Outdoors
Greenwich Boat Show 2019

Greenwich Boat Show Coming April 6, 7 with Free Admission, Free Sea Trials

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This April, boaters will rendezvous at Cos Cob in Greenwich for the Greenwich Boat Show, which features a large, diverse selection of new boats and the only show offering both free sea trials and free admission. This year, the show takes place on April 6 and 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, along the Mianus River. — an announcement from the Greenwich Boat Show

With 23 dealers bringing more than 100 boats from over 50 manufacturers, boaters will have plenty of vessels to try on the open water of Long Island Sound. The dealers involved include Oyster Harbors Marine, Petzolds Marine Center, Portland Boat Works, Essex Marine Group, Twin Hull Boats, All Seasons Marine Works, Essex Boat Works, Bassett Yacht and Boat Sales, and Marine Max. Also at the show will be Catalano and Sons, A & S Boats, Gerard’s Marina, Total Marine, Ribcraft, Mountain Motors and Beacon Point Marine.

Recreation
Waveny Pool

New Canaan Approves Summer 2019 Fee Structure for Waveny Pool

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The out-of-town price for using the Waveny Pool in New Canaan will increase $25 to $1,225 in 2019, the New Canaan Board of Selectmen decided on Tuesday when it passed a new slate of fees. — This article previously was published by NewCanaanite.com. In its unanimous vote, the board decided rates for season passes will hold at $455 for New Canaan families. As in years past, a total of 100 nonresident family passes will be sold following a lottery. Here’s a look at the fees:

The town-owned, self-sustaining Waveny Pool is open each year from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Classes
Darien Parks and Recreation Department Winter Spring Catalogue Catalog 2019

Registration for Beach Permits and Spring, Summer Programs Starts March 6: Here Are Some Offerings

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Darien Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce that registration for 2019 spring & summer programs, as well as the sale of 2019 beach permits, will begin on Wednesday, March 6 online, here. Program registration and beach permit sales will also be accepted through the mail or in-person in Room 110 of the Darien Town Hall, starting March 6. — an announcement from Darien Parks and Recreation Department

For more information please call the office at 203-656-7325. Darien Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of programs for town residents. Program offerings will be accessible online starting Friday, Jan.

Healthy Living
Thanksgiving Weekend Waddle in New Canaan Nature Center 2018

Join the Thanksgiving Weekend Waddle on Saturday Morning at the New Canaan Nature Center

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Grab the entire family (and any lingering holiday visitors too!) and head on down to the New Canaan Nature Center to join the NCNC naturalists for a healthy, invigorating trail trek to work off that holiday meal. As an extra Thanksgiving bonus, after our hike, you’ll also get to enjoy a FREE behind the scenes tour of our animal care facilities and Birds of Prey Exhibit — our way of saying “thank you” to the community. See also — another walk in the woods:

Take a Walk on Saturday Through Selleck’s and Dunlap Nature Preserve with Darien Land Trust Members

If You’re Going … Naturalist-led Trail Treks depart the Sugar Shack at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24.

Parents & Kids
Wood Shop class Darien Parks and Rec 2018

At Least One of These Programs Should Excite You or Your Kid: Park and Rec Registration Now Open

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Registration is now open for all Darien Parks and Recreation Department winter programs.

— an announcement from the Darien Parks and Recreation Department

Offerings include: 
Toddler/Preschool
New Level Tennis Lessons

Tiny Tots Soccer

Little Athletes Fencing

Mad Science

Elementary School
Junior Tennis @ Kings Highway, Junior Paddle Tennis, Blue Wave Kickers Indoor Soccer, Horseback Riding, February Vacation Camp, Future Stars Basketball, Blue Wave Wrestling Club w/DHS coaches, Archery, Fencing, Girls Yoga, Minecraft, STEM classes, Mad Science, Music Lessons (Piano, Drum, Guitar), Wood shop for Kids, Cooking Classes, Sewing Classes, Cupcake Club. Middle/High School

Junior Paddle Tennis, Horseback Riding, Boys Indoor Soccer w/DHS coaches, Girls Indoor Soccer w/DHS coaches, Blue Wave Wrestling Club w/DHS coaches, Archery, Fencing, Girls Yoga, Music Lessons (Drum, Guitar). Adult Programs
Paddle Tennis Lessons, Indoor Tennis Lessons @ Kings Highway, Archery, Drop-in Volleyball, Drop-in Basketball, Hiit 2B Fit (Boot Camp), Core Yoga, Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Stroller Barre, Scrapbooking, Guitar Lessons. To Find Out More
Please visit the Park and Recreation Department’s Web pages for more information, to register and to view our fall & winter brochure. For more information or for clarification, please call the office at 203-656-7325.

Government & Politics
Weed Beach Darien Parks & Recreation Department

Darien Parks and Recreation Fall Program Registration, Paddle Tennis Reservations Later This Month

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You can register starting late in August for fall programs administered by Darien Parks and Recreation Department, and there will be a lottery for paddle tennis block time. Registration for programs takes place online, at the Parks and Recreation office located in Town Hall, or through the mail. For more information, please call the office at 203-656-7325. Fall and Winter Brochure
The Darien Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce online registration for fall and winter programs. Registration for all fall and winter programs will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 29 online, here.

Healthy Living
Sun Exposure Display Weed Beach Pear Tree Point Beach

Displays Showing Real-Time Dangers of Sun Exposure Installed at Town Beaches

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A display to inform beachgoers about the dangers of sun exposure and UV levels in real time has been set up at both Weed Beach and Pear Tree Point Beach.  

The “modular sun safety education system,” also shows information on recommendations to protect yourself from dangerous levels of sun exposure, according to an announcement from the Darien Parks & Recreation Department and the company that created and donated the display. Darien is the first town to receive the innovative products as part of the SOLaware Technologies’ summer pilot program in Connecticut. Darien Health Director David Knauf worked to get Darien as a participant in the pilot program, resulting in the town becoming the earliest partner to get the displays, according to the announcement. “Sun safety is one of my priority educational areas as health director, and the SOLaware solution is a great way to raise awareness within our community,” Knauf said.

Outdoors
Lifeguard by Eva Pace Waveny Pool NewCanaanite.com

At Waveny Pool, Just North of Darien, New Canaan Welcomes Out-of-Towners

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In recent summers, more out-of-town families have been using New Canaan’s  Waveny Pool, just north of the Darien border in Waveny Park, and the town is welcoming them. In preparation for this year’s season, which once again saw an uptick in interest among new users, Waveny Pool concentrated on maintenance of the facility, according to New Canaan Recreation Director Steve Benko. (An employee at the New Canaan Recreation Department said registrations for the pool are part of a lottery, which is now over, and only 100 registrations for nonresidents go out.)

— This article previously was published by NewCanaanite.com. Both pool heaters are active and working, Benko said, the locker rooms have been entirely re-painted and wood re-stained. The town-owned and -operated facility’s strongest client base tends to be families, but they generally don’t think about buying passes until summer weather comes along, according to Benko.

Parents & Kids
Darien Parks and Recreation Department Summer Camp soccer 2018

You Can Still Register for Summer 2018 Programs and Summer Camps from Darien Parks & Rec

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The Darien Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of programs for the residents of Darien. Registration for programs takes place online, at the Parks and Recreation office located in Town Hall, or through the mail. For more information please call the office at 203-656-7325. FAMILY PROGRAMS
Safe Boating Classes: Boat Safe Connecticut, LLC comes to Darien to offer this eight hour course that will meet the requirements to obtain a Connecticut Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation with Waterski endorsement from the CT DEEP. Our first class will meet on Saturday, June 16th from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM at Weed Bach while the second class will be held on Tuesday, July 10th and Thursday, July 12th from 6 – 10 PM at the Darien Town Hall.

Community Organizations
Crossing Thresholds woman and child

Cycle with JoyRide Westport at Noon on Friday to Help Rebuild a School in Africa

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 JoyRide Cycling + Fitness Studio, a boutique studio for indoor cycling and cross-training classes, will host a fundraising ride at 12 noon on Friday, April 20 at the Westport studio to help fund rebuilding a school in Africa. Rev. Gary Morello of First Congregational Church of Darien, who is also a former JoyRide instructor and Darien resident, will lead a team of 75 people, including JoyRide co-owner and lead instructor Rhodie Lorenz and her family, Westport residents, this June. The goal of the mission is to rebuild a school that burned down before Christmas last year, providing a safe place to learn for more than 300 children in the Kibera Slum of Nairobi. “All children across the globe should have equal opportunities to succeed but unfortunately this doesn’t currently exist,” said Morello, who who has participated in five missions to Kibera with the American organization Crossing Thresholds. “This is the conviction behind our purpose to build schools.

Government & Politics
Word cloud parks and recreation survey 09-19-17

Parks & Rec Commission Holding Off on Votes About Parks Master Plan, Ox Ridge Celebration

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The Darien Parks and Recreation Commission is postponing decisions related to the parks master plan, originally scheduled for its meeting Wednesday night, and instead will just hold another public hearing at Town Hall. Also being postponed is the opening celebration for the Ox Ridge fields. Instead, the celebration will be held next spring, Parks and Recreation Director Pamela Gery announced. Here’s the entire announcement:

The Parks & Recreation Commission and Department have received a groundswell of response to the concepts being considered as part of our Master Park Plan. This groundswell has resulted in considerable emotion and misinformation related to a number of the amenities being proposed.

Government & Politics
Stony Brook Park view 09-24-17 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DarienCTStonyBrookParkLookingWest11172007.JPG

Coming to a Park Near You? What Consultants Propose for Darien Parks

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Consultants hired by the town have made these recommendations for each of Darien’s public parks for a “master parks plan” meant to guide the town in making any improvements or changes to them. Town officials are asking the public for opinions about the recommendations. In this third article in a series, here’s what the consultants said about each park. Proposals for some other parks were covered in previous articles. All quotes are from Daniel Biggs, team leader for Weston & Sampson, who presented the recommendations at a public hearing on Sept.

Government & Politics
Option B pool Weed Beach 09-22-17

Changes for Both Darien Beaches Proposed by Consultants in Draft Parks Master Plan

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An amphitheater or an outdoor pool (or both) at Weed Beach, a fishing pier at Pear Tree Point Beach (either pointed south or west) and an expanded concession/comfort station there are among the ideas consultants have for improving the town’s two public beaches. The ideas came at a public hearing Wednesday by consultants working on a draft master parks plan for the Darien Parks and Recreation Commission. Not even the draft is finalized yet, but when the process is done, town officials hope to have guidelines for how to improve parks across Darien in years to come. The consultants — Daniel Biggs, team leader for Weston & Sampson, and Art Thatcher, principal-in-charge for GreenPlay LLC — said they were looking for feedback from the public in this and an upcoming public hearing, and they could change the proposals based on that and on ideas from the commission. Editor’s note: This article summarizes part of the presentation (concentrating on only some of the many proposals) and some of the reactions to it at the public hearing.

Government & Politics
Consultants master plan parks 09-22-17

Town Pool, Walking Trails Among Consultants’ Ideas in Draft Master Plan for Parks

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An outdoor pool at Cherry Lawn Park? Replacing two ball fields in front of Town Hall with an indoor pool and plenty of parking? Paddleboard courts at the Edgerton property? Those were some of the dozens of ideas consultants briefly outlined in a draft Darien parks master plan proposing big or small changes for each of the town’s parks and some other properties, including the town’s Edgerton and Ox Ridge tracts. The individual ideas for draft (not yet written) were described for about a half hour on Wednesday night, just before the first of two public hearings before the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Around Town
Darien Road Race Sidewalk 2015

Darien Road Race Registration Now Open, Event Takes Place Sept 17

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The 38th annual Darien Road Race is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 17 at Pear Tree Point Beach and includes a 10K and 1.5 mile Loop. Registration for the race is now open, and the first 500 registered runners will receive an official 2017 Darien Road Race performance t-shirt on race day. This year’s race will begin at 3:30 p.m. for the 1.5 mile Fun Run and 4:00 pm for the 10K. The race will feature “The Finish Line” tent with music, games, food trucks, sponsor booths, silent auction and an awards ceremony.