WESTFIELD-Programming for all ages is at the heart of year-round planning by the Westfield Parks and Recreation Department, according to Jim Blascak, program coordinator.
On Friday morning at the Municipal Playground, Blascak said programs continue to evolve including a new course this spring, Women’s License to Carry (LTC), on May 20.
Jim Blascak, program coordinator for the Westfield Parks and Recreation Department, is seen at the Municipal Playground.
“We want to offer more adult programming,” said Blascak, noting the collaboration planned with Guns Inc. in West Springfield for the LTC program. The 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. course will certify participants (age 18 and older) who plan to apply for a Class A LTC or FID card through one’s local police department. Course topics include the safe handling, operation and storage of a variety of firearms and ammunition in the home, as well as the proper transportation of firearms outside the home. The deadline to register for the course is May 17 and the cost is $75. As part of the course, a live fire session is planned, however, a date has not been set.
Spring programming for adults also includes a tennis program planned on six Wednesdays starting on May 23 at the Municipal Playground. The 6 to 7:15 p.m. sessions will focus on skill, building toward mixed doubles and doubles match play. The fee is $60.
A “Bootcamp with Dacia” is also a new training course, featuring outdoor workouts that include stretching, running drills, bodyweight exercises and some weighted exercises. Dacia Lucas, a “Bootcamp” and “Spark” instructor at Expert Fitness, will lead the six-week course on Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. which starts June 7. The cost is $69 and participants need to bring a mat and water to the Half Mile Falls Park on the city’s north side.
“We are always looking for new ideas for programs,” said Blascak.
While the playgrounds across the city are open, a Summer Playground Program on weekdays will be available July 2 through Aug. 3.
“The Municipal and Chapman playgrounds tend to be busier but all of our playgrounds have a decent attendance,” said Blascak. “We encourage parents to consider the playground program since it is a great way for kids to socialize and we offer a lot of things to do from games and crafts to tournaments and special themed days including scavenger hunts.”
The free summer program is supervised by two to three qualified staff members who are CPR and first aid certified. No registration is required.
The summer program is offered at the Papermill, Munger Hill School, Municipal, Hampton Ponds, Chapman and Sadie Knox playgrounds from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There is no program provided on July 4.
“Our Adventure Zone is also a hidden gem,” said Blascak, noting the day care program is “very affordable.”
Adventure Zone is a full day program for ages 5 to 12 that features arts and crafts, field trips, sports, environmental activities, guest speakers and swimming once a week at the Agawam State Pool.
Special events also coming up next month include the popular 18th Annual Big Wheel 500 on June 3 at Westfield High School, and the Mother/Daughter Miniature Golf Tournament and the Father/Son Miniature Golf Tournament, both conducted on June 16 at Golf Acres in Westfield.
Rounding out the summer programming schedule includes child and babysitting safety programs, CPR and first aid for kids, and camps for soccer, golf, volleyball, field hockey, skateboarding, tennis, horseback riding, baseball and martial arts. Additionally, artistic courses include 3-D drawing and lettering, cartooning, painting and drawing.
The Parks and Recreation Department catalog can be picked up at several locations across the city.
Lastly, courses are offered in dance and the theater.
For more information on any program, call (413) 572-6263 or visit www.cityofwestfield.org, select departments, select parks/recreation department. The spring-summer catalogs are also available at key sites across the city, including City Hall, the Westfield Athenaeum, and the Parks and Recreation office. Registration forms are on the website as well as in the back of the catalog.
For persons who are also interested in pickle ball play, there are boundary lines drawn on several of the tennis courts at the Municipal Playground.
“The sport has really taken off,” said Blascak, adding he expects to have some of the current tennis courts at the Municipal Playground to be specifically set up for pickle ball by next spring.
