MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

December 2024

The Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services (BPRYCS) Office will operate on a half day schedule on December 24, 2024 in observance of Christmas Eve and December 31, 2024 for New Years Eve.


The BPRYCS Office and the Dennis Malone Aquatics Center will be closed on December 25, 2024 for the Christmas holiday and January 1, 2025 for New Years Day.

2025 Winter/Spring Registration is Open!

Please note, Winter Learn to Swim (LTS) registration will not begin until Late Fall LTS has ended and participants have received their level recommendations.

Download the 2025 Winter/Spring Snapshot

Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!

From the Department of Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services!

We are proud to present the 2024 Annual Report showcasing the impacts and accomplishments of Bristol's Department of Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services over the past year.

Download the 2024 Annual Report

Downtown Live presents -

It's a Wonderful Life

Thursday, December 19th

Doors open at 6:30 PM | Movies begin at 7:00 PM

Last Throwback Film of the Year! Purchase tickets at the door or online. Tickets are $5

(Credit card fees apply - No fees for cash). Learn More

Effective January 1, 2025, the fee to attend a Water Exercise class will increase to $7.

We had a wonderful time taking underwater photos with Scuba Santa over the weekend! Thank you to all the families who brought donations for the Holiday Gift Giving Program. Special thanks goes to the Region 5 Rescue Dive team for generously donating their scuba divers! See More Photos

UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Community Conversation

Featuring 1 Degree of Separation

Saturday, January 25th | 6:00 - 8:30 PM

A comedy show aimed at ending the stigma of mental illness. Join our free 6th annual Community Conversation where we aim to bring dialogue, awareness, and acceptance for those suffering from depression through laughter and vulnerability. We laugh at the dark stuff, because laughter releases the pain. We talk about depression, because no one should feel shame. Learn More

Downtown Live features an array of curated live entertainment from musical and dance performances, to comedy shows, education and lecture series, children's series, and more. Shows range in price from $25 to $45. The Rockwell Theater is located inside the Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School (BAIMS) at 70 Memorial Boulevard, Bristol, CT 06010. Learn More

The Soul Session

Saturday, January 18th | 5:00 - 9:00 PM

In partnership with Paradigm Arts and Culture Foundation Inc., we invite you to The Soul Session, a night of live music and art at the Rockwell Theater. The Soul Session is an evening dedicated to celebrating the essence of Jazz, Rhythm & Blues and Neo-Soul music through live performances, visual art and spoken word. Learn More

Scenes – A Billy Joel Experience

Saturday, February 1st | 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Back by popular demand – Scenes – A Billy Joel Experience!  They have been performing throughout New England and beyond since 2013. Their mission from the beginning was to celebrate and recreate the music of Billy Joel to the highest and most authentic standard. Learn More

Soul Sound Revue

Saturday, March 1st | 7:00 - 8:30 PM

Get your dancing shoes on and shake those winter blues away because Connecticut’s #1 dance party band is celebrating it’s 40th anniversary at Downtown Live! Soul Sound Revue is by far the hottest nine piece Motown show this side of Detroit, performing the greatest hits in the true “Motown Tradition.” Learn More

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The 2024 Shop With A Cop program was a great success! Last week our Youth and Community Services division and the Bristol Connecticut Police Department hosted a pizza party then escorted community members to a holiday shopping spree at Target. Officers and families paired off to purchase toys, clothes, electronics, holiday gifts, and more! Participants received a target gift card from the The REACH Foundation to help spread extra cheer this holiday season. Thank you to the Bristol Elks Lodge 1010 for generously donating their hall space for the pre-shopping pizza party!

Page Park Road Closure: A portion of Dewitt Page Park Road spanning from the Tennis Court Parking Lot to the Page Pool Parking Lot is closed ( as of Monday, December 9, 2024) through the spring (reopening to be determined based on construction schedule) to accommodate construction in that portion of the park. Pedestrian access through the park will still be available. Please seek other vehicular routes to access Page Park and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Earlier this month Landscape Gardener Steven Schriver, Park Maintainer Anthony Connors, and Skilled Utility Craftsman Ron Dionne were honored by the Bristol Veterans Council for their work on the Veterans Memorial Boulevard POW/MIA memorial. Thank you to the Bristol Veterans Council for their continued recognition of our team members!

The sledding hills at Page Park are closed this season to facilitate revitalization construction and protect the safety of park visitors!

We appreciate your cooperation and apologize for the inconvenience! Need a new sledding spot? Check out Nelson Field!

Over 150 participants showed their skills at the 27th Annual Turkey Shoot Basketball Contest on Saturday, November 23rd at Chippens Hill Middle School. Bristol youth, ages 4-13-years-old, partnered with an adult teammate to sink as many foul shots as possible. The Turkey Shoot competition was split into 5 divisions, based on age, with the winning teams from each division winning a $25 dollar gift card to Price Chopper/Market 32 to purchase a turkey for Thanksgiving. signed up to compete across five divisions. Thank you to all participants!

Leadership staff attended the 64th Annual Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association Conference and Tradeshow at Mohegan Sun

Deputy Superintendent Sarah Larson was recognized as the R. Peter Ledger Young Professional Award winner! Sarah was selected as the 2024 award recipient for her ongoing commitment and advancements to the parks, recreation, youth and community services field as well as to the Bristol community.

Pine Lake Adventure Park exhibited in the vendor hall. Lead Facilitator Brandan spoke to potential clients about upcoming team building and field trip opportunities. Learn More about Pine Lake Adventure Park.

Staff enjoyed educational breakout sessions to discuss trending topics, learn about new developments across the state, and engage in networking opportunities. Meanwhile, Superintendent Medeiros led the Directors Network annual meeting and workshop.

Project Updates

Transformative projects are underway across the City of Bristol parks system. The new renovations and amenities provide increased access to high-quality parks for residents and community members. 

Parks Project Portal

In an effort to continue to increase transparency and community engagement, we are pleased to offer an interactive Parks Project Portal that provides residents access to up-to-date information on projects, presentations, and opportunity to provide real time feedback!

Visit the Park Project Portal 
Project Updates

City of Bristol

Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services

51 High Street

Bristol, CT 06010

www.BristolRec.com

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