WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
July 18, 2022
Rockin' Out at Rockwell - Summer Concert Series
Featuring the band KICK
Food Truck: Heavenly Smoke BBQ
Tuesday, July 19
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Weekly performances every Tuesday night through Aug. 9th. Opening acts begin at 6:00 pm and main acts take the stage at 6:30 pm. Bring your family & friends, blankets & chairs, grab dinner at the food truck(s), and enjoy! Learn More
Bus Around Bristol
Ages 12 - 18
Tuesday, July 19
9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Bristol Youth are invited to join us for an interactive and educational scavenger hunt around Bristol. The objective of the event is to familiarize teens with using public transportation to better connect with their community. Learn More
2022 Men's Spring Softball League Champions Announced!
The 3-seeded Fancy Bagels claimed the Men’s 40-and-Over Spring League championship, winning all three of their games in the single-elimination playoff tournament. The top-seeded Kookies, who went 17-1 in the regular season, claimed the Men’s 18+ Spring League championship. Read More
2022 Men's 40-and-Over Spring Softball League Champions: Fancy Bagels
Top Row (left to right): Andrew Dorsey, Dave Fostervold, Jason Stafford, Al Miller, Steve Masi, Jay Dubois, Keith Dube, Brian Mascalo. Bottom Row (left to right): Dan Lancaster, Randy Demers, Billy Knight, Jay Harmon, Jason Dorman
2022 Men's 18+ Spring Softball
League Champions: The Kookies
Top row (left to right): Junior Miranda, Ricky Toole, James Beechinor, Casey Tabacco, Mike Perugini, Steve Zawicki, Matt Bennett. Bottom row (left to right): Adam Swicklas, Chad Passaro, Roger Moore, Kellen Parkinson, JP Jacobson, Paul Moore III. Missing from photo: David Kimball, Jose Hernandez, Justin Rodriguez, Jay Spear
We're Hiring - Apply to be a Park Maintainer!
This is a great opportunity to work outside, stay active, get involved in the community and help keep Bristol Beautiful! We're looking for a Park Maintainer to perform general manual labor in the maintenance of City park properties and grounds. 
Women's Only Swim Night
Sunday, July 24
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Ages 12 and up
Women's Only Swim Night will take place indoors at the Dennis Malone Aquatics facility and provides a safe, comfortable, and friendly environment for women of all abilities and cultures to together and enjoy a enriching pool session. Learn More
Therapeutic Mentoring
Mentors Needed
Volunteer to serve as a positive role model to Bristol youth through guidance, games, advice, and meaningful connection. Learn More
Ralph Strong City Tennis Tournament
July 29 - July 30
Timing Varies by Division
Ages 4 - 17
Youth will compete in singles matches broken out by age and gender based divisions. Registration is free. Participants must bring an unopened can of tennis balls to their first match. The first 35 registrants will receive a free Tournament t-shirt. Learn More
Chestnuts in Bloom: Walk at the Hoppers
Friday, July 22
1:30 PM
Hoppers Birge Pond Nature Preserve
Featuring guest speaker Jack Swatt, President of the CT Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation. The giant American Chestnut Trees of the past that used to thrive at the Hoppers Birge Pond Nature Preserve are long gone from a blight, but their roots are still healthy and sending up shoots. Several stands of chestnut sprouts remain at the Hoppers and are in bloom in late July. Join us to seek out the Chestnuts and find out what you can do to help the population survive. Interested participants are asked to meet Meet at the lower parking lot on Ambler Road. Sponsored by Friends of the Hoppers. To learn more, please contact Michelle Rudy by at mirwater@yahoo.com or (860)558-5393.
SAVE THE DATE FOR AUGUST
Community Yard Sale
Wednesday, August 3
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
BPRYCS Main Office - 51 High Street
Educational and developmental toys, arts and craft supplies, books, and more will be for sale! All proceeds will benefit the Parent and Child Program. Learn More
3rd Annual Community Conversation
Wednesday, August 3
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Rockwell Park Amphitheater
The Community Conversation provides an opportunity for community members to engage amongst city leaders and numerous City of Bristol stakeholders to discuss what steps are being taken to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive community. Learn More
7th Annual Neon Nights Float Night
Friday, August 5
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Rockwell Park Pool
Prepare for an electric evening of floating fun! The brightest bash in the neighborhood will feature an array of colorful activities including: glowing pool, live DJ, foam party, drone dome, & the "light up lounge". For Ages 5 and up. Learn More
Movie Night
Friday, August 12
Movie Starts at 8:00 PM
Rockwell Park Amphitheater
We're headed to the park for a movie on the big screen! Grab your friends, family, and favorite snack for a free movie outdoors at Rockwell Park. Learn More
Bristol Green Team
Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Saturday, August 13
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Join the Bristol Green Team for the final cleanup of the season at Veterans Memorial Boulevard as we pick up litter . All participants will receive a free t-shirt and we provide all of the cleanup supplies. Enjoy a day in the park while making Bristol beautiful! Learn More
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Food Explorers Camp: Taste the Rainbow!
August 15 - August 19
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Ages 8 - 12
Bristol Senior Community Center
Join Food Explorers to Taste the Rainbow!
Create two new recipes each day following the colors of the rainbow, learn all about new flavors, cooking techniques and recipes! Participants will discover fun facts about food and nutrition through interactive games and activities between recipes. Learn More
Mountain Bike Camp
August 15 - August 19
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Ages 9 - 15
Rockwell Park - Mountain Bike Trails
Mountain Bike Camp is designed for youth who are excited about improving their riding skills and bike knowledge on local bike trails and the new Rockwell Park Pump Track. This camp is open to riders of all skill levels. This is a great way to keep your camper engaged through physical exercise. Learn More
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Infinite Hope Mural Unveiled on Riverside Avenue
On Thursday, July 14th, we joined the City of Bristol Arts and Culture Commission and the Bristol community to celebrate the unveiling of the Infinite Hope Mural located on Riverside Avenue. The mural was created as part of the MLK39 mural tour by The RiseUP Group and CT Murals, to honor the the 39 years of Martin Luther King Jr.'s life. The mural, painted by CT artist Micaela Levesque Art , features Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., author and poet Maya Angelou, and Bristol resident, Barbara Hudson, who had an extensive career curating African American art and volunteered with the Bristol Historical Society researching the history of black neighborhoods in Bristol. Learn More
In the News: "Bristol Parks & Rec aims for inclusivity with low-cost swimming lessons"
(WTNH) - Thousands of lives are lost each year because of accidental drownings — deaths that are disproportionately affecting Black and brown communities. Bristol is among the towns on a mission to get kids swimming at a low cost to parents. Learn More
An Open Letter to Staff on National Parks and Recreation Professionals Day
Since 1985, America has celebrated July as the nation’s official Park and Recreation Month. Created by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Park and Recreation Month specifically highlights the essential and powerful role local park and recreation professionals — such as our staff at the City of Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services (BPRYCS) Department — play in building stronger, more vibrant and more resilient communities all across the country. On Wednesday July 6, 2022, the Bristol City Council officially recognized the month through a proclamation read by Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano at our Rockin’ Out at Rockwell Summer Concert. This year’s theme is “We Rise Up” and so in honor of Park and Recreation Professional Day (Friday, July 15, 2022), Superintendent Dr. Joshua Medeiros wrote an open letter thanking the BPRYCS team for their hard work and dedication in serving the Bristol community. Read the Letter
The outdoor pools at Page Park and Rockwell Park are open! Cool off in the park now through August 21st.
The outdoor pools are open 1:00 - 7:00 PM everyday.
BPRYCS at the Farmers Market
Visit BPRYCS at the Bristol Farmers Market and use your SNAP/EBT card to shop for local, nutritious foods! The 2022 Farmers Market is held at 15 Riverside Avenue (Bristol Health Medical Care Center’s parking lot) - visit Bristolallheart.com for vendor and market updates.
City of Bristol
Department of Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services
51 High Street
Bristol, CT 06010