Looking for some family fun and entertainment this summer? Montville’s Parks and Recreation Commission encourages residents to check out some expanded activities. This includes the town’s first summer concert series at the Oakdale Pavilion kicking off at the end of this month.
Jim Butler, Parks and Recreation Director, has lined up The Shoreline Connection to play on Tuesday, July 29. The Higganum-based group plays a wide range of forgotten favorites from the 60s and 70s, from Elvis and the Eagles to Santana. The Kelly Company on Tuesday, August 19, is a soulful blues/rock and punk band. Butler is checking with other bands for future dates.
The Commissioners decided in March to give the concerts a try. The Mohegan tribe donated $1,000 to help get the program off of the ground, according to Stanley Gwudz, Commission chairman.
“We are really looking for a way for the residents of Montville to come together,” said Dorothy “Dot” Murtha, one of the seven appointed commissioners. “It is our goal to provide recreation to all ages at a little or no cost to them. We have a wonderful pavilion and it's great to be able to put it to good use this summer for the outdoor concerts.”
The goal is to bring in four bands on different evenings and invite people to bring their lawn chairs, pack a picnic or snacks and non-alcoholic beverages for a relaxing evening of music.
“Most people think Parks and Rec is all about sports and all about the younger generation,” said Nancy delaCruz, Commission secretary. “That's why were are trying these concerts as something new. With the economy the way it is, these activities are for the whole family, free of charge, and in our backyard.”
DelaCruz said the concerts also are a good way to meet new people in town in a relaxing atmosphere and not have to travel very far.
“We are trying different types of bands to appeal to various age groups. We can only try and learn from it,” she added.
Murtha said she also is researching how to put on a Teen BandJam for the first time this summer.
Gwudz said that if the concerts go over well, the department might increase it to one every week next summer.
The commission is continuing to figure out what the populace of Montville wants and can afford from its town in the way of community activities. Earlier this year, it conducted a limited survey of town residents.
“The purpose of the survey was to incorporate the feedback of the taxpayers of Montville and to provide services they are looking for,” said Eileen Cicchese, another commissioner. She and deLacruz compiled the survey results.
The survey was offered online and could be picked up at town hall and at least one area merchant. Only 70 people responded, Gwudz said, hardly a statistically valid reading of town sentiment.
“I don’t know if we don’t do a good job of marketing or the people of Montville are just too busy to give us the input,” said Gwudz, who noted that only 8 percent of residents showed up to vote in 2007 on a proposal to renovate Fair Oaks School, steps that could have led to a community center for the town. That $2.8 million proposal was defeated 643 to 146.
One of the things the commission is working on is to come up with a consistent method of evaluating programs and seeing what people like and don’t like, Cicchese said.
At its July meeting, the commission will appoint a parks and recreation assessment subcommittee for programs and activities.
“We’ll take it a step further to find out what the townspeople are really looking for,” Gwudz said.
The commission has already implemented at least one piece of advice from respondents, she said, by coordinating with Adult Education Department, Youth Center and Senior Center to put out one brochure, in color, that lists all programs offered by the three departments. The coordination also minimizes duplication of offerings.
“We have some new commission members who are working with the more experienced members,” Cicchese said. “Together we’re coming up with good ideas and there’s a lot of energy and interest.”
The schedule of Parks and Recreation Commission monthly meetings and minutes of past meetings are posted on the town website, www.townofmontville.org
Summer Camp!
For anyone with young kids, July in Montville is synonymous with Summer Camp. This year’s program at Fair Oaks School got underway on June 30 for Montville children ages 5 to 12 and will continue through July 31. Camp session runs Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and children can attend one or five days a week for the $10 weekly fee.
Butler said families can still sign up for camp by contacting the parks and recreation department.
The camp can run anywhere from 100 to 300 kids on any given day, Gwudz said, because of other family commitments over the summer and the popularity of specific events.
The chaperoned field trips range from bowling and roller skating to a day at Ocean Beach, Mystic Aquarium and a Connecticut Defenders game. Additional fees for entrance to the activities are posted on summer camp schedule on the department website.
“We’re trying to do more field trips this year, which are always popular,” he said. A second field trip bus, added this summer, is expected to do away with the field trip wait list of past years.
Summer camp activities also include an Olympic sports competition with track and field events on Thursday, July 24, camp carnival day on Monday, July 28, and the ever-popular camp talent show on the last day, Wednesday, July 30 at Leonard J. Tyl Middle School. Throughout the camp, adult and teenage counselors introduce the children to a wide variety of team building exercises and foster social development through age-appropriate games, challenges and play activities.
For adults, there is a new co-ed softball league. The free, pick-up style games are on Sundays in July and early August. Laura Tanner, an Oakdale resident, is helping organize the program.
“There has been a great response and I feel that it will most likely grow in the next years,” Murtha said. “Laura has been eager to get this going for some time.”
The twenty-first annual masters road race, a 6.2 mile race sponsored by the Montville Parks and Recreation Department and Rotary Club, was Sunday, July 20. The race is open to men and women 40 years and older.
For more information about these and other Montville Parks and Recreation programs, registration and fees, go to www.townofmontville.org or call the department at 860-848-3030, ext. 322.
Summer Concerts at Camp Oakdale Pavilion
Route 163
Town of Montville Parks and Recreation
Tuesday, July 29 Shoreline Connection 6:30 – 8 pm
Tuesday, August 19 The Kelly Company 6:00 – 8 pm
Other dates and bands to be announced