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| Windham's Parks and Recreation Department has detailed information about where to go cross-country skiing, ice skating or snowshoeing in town, including a color-coded map that indicates the conditions on the trails. FILE PHOTO |
During the long Maine winter, cabin fever can quickly set in, especially during a pandemic when indoor recreational activities are limited. The Windham Parks and Recreation Department has several programs designed to encourage people in the community to embrace the season, get outside, and enjoy the parks and trails in the area.
One program that has been gaining attention in the past couple of years is their snowshoe loan program, said Deputy Director Kelsey Crowe. Windham Parks and Recreation has both adult and youth sized snowshoes available to borrow at no charge, and reservations are not required.
Snowshoes can be checked out at the Parks and Recreation office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Groups are encouraged to call ahead to check availability.
Crowe said the snowshoes can be borrowed for a few days to a week at a time.
“If someone wants to borrow them a little longer, we ask them to call us and let us know, so we know where our snowshoes are,” she said.
Another popular destination is the outdoor skating rink on Chaffin Pond at Lippman Park.
For some old-fashioned fun, the department hosts a couple of “S’mores and Skate Nights.” These are scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 28 and Feb. 22 this winter. No registration is required, and there is no charge. The evenings include fire pits, lights and music, along with s’mores supplies and hot cocoa.
“Usually, we have a pretty good group come, Crowe said. “It’s a fun outdoor activity to do at night at our park.”
Winter Adventure Bingo was created during the pandemic to help get people outside and active. Although there wasn’t a lot of participation last winter, Crowe said, she’s hoping that it’s an event that can grow.
Bingo Cards detailing a variety of winter experiences such as sledding, ice skating, finding animal tracks in the snow, having a snowball fight, building a snowman, and much more can be printed or picked up at the Parks and Recreation office.
Participants should take photos of their activities as they complete the Bingo squares. Upon completing five activities in a row in any direction, people can return the card and photos to Parks and Recreation and receive a small bag of winter items, such as hot cocoa mix and hand-warmers, for their efforts. Bingo cards must be returned by March 4 to receive a prize.
“It’s just a fun thing to do, with your family or friends, where you don’t have to be inside and you can check out our trails around town,” Crowe said.
The Parks and Recreation website also details groomed trails and has information on where to skate, cross country ski or snowshoe in town, including a color-coded map that indicates the conditions on the trails, Crowe said.
Many of these programs have been offered before, she said.
“We do them year to year because people enjoy them,” Crowe said
Their goal as a department is to promote the parks and trails available in the community so people can get outside and have fun with their families.
“That’s all we’re looking for. We want families and kids to have fun,” Crowe said. “We want to provide stuff for them to do so they’re not stuck at home inside.” <
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