ABOUT THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT
The Harwinton Recreation Department is committed to providing and improving leisure services to all members of our community. We hope you will take advantage of the activities and events offered.
A seasonal flyer describing programs offered by the Recreation Commission is published four times each year and is available at Town Hall or by calling the Recreation Director.
Harwinton Recreation Department
100 Bentley Drive
Harwinton, Connecticut 06791
Telephone Number (860) 485-0626Fax Number (860) 485-0051E mail recreation@harwinton.us
Office Hours Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Recreation Director: Suzanne Stich
Commission Chairman: Michael Flowers
Commission Members: Barbara Gilbert, John Goodno, Beth Lentz,
AnnaMarie Lindsay, Cindy Muhl, Bruce Wilcox
CONSERVATION/RECREATION AREA
Residents are encouraged to use the Conservation/Recreation Area. There are great places to picnic, hike, sled and cross-country ski. Trail maps can be picked up at Town Hall and at the information board at the Conservation/Recreation Area. Each spring the pond is stocked with trout. The Charlotte Ryan Playground is located here as well as a pavilion and three tennis courts. Groups wishing to use the area are asked to clear their date with the Recreation Director to avoid conflicts.
TENNIS COURTS
Three tennis courts are located at the Conservation/Recreation Area. Season passes are available for purchase at the Town Hall from the Recreation Director and the Town Clerk. Pass holders have free use of the courts, may reserve the courts 3 days in advance, may invite guests, may ask others to yield the court if the other person does not have a pass and all courts are in use. Proceeds from passes and tournament fees are used for maintenance and resurfacing of the courts.
Pass fees for residents are: $20/family, $10/individual, free/student.
Non-resident pass fees are: $40/family, $20/individual, $10/studentThe Annual Open Tennis Tournament is sponsored with the Harwinton Tennis Association. The tournament consists of nine separate round robin events played during June, July and August.
PROJECT GRADUATION
Project Graduation is an alcohol free, substance free, after graduation party for the seniors of Lewis Mills High School. The Recreation Departments of Harwinton and Burlington sponsor the event with a tremendous amount of assistance from parents and the community. Planning and preparation is a year long process. Anyone interested is welcome to attend the planning meetings held at Lewis Mills High School at 7:00 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month, September-May. (No meeting in Nov. & Dec.) Please help by supporting the fund-raisers.
HARWINTON SENIOR CENTER
The Harwinton Senior Center, located on Weingart Road, is the site of a number of activities and programs.Every Tuesday & Thursday a nutritious lunch is served here. The Litchfield Hills/Northwest Elderly Nutrition Program sponsors this program called Community Café. Call 482-4151 by 1:00 p.m. the day before to reserve your meal.
Harwinton’s senior citizen organization, the Sundowners, meet here the first Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
Every Tuesday and Thursday come to play bingo or cards. These activities follow the luncheon program and are open to everyone.On Monday mornings from 10 a.m. -12 n join fellow aspiring artists for a painting session. (Does not meet during winter months.)
For more information on these programs or to schedule use of the Senior Center call 689-1951.
ADDITIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
HARWINTON YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATION
The Harwinton Youth Sports Association (HYSA) sponsors instructional and competitive sports programs for boys & girls. Their winter basketball program is for children in grades 2-12. The baseball and softball leagues for students 5-15 yr. compete in spring & summer. Micro-soccer for pre-school-grade 2 is offered in spring and fall. Contact Eric Harrigan, HYSA president, at 485-1965 for information and registration dates. Babe Ruth Baseball, Babe Ruth Softball, and American Legion Baseball opportunities are also available to Harwinton residents. Call 485-0626 for registration information.
BURLINGTON JUNIOR SOCCER ASSOCIATION
This soccer association serves youth from both Harwinton & Burlington. Programs are offered for grades 3-12 in the spring, and grades 3-8 in the fall. For more information and registration dates contact BJSA president, Ron Packard at 675-5411.
RURAL TRANSIT DIAL-A-RIDE
The Northwestern Connecticut Transit District provides door-to-door transportation for any person (in any age group) in the 16 towns it serves, which includes Harwinton. Services are provided from Harwinton to towns within the Northwest Connecticut area, as well as an inter-regional service to other out of area towns. The nominal fare varies, depending on the destination. Disabled ride for half fare, elderly ride free on a donation basis. Transportation is provided to nutrition programs, doctor & medical appointments, shopping, and other social & personal purposes. Group excursions can also be arranged. Reservations are on a first come, first served basis, by calling Northwestern Connecticut Transit District at 489-2535.
HARWINTON RECREATION REGISTRATION PROCEDURE
1. Complete a separate Registration Form for each person registering & return to:
Recreation Director, 100 Bentley Dr., Harwinton
Registration Forms are available at Town Hall from the Recreation Director and the Town Clerk.
2. Registration Forms may be mailed or dropped off at Town Hall, Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Include check payable to “Harwinton Recreation” with your registration form.
3. All programs requiring pre-registration have limited spaces. Registrations accepted on a first come, first served basis. Most programs have a registration deadline. If no deadline is noted, registrations will be accepted until all spaces are filled. Registering on time helps prevent program cancellations.
4. Harwinton residents are given priority placement in all programs. Registrations from non-residents are accepted for most programs beginning one week following the start of open registration.