Portland Parks & Recreation Activities

Portland Parks and Recreation news for the week of June 13:

To register or to obtain additional information for any Parks and Recreation programs, please call 860-342-6757, or you may go online to www.portlandct.org, click on Departments, then to Parks and Recreation. The individual registration forms will be listed as a link on the web page. Forms can be printed, completed and returned back to the Parks & Recreation office. Registration Forms must be completed for each program prior to the program start date. The Parks and Recreation Hotline is 860-262-7234. This number is for closures and cancellations or updates.

The Parks and Recreation Summer Playground Information and Summer Sport Camps are all available at the Parks & Recreation Office or on line at www.portlandct.org

Weight Watchers

Parks & Recreation currently has a very successful Weight Watchers group which meets at The Buck Foreman Community Center on Thursday evenings at 6:45 p.m. Congratulations to the current 14 participants who have lost a total of over 157 lbs! The next session will start in early July and run for 14 weeks. If you have ever thought about joining Weight Watchers, now is the time!  The convenience of an in town meeting is amazing!  For full details please contact the Parks & Recreation Department.

Sky Hawks Tiny Hawk Summer Camp

The essentials of soccer and basketball are introduced in a fun, safe environment with lost of encouragement. Campers must be between 42 and 48 months of age and toilet trained in order to participate. Youth will learn balance, body movement, hand/eye coordination and skill development through a series of sport-specific games. This camp is open to ages 3 and 4 (parents must stay on site). The program is held Monday through Thursday, session one is 4:30 to 5:15 and session two is 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. held at Gildersleeve School June 20 to 23. The fee is $45 per session.

American Red Cross “Babysitting”

This program provides youth ages 11 to 15 who are planning to babysit with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and responsibly give care for children and infants. The training will help develop leadership skills, learn how to develop a babysitting business, choose safe & appropriate toys and games, diapering, bedtime and keep themselves and others safe, along with basic child care and basic first aid. Class is held Tuesday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Buck Foreman Community Center. The fee is $55.

Swimming Lessons

This year the Parks and Recreation Department will offer swimming lessons at the Northern Middlesex YMCA. The program is offered to campers in the Gildersleeve Playground Program and the Playground Plus Program. The YMCA will provide the transportation. If your child is registered for either of the above playground programs, the lessons will be in two week blocks, so campers must be signed up for both weeks of the session to qualify for the lessons. There is an additional fee along with the regular playground fee. 

Also, there is a new program for non-summer playground participants.

We have decided to open the program up to all town residents. We will have staff that will sign your child in and supervise them during the bus trip and lesson. The bus pick up will be at 12:30 from Gildersleeve School and drop off will be 2:45 at Gildersleeve.

Session 1 – June 27 to July 1 (no July 4th). Session 2 – July 11 to July 21. Session 3 – July 25 to Aug. 4. Session 4 – Aug. 8 to Aug. 18. The fee is $92. 

Sky Hawks Tennis

Sky Hawks Sports Tennis focuses on skill refinement as well as practice and match play to develop consistent, well-rounded tennis players. Players learn proper grips, footwork, strokes, volleys and serves during a series of drills designed to teach skills in a fun and dynamic way! This program is open to youth ages 7 to 12. The group will meet at Portland High School Tennis Courts from 9 to noon, June 27 to July 1. The fee is $99.

Sky Hawks Tee Ball Camp

This program is designed to teach the fundamental skills of t-ball, fielding, catching, throwing, hitting and base running. This program is open to ages 5 and 6 and will meet at Valley View School from 5 to 6:30 p.m. June 27 to July 1. The fee is $49.

Portland Parks Walking Club; Walking the Parks

The Portland Parks and Recreation Department has started a walking club this spring. It a great way to get to know the Town of Portland Parks, meet some new people, and get some exercise. Please call the Parks and Recreation Office if you are interested in joining.  The walks will be between 2 to 3 miles.  Everyone can walk at there own pace.  Each week we will start from a different location in town. 

The program is free. Meet Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. at the Buck Foreman Community Center.

Baseball Trips

The Parks and Recreation office is offering the following baseball trips through Dattco bus Company to Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park. Departure from Portland will be at the Brownstone Intermediate School, 314 Main St. and the bus will depart one half hour after the game ends.

Red Sox vs. Baltimore, Sunday, July 10, at Fenway Park. Tickets are Section Right Field Grandstand, Section 7 for a 1:35 p.m. game. The cost is $96. Depart at 8:30 a.m.

Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay, Saturday, Sept. 17, at Fenway Park for a 7:10 p.m. game! Tickets are Section Right Field Box 89, the cost is $111. Depart at 2:15 p.m.