December 15, 2022
Your semi-monthly Recreation activities information.
WE MAKE YOUR FREE TIME, FUN TIME!
GREETINGS,

We hope you are enjoying the holiday season! Today is the final day to donate to our Food Drive and the final day to submit an entry for the Holiday Photo Contest. Residents may continue to register online for the winter session of skating lessons and hockey clinics held at the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink. More details on these and other programs are found below.

Town Hall will be CLOSED Mondays, December 26 and January 2 for Christmas and New Years Day, respectively, since both holidays fall on Sunday. Except for Town holidays, the Parks and Recreation Office at Town Hall is open to the public weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We encourage you to make an appointment between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Most business can be done online. Office staff are available by email; feel free to contact us.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Sue Snyder, Recreation Superintendent
Holiday Food Drive Nov. 26 - Dec. 15

Greenwich Recreation is partnering with Neighbor to Neighbor to host a food drive this holiday season. Collection bins are set up for non-perishable foods at Town Hall, Parks & Recreation Office, Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center, and Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink. In addition, there will also be an online fresh fruit and vegetable drive. Click here for more information and to donate online. The drive concludes December 15.
Calling all Greenwich Residents
and Businesses!

Submit your best holiday spirit photo and you'll be entered in for a chance to win a holiday prize package. Photo submissions will be accepted from December 1 through December 15, and the lucky winner will be announced on Wednesday, December 21. To enter the contest simply scan the QR code in the flyer here.

Youth Sports - CT Safe Sport Policy
Parents and Coaches, Be Informed!
Youth play sports for a variety of reasons. It encourages a healthy lifestyle, builds self-confidence, and teaches essential life lessons about teamwork and discipline. Athletes learn goal-setting, teamwork, and time management skills; they are less likely to use cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol; they have higher graduation rates and are more likely to attend college.

Unfortunately, youth sports can also be a high-risk environment for misconduct, including child physical and sexual abuse. The Governor's Task Force on Justice for Abused Children in CT has developed instructional guidelines for youth coaches on best practices for appropriate interaction with youth athletes. They have also developed child sexual abuse informational guidelines for parents that describe abusers' grooming techniques, victim behavior, and methods for contacting authorities.
Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink
The rink will be closed Christmas Day, Sunday, 12/25/22, and New Years Day, Sunday, 1/1/23. Registration for Session 2 of Skating School is open online. Registration will close December 28 or when classes are full. Session 2 begins the week of January 3. Registration for Youth Hockey programs continues online for residents. Public sessions are held daily; download the Public Session Schedule. On certain dates, the rink offers Stick and Puck Sessions. For more detailed information on rink policies, programs, and fees, check out the 2022-2023 Rink Brochure. Private organizations can rent available ice time; email Recreation Supervisor Rich Ernye.
Court Reservation System Ended Dec. 1

The tennis and pickleball court reservation system ended December 1 and will resume in spring. In December many nets will be removed and courts closed for the winter. A few tennis nets will be left up at Binney Park and Bruce Park for play when the weather is nice and court conditions are playable. Christiano pickleball nets will remain. Additionally, a few portable pickleball nets will remain out over the winter at EGCC, Loughlin Ave., and Western Middle School to be used only when weather and court conditions are playable.
Closed for the Season
We Will See You In March 2023
Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center
449 Pemberwick Road, Greenwich

Winter Drop-in Pickleball for residents only will begin in January at BWGCC and run though March 2023. Different levels of play will be held on separate days. Please make sure you only attend the level of play which is suited to your skills. Drop-in Co-ed Volleyball for adults will be held on Mondays over the winter beginning January 9. Other adult activities taking place at BWGCC this winter include Get-Fit Glenville Boot Camp, Zumba Fitness, and WGCC Weight Club.


Open gym time is available according to specific rules. Visit the open gym schedule for the current month. For additional information about facility programs and rental information, read our brochure.
Youth Scholarships
If you need financial assistance for your child to participate in a Recreation activity, we can help. Greenwich Parks and Recreation has established a youth scholarship program which provides financial assistance to qualifying residents. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, visit our website page Youth Scholarships.
Withdrawal Policy for Recreation Activities
other than Day Camps

Credit requests for recreation program registration will be considered if received in writing prior to the start of the program. There is a $15 administrative fee per section for credits. The general policy of the Recreation Division is that we do not process refunds unless a program has been cancelled. Please read all registration information carefully and contact us prior to registering if you have any questions. Should someone withdraw from a program after it has begun, the credit will be pro-rated based on the time remaining in the program when the withdrawal is requested.
Weather Cancellation Information

Please make note of the Recreation Division's weather cancellation hotline phone # 203-861-6100.

Information regarding cancellations and closures is also posted on our Recreation Sports Website. The hotline phone # is updated before the website is updated.
Non-Discrimination and Event Accessibility

The Town complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination, equal opportunity, affirmative action, and providing reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to participate, please contact the Commissioner of Human Services at 203-622-3800 or [email protected]
Program and Participant Photographs

Parks and Recreation reserves the right to use program or event photographs including participants in official Town of Greenwich media only (website, newsletter, flyers and advertisements, Facebook, and/or Instagram). Please contact the Recreation Office if you object to the use of photographs of you or your child(ren) in Town media.