Windham Parks and Recreation prepares for sunny months ahead

Windham Parks and Recreation welcomes the
public to a ribbon-cutting celebration at
10 a.m. Saturday, April 9 to showcase changes
and improvements made at Lowell Preserve
in Windham over the past year.
FILE PHOTO  

By Collette Hayes

With warmer weather just around the corner, the Windham Parks and Recreation Department is preparing for the sunny months ahead.

Summer camps and outdoor adventures filled with hikes, guided walks, sports, parades, crafts, games in the park and swimming are just a few of the many activities being planned to keep the entire family cool, active and entertained.

A ribbon-cutting celebration will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 9 to launch all the changes and improvements that have been taking place over the past year to the Lowell Preserve. Windham Parks and Recreation entered into a partnership with the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust to allow the land trust to place a conservation easement on the Lowell Preserve which conserves 308 acres of wilderness. The land is now permanently protected from development and from being subdivided. Hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and mountain biking trails have all been improved for better accessibility.

“With the help of the land trust, and many volunteers, multi-use trails have now all been improved,” said Linda Brooks, Windham Parks and Recreation Director. “After the brief ribbon cutting ceremony, groups will be taken into the preserve on guided walks to see and enjoy the upgrades.”

Preparations for the second annual Windham-wide Easter Egg hunt are under way and scheduled for April 11 to April 20. The Easter Egg Hunt will encourage families to visit local businesses and town departments while enjoying time together.

According to Brooks, community members will drive around Windham ”hunting” for the eggs that participating businesses and town departments have received to display. Prize drawings will be held for participants who find half or more of the Easter eggs.

“We are still looking for additional businesses and town departments to participate in the Easter Egg hunt,” said Brooks. Those interested in displaying an egg sign can register to participate by completing a sponsorship form available on the Windham Parks and Recreation website.” 

 

The Easter Bunny will drive into town in his convertible on Saturday, April 16 to lead the Windham Easter Bunny Parade. The parade will begin winding through the town of Windham at 10 a.m. The Parks and Recreation department will publish the parade route online ahead of time and for those not right on the parade route, there will be places of gathering such as the Windham Mall parking lot.

During the last two years, because of the challenges of COVID-19, the Parks and Recreation Department has had to run a unique modified version of its popular Summer Day Camp. This year, Summer Day Camp will return to what people have been accustomed to in the past. Camp begins June 20 and runs through Aug. 5. Camp participants will be enjoying more fieldtrips and activities that recently were limited because of COVID restrictions. There are openings for Summer Day Camp counselors including positions available for students 16 years of age and older.

“This year we will be offering a Counselor in Training program,” said Brooks. The CIT program is a volunteer program designed for teens who will be 15 as of June 15 and are interested in receiving camp counselor training. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 13. More information about the program can be found by contacting Windham Parks and Recreation.

Dundee Park opens Memorial Day weekend. The weekend prior to the park opening there will be a Family Beach Party held at the park. It will be a family friendly evening of dancing, entertainment, activities and more. Pre-registration is required, and ticket sales open April 4.

“Groups that are looking for a community service project might consider helping us to open Dundee Park,” said Brooks. This would include clearing limbs and branches that have fallen during the winter months and trash cleanup.”

Tennis in the park will be offered once again this year. The program is led by a United States Tennis Association-approved coach. The program is perfect for first-time and beginning players, as well as returning novice players.

Windham SummerFest is scheduled for June 18 and this year’s theme is “Bringing Unity to the Community.” There are a number of ways to participate and registration applications are now being accepted for community organizations, businesses or anyone who would like to be involved. The Summerfest parade will begin at noon and all businesses, individuals and community organizations are invited to enter a float or performance in the parade.

“All of the food for Summerfest is provided by the community,” said Brooks. “It’s a great opportunity for community non-profit organizations to raise money since there are no commercial food vendors involved in the event. In addition to booths to promote and market a company’s latest products and services, there is a full slate of entertainment that will run throughout the day ending with a spectacular fireworks show at night.”

For more information on how to become involved in the Summerfest event, visit the Summerfest website at www.windhamsummerfest.com.

For more information about any of the events, programs or activities hosted by Windham Parks and Recreation, visit the Windham Parks and Recreation website at https://windhamme.myrec.com/info/default.aspx <