Winter 2021 SessionSession 1:1: Jan.Jan. 1111 -- Feb.Feb. 1515 SessionSession 2:2: Mar.Mar. 11 -- Apr.Apr. 55 INSIDE THIS ISSUE NORWICH Youth Programs Adult Programs RECREATION DEPARTMENT Special Events 75 Mohegan Rd. | Norwich CT | 860) 823-3791 | Norwichct.org/recreation Register Online at Norwichct.org/recreation From the Recreation Direcor We are excited to kick off the Winter For special events, we are offering several contactless events season of 2021 with an array of programs for the family, which include Letters from Santa, Holiday and events. Despite COVID-19 and the Wreath making, a Light Decorating contest and a Snowman uncertainty surrounding it, we are still Building contest. Come join us at these fun and safe events! planning our Winter programs and The Recreation Department oversees and manages over services at this time with additional 166 acres including 25 sites, 18 fields, 10 playgrounds and safety measures and guidelines. Our class 16 building structures. Recently we have completed work sizes are smaller to ensure physical and in Taftville with a new basketball court, along with a new social distancing, staff will be wearing pavilion through federal grant dollars. The irrigation systems masks and the facilities will be cleaned and sanitized often to on Fontaine soccer field and Ouellett softball fields are also ensure we are following state guidelines and best practices. complete and those systems are up and running. At Jennings We will follow all of the Governor’s Executive orders and CDC football field, the concession stand and septic system has been guidelines pertaining to sports and activities to maintain a safe, installed and the irrigation system installation is planned to healthy and engaging environment for all of our participants, start in late fall. We also have started planning and fundraising families and the community. This past summer and fall, we ran to reconstruct the Armstrong tennis courts on Mohegan Rd. many of our programs following these guidelines and we had a We currently have an active donation drive and any support is very successful seasons. appreciated! For early childhood age children, we are offering a fun filled You can register for all of these programs and more online, gymnastic inspired Mini Star Tumblers program where parents/ where registration is quick and simple. Go to our website guardians can enjoy time with their toddler using movement, at www.norwichct.org/recreation. We also have an active tumbling, music, parachutes, balls and obstacle courses. Facebook page @NorwichRec for updates. Among other amazing programs, we are offering a Smart Start The Recreation Department constantly strives to create program, where young athletes can dip their toes into the world community through people, parks and programs all year long. of athletics and learn the fundamentals of different sports each If you have a new idea or question, please call me anytime! week. For your older children, amongst all the fantastic programs Sincerely, this Winter, we are kicking it off with Karate for beginners, or for those who are excited to advance to the next level of Cheryl Hancin Preston learning. Our Dance for Beginners program explores ballet and jazz technique and we are also offering lacrosse, tennis and Cheryl Hancin Preston other sports to keep your children active this winter. Staff & Hours Our Mission: To provide opportunities and facilities that will promote health and fitness and enrich the quality of life for Norwich residents. RECREATION STAFF NORWICH RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Recreation Director: Cheryl Hancin-Preston The Advisory Board meets every other month and meetings are held Program Coordinator: Bob Kilpatrick the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Administrative Assistant: Vacant Facility Maintainer Supervisor: Loren Waggoner The role of Advisory Board is to study the recreation facilities and Maintainer II: Ken Cwirko program of the city and shall from time to time confer with the Maintainer I: Jimmy Haring chief executive officer of the city and advise him in respect to the Maintainer I: Vacant development and the use of the city’s parks and its recreation program. Human Services Director: Lee-Ann Gomes The chief executive officer of the city, with the advice of the board, shall have the supervision and management of such public CONTACT INFORMATION playgrounds, swimming pools, gymnasiums, recreation places, Norwich Recreation Department athletic fields and equipment and facilities used in connection 75 Mohegan Rd., Norwich, CT 06360 therewith as are now or may hereafter be established; shall Phone: (860) 823–3791 provide regulations for their use and shall arrange for a balanced Fax: (860) 823–3830 active recreational program for the inhabitants of the City of Norwich. Email: [email protected] Permits: [email protected] Board Members Jeff Blinderman Chairman OFFICE HOURS Derell Wilson Monday – Friday; 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (excluding federal holidays) William Nash Julie Feindt–Cagle Ray Stewart 2 NORWICH RECREATION WINTER 2021 General Information Mail/In Person or Online: We are excited to announce that we are at the discretion of the Recreation Department staff. Please call our office offering online registration; visit www.norwichct.org/recreation for for cancellation information at (860) 823-3791 if you have not heard from online registration. Completed paper registration forms may be mailed us 2 hours prior to the start of class. Please make sure emails provided or brought to: Norwich Recreation Dept., 75 Mohegan Road, Norwich, to the department are accurate, as this is typically the way we inform CT 06360. For after hours, a lock box is located outside the main door participants. The Rec. Dept. will make every effort to makeup classes. under the mailbox. Registration for programs is on a first come, first served basis. Pre– Use of Public Park/Field: A permit is required for use of some parks and registration is required for all programs. Registrations must be made playing fields. Requests may be e-mailed to rpermits@cityofnorwich. before the start of all programs. The Rec. Dept. does not call to confirm org. Fees may apply. registrations. We will only call if the program does not run. Registration received after the start of the program will not be pro–rated. Medical Conditions/Special Needs: If you have a medical condition that, you would like us to be aware of during your participation in our Residents: Any person/s that resides in the City of Norwich pays the programs, please note this on your registration form. ‘resident’ fee. Participant Behavior: Participants are expected to exhibit appropriate Payment: We accept cash, debit, credit, check, or money order. Checks behavior at all times. Participants shall behave in a safe and can be made out to the Norwich Recreation Department. There is a $30 responsible manner, show courtesy and respect to other participants, return fee for non–sufficient funds. volunteers and staff, and treat equipment and facilities with care. We use a positive approach to behavior management. However, we reserve Scholarships: Scholarships will be awarded if scholarship money the right to take appropriate action based on an evaluation of each is available. You can find the forms on our website or contact the situation on its own merits. Recreation Dept. Insurance/Medical: The City of Norwich has liability insurance but does Refund Policy: The Recreation Department reserves the right to cancel, not carry accident insurance for participants. Personal health and accident postpone, or change classes. If insufficient enrollment causes the insurance is recommended. All participants must sign the medical release/ cancellation of a class, a full refund will be given. Refunds will not be parental permission slip form before participating in our programs. issued after the second class of a program. Parental signature is required for those under the age of eighteen. Satisfaction Guarantee: Norwich Recreation is committed to providing Photo Policy: Any photographs taken of participants of the Norwich the highest quality service to our customers. If you are not fully Recreation Department programs or activities may be used for satisfied with any of our services or classes, we want to hear from you. publication or advertising materials such as brochures, flyers and online. Please give us the opportunity to resolve your issue. Participants not wishing to have a photograph of them used must submit a request in writing not to be photographed at the time of registration. Cancellations: Recreation programs, which are run in Norwich Public Schools, are cancelled when schools are closed or when after school OOPS! Despite our best efforts, sometimes errors sneak into print programs are cancelled. Programs run at any other location are cancelled or onto the web. We apologize for any problems this may cause. Sports League Contacts Sports League Contacts: The following leagues are independent of the Recreation Dept. Check league websites for detailed contact information. Norwich Youth Football .. Facebook Norwich Wildcats Youth Football PAL (Baseball, Basketball, Soccer) ...................................norwichpal.org Norwich Little League Baseball/Softball ......... norwichlittleleague.com Norwich Youth Lacrosse................................. norwichyouthlacrosse.org Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Baseball– PAL ..............................norwichpal.org Mohegan Striders ......................................................moheganstriders.org Norwich