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

Office Hours: Memorial Day through Labor Day by Appointment, Labor Day through Memorial Day Mondays through Thursdays 9:45am-noon and Mondays & Tuesdays 3:00-5:15pm

BALLROOM DANCING: RETURNING IN APRIL! 3 Classes for $30 6:30-7:30pm on Mondays, April 1, 8 and 15 at the Chester Meeting House. $30 per person fee payable to the instructor Karen Pfrommer BALLROOM DANCING registration

MAKE A SPLASH THIS 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!

CAMP AVAILABILITY:

the week of June 24, entering grades 4 through 7 = 3 spaces Please call 860-526-0013, x223 or email parkrec@chesterct.org to save your space before registering for this week.

the week of July 8, entering grades 1 through 6 = 10 spaces

the week of July 15, entering grades 1 through 7 = 4 spaces

the week of July 22, entering grades 1 through 6 = 8 spaces

the week of July 22, entering kindergarten = waiting list

the week of July 29, entering grades 1 through 6 = 9 spaces

the week of August 5, entering grades 1 through 6 = 6 spaces

the week of August 5, entering kindergarten = WE HAVE ADDED 3 SPACES!

the week of August 12, grades 1 through 6 = 13 spaces

2019 CAMP CALENDAR

2019 CAMP REGISTRATION

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. It is open to children entering grades 1 through 6 and the hours are from 8:15am until 3:45pm, the weeks of July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29, August 5, and August 12, 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 $140 per child, per week, and payable at the time of registration.

The week of June 24 is ADVENTURE CAMP, a premium week with 3 field trips for students entering grades 4 through 7, only. The price is $225.

The week of July 15 is also open to students entering grade 7. The weeks of July 22 and August 5 are open to children entering Kindergarten, too! 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 22 and August 5.

All Kinder-Camp children and those entering grade 1 participate in swimming lessons the weeks of July 22 and August 5. Campers entering grade 7 have an optional introduction to lifeguarding activity the weeks of June 24 and July 15.

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, PER CHILD, 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 2019 Summer Season

Please note that watercraft* will 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 2019 season beginning June 13 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 $75 and valid through June 19 of 2020. 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

Michael Abramson, Chairman
Deron Grabel
John Saunders
Michael Abramson
Dawn Saunders
Kurt Ziemann
John Williams

COMMISSION MEETING RECORDS:

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