Manchester

Parks & Recreation

A Focus on Recreation

In this issue, we are shining the spotlight on Parks & Rec recreation programs.

In 2022, we identified and began putting in place the foundational pieces needed to expand our recreational offerings: tech platforms, financial tools, and protocols for collaboration with private partners.

The result has been a steady increase in the quality, diversity, and frequency of available programs. Among the new offerings are soccer camps, pickleball lessons, Fall Festival events, STEM vacation classes, and a football skills clinic.

The Fun In The Sun youth summer camp – one of our traditional programs in operation for over 50 years – has been infused with new lessons in music, karate, fencing, and nutrition.

Still other programs, such as Tennis in the Parks and Drop-in Pickleball, have been expanded to include more sessions than ever before.

Do you have a skill you'd like to teach in partnership with Parks & Rec? Whether it's sports-related or arts-based, geared for children or adults, designed for indoors or outdoors, we'd love to hear from you.

Mark Gomez

Chief of Parks, Recreation & Cemetery

Programs & Events

Learning the Beautiful Game

This past winter and spring, Parks & Rec partnered with Seacoast United to bring high-energy futsal and soccer clinics to local youth at Hallsville Gym and Gill Stadium. Dozens of kids sharpened their skills and had a blast, on the court and on the field.

The momentum has continued throughout the summer, with two more soccer camps at Piscataquog River Park. There's still time to sign up for the next camp, which runs from August 18 to 22. Both full-day and half-day registration is available. Age range is 6 to 12.

These Kids Have Ice in their Veins

The Clem Lemire Hockey Tournament took place this past March and April at JFK Coliseum and West Side Arena.

The tournament is divided into two divisions: elementary school and middle school. It's a fantastic way to close out the winter season for youth hockey players.

The tournament was a great success this year and we look forward to evolving this tournament in the years to come.

Easter Baskets and a Hare-raising Visit

With the indispensable support of the Kiwanis Club of Manchester, the fifth annual Easter Basket Giveaway was a great success. There was springtime cheer, sweet treats, and big smiles all around!

And guess who made a surprise appearance? None other than the Easter Bunny himself, hopping by for high-fives, photos, and a whole lot of fun!

Thanks to everyone who joined us — we’re already egg-cited for next year!

Spring Carnival at the JFK

Parks & Rec welcomed the Manchester Spring Carnival back to the JFK Coliseum parking lot this April. The carnival is a collaboration with Fiesta Shows and drew thousands of people over its week-long stay.

Featured rides included the Carousel, Zero Gravity, Seven Seas, Viper, and the popular Expo Wheel. Attendees also enjoyed traditional carnival food and popular games offering fantastic prizes.

The Spring Carnival takes place every year during April school vacation. See you there in 2026!

Pickleball Drop-in Hours and Classes

Over the course of the winter, Parks & Rec offered beginner and intermediate pickleball skills classes, as well as hundreds of hours of drop-in sessions at Hallsville Gym.

After a brief summer hiatus, drop-in pickleball is back as of August 6! Register in advance.

Summer Fun in the Water

Parks & Rec aquatics facilities are open throughout the summer and provide a refreshing place to cool down. We offer two pools (at Livingston Park and Raco-Theodore Park), two splash pads (at Sheehan-Basquil Park and Rock Rimmon Park), and a complete beach experience (at Crystal Lake Park).

Raco-Theodore Pool, home of Manchester Swim Team, is the only 10-lane outdoor Olympic-sized pool in New England. This facility hosted three competitive swim meets this past year.

Livingston Pool benefits from our partnership with Swim NH by hosting free swim lessons for our Fun in the Sun campers and discounted private lessons for Manchester residents.

Fireworks at Arms Park

The Manchester Independence Day Celebration, staged at Arms Park, is the largest City-run event taking place each year. The celebration returned again on July 3rd, bringing thousands of people to the park and nearby vantage points.

Parks & Rec partners with Pyrotecnico to put on the spectacular fireworks show that Manchester residents have come to expect. This event would not be possible without the additional support of the Manchester Police Department, Fire Department, Parking Enforcement Division, and Economic Development Office.

Fun in the Sun: Better than Ever

Parks & Rec's flagship recreation program, Fun in the Sun, has been reimagined in 2025. Campers have enjoyed karate lessons, music instruction, fencing classes, nutritional guidance, and an inflatable gaga ball pit, in addition to standards like swim lessons, reading groups, a Fisher Cats baseball game, and more.

This year, Fun in the Sun is taking place at Livingston Park and Piscataquog River Park. It is open to children entering grades one through eight.

Pitch, Hit & Run Comes to Manchester

We were proud to once again partner with Major League Baseball to host Pitch, Hit & Run at Gill Stadium. This event is MLB's official youth skills competition.

Young athletes had the chance to showcase their talents in pitching, hitting, and running drills – just like their big-league heroes. Participants can advance through local, regional, and even national competitions, with a chance to compete at an MLB ballpark during the World Series!

Football Showcase Lights Up Gill Stadium

In May, the New England Football Academy Showcase brought high energy and elite talent to Gill Stadium for a free, two-day invitational skills camp open to young athletes.

The event featured:

NFL Combine-style drills
Speed, agility, and endurance training
Position-specific coaching on both sides of the ball
Intense 7v7 and 4v3 matchups
A guest appearance by Botros Alisandro, Defensive Back at Old Dominion University

Athletes from across the region showed up ready to compete, improve their skills, and learn from experienced coaches.

Blockbusters Under the Stars

Manchester's Summer Movies in the Park series kicked off on July 23 with Minecraft, on the big screen and under the night sky at Veteran's Park! Thank you to everyone who joined us for an unforgettable evening of fun and community.

The show’s just getting started—up next: Wicked Part One (on Aug 27) and Jumanji (on Sep 20). Grab your blankets, pack your snacks, and we’ll see you at the park!

En Garde, Manchester!

We are thrilled to partner with Exeter Fencing Academy to bring the art of fencing to Manchester!

Our Introduction to Fencing classes are offering a fun and safe way for participants to learn the fundamentals of this fast-paced Olympic sport.

Projects

Playtime Reimagined at Livingston

The refreshing of Livingston Park continued this spring with the installation of a brand new playground that brings adventurous, accessible, and exhilarating fun to Manchester's most popular park.

What’s new?

A vibrant, nature-inspired theme with colorful flower‑petal canopies and fossil-etched climbing rocks
Diverse play zones: high-energy areas with climbers and slides, balance beams, swings, and a thrilling roller-slide; plus quieter corners that feature talk tubes, interactive panels, and rhythm‑rich drums
Wide ramps, transfer platforms, and a wheelchair-accessible SwayFun glider
Soft rubber surfacing that ensures safe landings and easy access to all features

A Facelift for Livingston Pool

Crews recently completed the installation of a brand-new liner at Livingston Pool, giving the facility a clean, smooth surface in time for a summer of safe, refreshing fun.

The new liner improves water retention, swimmer comfort, and overall appearance—ensuring that Livingston Pool remains one of Manchester’s favorite summer destinations.

Manchester Tracks Get a Fresh Start

The Livingston Park track resurfacing project and the repainting of the West High School track were recently completed, giving local athletes and community members two refurbished places to exercise.

Livingston Track: The resurfacing and striping of Central High School's home track is complete, offering a smooth new surface and bright lane markings — perfect for competitive runners and casual joggers alike.

West High School: A full wash, miscellaneous repairs, and crisp new lane striping have given the track a clean look and improved safety.

New Lights Set to Shine at Derryfield Park and Precourt Park

Evenings are looking brighter at two popular Manchester parks. Parks & Rec has installed new energy-efficient lighting at both Derryfield Park and Precourt Park, improving safety and extending playtime for park patrons.

Derryfield Park boasts one of Manchester's most-used children's playgrounds, as well as an outdoor fitness lot, both of which will benefit from the improved lighting.

Precourt Park is home to Manchester Little League, Manchester South Junior Soccer, and Nutts Pond. It also serves as a popular pathway to the South Manchester Rail Trail.

Gossler Park School Playground: New Surface, Same Big Smiles

The school playground at Gossler Park School has a brand-new rubberized surface, creating a safer, smoother, and more accessible play area for all kids to enjoy.

The new surface improves fall protection, accessibility, and overall experience—making it easier for children of all abilities to join the fun and play safely. Work was funded through a grant from the Crotched Mountain Foundation.

Partnerships

Friends of Stark Park Sets the Stage for Summer Sounds

Get ready for warm nights and cool tunes! The Friends of Stark Park are once again bringing live music to the great outdoors with their Summer Concert Series, featuring talented local bands and performers in a beautiful, family-friendly setting.

Pack your picnic blanket, bring a chair, and enjoy evenings filled with great music, fresh air, and community spirit—right in the heart of the North End. Concerts are free and open to the public, making them the perfect way to wrap up a summer weekend.

View the complete concert schedule.

Safari Youth Club Brightens Valley Cemetery with Spirit and Fresh Paint

Parks & Rec wishes to extend a big thank you to the Safari Youth Club, whose members recently rolled up their sleeves and added a fresh coat of paint to a portion of the perimeter fence at Valley Cemetery.

Valley Cemetery is one of Manchester's most historic locations. Designed as a garden cemetery, it doubles as a local greenspace for the adjacent neighborhoods.

These young volunteers showed how small acts of service can make a big difference in beautifying our city and honoring its past.

From Park to Park: Earth Day Cleanup Unites the Queen City

This Earth Day, volunteers rolled up their sleeves for the first-ever Park2Park Cleanup, a community-wide effort organized by SEE Science Center, Manchester Connects, and Parks & Rec.

Dozens of volunteers from local businesses and nonprofits came together to collect litter, clear branches, and help beautify city streets and parks. The collaborative spirit and hands-on effort made a real difference—and reminded us all of the power of community action for a cleaner, greener Manchester.

Operations & Maintenance

The Derryfield Country Club: Where the Grass is Always Greener

Derryfield Country Club’s rolling fairways and pristine greens are a Manchester treasure—but they don’t get that way on their own. Setting the stage for every perfect putt and smooth drive is the Derryfield golf course maintenance crew, hard at work from sunrise to sunset.

All season long, this Parks & Rec crew keeps the course healthy, playable, and beautiful. Their expert care ensures that golfers of all skill levels enjoy high-quality conditions on every hole.

Fields of Dreams, Powered by Parks & Rec

While most of us were waiting for warm weather, the Parks & Rec crews were already hard at work this spring, prepping baseball and softball fields across Manchester for a busy season of school sports.

From early-morning grooming to precise field lining, personnel made sure the diamonds were game-day ready, allowing Manchester student-athletes to literally swing for the fences.

Behind Every Beautiful Park is a Busy Crew

It takes more than sunshine and rain to keep Manchester’s parks, fields, and green spaces looking their best. This spring and summer, our parks maintenance staff have been hard at work mowing, trimming, aerating, fertilizing, and seeding across the city’s many recreation areas.

From neighborhood playgrounds to wide-open fields, these crews work tirelessly behind the scenes to create safe, healthy, and beautiful outdoor spaces for residents to enjoy.

Outdoor Skating Returns to Dorrs Pond

This past winter, Dorr’s Pond once again became a beloved destination for outdoor ice skating.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of our parks maintenance team, the ice was kept in top condition throughout the season. Often working in very tough conditions, crews repeatedly cleared, resurfaced, and made the ice safe for skaters of all ages.

Outdoor recreation like this isn’t just fun—it’s essential for community well-being, offering residents a way to stay active and connected with nature and one another during the colder months of the year.

Rolling Out the Carpet (For a New Floor)

New rubberized flooring has been installed at JFK Coliseum, West Side Arena, and the varsity locker room at Gill Stadium.

This modern, slip-resistant surface enhances safety, durability, and comfort for athletes, skaters, and spectators alike. Whether you're lacing up skates, putting on shoulder pads, or cheering from the stands, your experience just got a major upgrade!

Employee Spotlight

Brandon Sanborn Named DPW Employee of the Month

Parks & Rec Maintenance Supervisor Brandon Sanborn (left, pictured with Deputy Public Works Director Owen Friend-Gray) was recently recognized as the DPW Employee of the Month for July.

Brandon was nominated by coworkers for “stepping up and really filling his role as a field supervisor; working daily to better himself, his crew and park spaces in the city; leading by example, setting the bar of expectation high and pushing to achieve. [He is] always ready and willing to help…to respond to emergencies, special requests and events when needed, and call-ins.”

Parks & Rec field crews refer to Brandon as “The Terminator”, because he is “literally unstoppable and just keeps going.”

Brandon has been with Parks & Rec for nine years. For a glimpse of his work, check out the plantings in the new tree wells and flower beds in front of Veterans Park.