WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
May 2, 2022
71st ANNUAL PERRY J. SPINELLI FISHING DERBY
We had a blast at this past Saturday’s 71st Annual Perry J. Spinelli Fishing Derby! Thank you to all who were able to join us and spectacular job to all of the junior anglers. The morning was full of smiles, sunshine, and some pretty sizeable catches!
Thank you again to our sponsors for their support and for all of the amazing prizes:
Bristol Police Union | Bristol CT American Legion Post 2 | Bristol Fire Association | Zach Ibanez - State Farm Agent | Local 1338 Union | Bristol Professionals & Supervisors Association | Scarritt Spas & Pools | Oakland Mechanicals
OPENING DAY AT MUZZY FIELD
The Parks, Facilities, and Grounds crew has been working extra hard to open Muzzy Field early this year and on Friday, April 29th, we welcomed Bristol Public Schools Varsity Baseball for opening day! Special thanks to the crew for their extensive work on the field, preparing the bleachers, cleaning and stocking supplies, setting up the press box and more!
NATIONAL DEA TAKEBACK DAY
BEST participated in DEA National Prescription Take Back day this past Saturday. In partnership with the Bristol Police Department, community members were able to dispose of unused and unwanted medications. Missed it? There is a secure drug drop box at Beacon Prescriptions and the Bristol Police Department to properly dispose of medication.
TRASH CAN COMMUNITY ART
Our Arts & Culture division has been working with Bristol Arts & Culture Commission to bring community driven art to the parks. In late 2021, dozens of community members submitted designs to beautify park trash barrels. The City Arts & Culture Commission selected the top thirteen designs. Come spring of 2022 and nicer weather, BPRYCS invited community members to a celebration of Earth Day. All of the selected designs for the new trash cans were outlined in advance and community members were then able to help bring them to life by painting filing filling in the designs together. Learn More
BLUE STAR MEMORIAL GARDEN TO BE ESTABLISHED ON MEMORIAL BOULEVARD
"Collaborative landscape design work between the Bristol Parks Department staff, especially Steven Schriver and the Bristol Garden Club, has resulted in the creation of a fitting and beautiful tribute for our military armed forces," she said. "It will celebrate the significance of the veterans' contribution to our nation, our liberty and our safety." Dombrowski said that the idea of the Blue Star Memorials originates during the close of World War II. Read More
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
KNOCKOUT STIGMA ADULT BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Saturday, May 14th | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Join BEST for the annual Knockout Stigma Basketball Tournament! This year the competitive single-elimination adult 5v5 tournament is being held at Bristol Sports Armory. The tournament is being held on the last day of National Prevention Week to raise awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health. Learn More
PEN PAL EXPLORERS
Grades K - 5 | Kits will be picked up beginning Tues., May 24th
Put down the electronics, connect with others, and be creative this summer! Each child will be given a Pen Pal Kit to include: pens & pencils, stickers, paper, & envelopes. Children will be assigned a pen pal in town to connect with, get to know, and share interests back and forth through written letters or pictures. Share your favorite summer activity, something fun you are looking forward to or ask questions to learn more about your new pen pal! Kits cost $15 per child. Learn More
TEEN NIGHT SOCIAL
Thursdays, Locations vary by Activity
Join BEST for their Teen Night Socials! Teen Nights are a safe and welcoming environment to hang out and make new friends outside of the classroom. Teen Nights are designed with a variety of themes and are held at various park and field trip locations to cater to as many different interests as possible.
  • Movie Night - Thurs., May 12th | 5:30 - 7:30 pm
  • Laser Tag - Thurs., May 26th | 4:20 - 7:00 pm
30th ANNUAL YOUTH RECOGNITION AWARDS
Wed., May 11th | 6:00 pm
The 30th Annual Youth Service Recognition Awards spotlights and celebrates young people who are going above and beyond in service to the Bristol community. Youth and youth groups are nominated by adults that benefited from a community service project or volunteerism of a Bristol young person. Youth are recognized at the formal ceremony at Muzzy Field in front of friends and family. Learn More
DINNER ON THE DIAMOND
Sat., May 21st | 5:00 - 8:00pm
(Rain date: Saturday, June 4th)
Have Dinner ON Muzzy Field! This unforgettable evening brings you across the infield, to dine on the field where baseball greats have created generations of memories. Learn More
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
JAMES COSTA SELECTED AS PROGRAM ASSISTANT
Join us in welcoming James Costa to the BPRYCS team as Program Assistant! James comes to the department with nearly 4 years of previous experience working for the Town of Manchester Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation where he served in a variety of roles including Clerical Assistant, Facilities Director, and most recently as Culture Lab Coordinator. James has an earned Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Connecticut. As Program Assistant, James will be responsible for a variety of clerical tasks managing the front office of the Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services Department as well as providing program coordination and assistance to the Recreation Supervisor. Read More
Park Ambassadors
  • Help us maintain positive relations with residents and visitors, answering questions, explaining ordinances and regulations within town parks. Act as a liaison during peak hours. Learn More
Art Instructors
  • Help us develop a curriculum and administer classes to increase arts & culture offerings for community members of all ages! Learn More
Marketing Assistant
  • Support the Community Engagement Coordinator in the marketing of programs, events, and services in order to bolster community engagement in Bristol’s park system. This position is administrative and technical in nature. Learn More
Lifeguards
  • Performs patron surveillance, maintains safe aquatic facilities; provides customer service and other duties as assigned. Learn More
City of Bristol
Department of Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services
51 High Street
Bristol, CT 06010