm until 5:00pm directly following school dismissal. Instruction is provided by Valley Regional High School Coaches and Players. The program is ideal for those who have never played before, but also welcomes those with experience. Equipment is provided, but players may bring their own. There is a $5 registration fee. 2020 Lacrosse Clinic Registration

YOGA: all levels welcome, 6:00-7:00pm on Tuesdays through May 19 at the Chester Town Hall Community Room. There is no class on April 28th due to voting. attend any class for $10 per class payable to the instructor Annette Babek Yoga Registration, Yoga poster

KARATE: ages 5 through 12, 5:00-6:00pm on Mondays, Session 4: February 24, March 2, 9, 16, 23, Session 5: March 30, April 6, 13, 20, May 4 (the original class on April 27th has been replaced by a class on April 6, due to the primary election preparations in the community room), Session 6: May 11, 18, June 1, 8, 15 at the Chester Town Hall Community Room. $47 per session payable to the instructor Tammy Marino Karate registration, Karate poster

Ballroom Dancing this spring! all levels, 6:30-7:30pm on Mondays at the Chester Meeting House, April 6, 13, 20, 27, $40 per 4 class session payable to the instructor Karen Pfrommer BALLROOM DANCING Registration; Ballroom Dancing poster

Adult Recreational Basketball: ages 16 through adult, 7:00pm-9:00pm on Thursdays through February 27 in the Chester Elementary School gym. $10 for Chester residents and $15 for nonresidents for the season, advance registration required Adult Recreational Basketball registration

MAKE A SPLASH THIS SUMMER!

2020 CAMP CALENDAR

2020 CAMP REGISTRATION

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 29 is ADVENTURE CAMP, a premium week with 2 field trips for students entering grades 5 through 7, only. The fee is $225 for the week.

The weeks of July 13 and August 17 are open to campers entering grades 2 through 7.

The weeks of July 6, 20, August 3, and 10 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 6, 20, August 3, and 10.

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.

EXPLORE CHESTER ON YOUR OWN, WITH FRIENDS, OR WITH YOUR FAMILY LED BY

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 2020 Summer Season

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

The Town Beaches on Cedar Lake are scheduled to be open for the 2020 season beginning June 15 through August 21 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 $75 and valid through June 19 of 2021. 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 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