Public Swimming Schedules

John S. Martinez School - 100 James Street
Wednesday: 5pm-8pm
Saturdays: 10am-2pm
James Hillhouse High School - 480 Sherman Parkway
Thursday: 5pm-7pm and
Saturday: 10am-1pm

Click here to visit the Parks Sports and Recreation page for more information.

In this Issue:

• Sports and Recreation Programs
• Outdoor Adventure Club
• February Vacation Camp
• Family Fun Day
• Valentine Workshop
• Kayaking Classes
• Youth Archery
• Article: Harboring Waterfowl
• Ranger Program Schedule
• Edgewood Farmers Market
• Monthly Photo Galleries

Flag Football Clinic - Ages 5-7

Location: John Martinez School, 100 James St. New Haven, CT
Days and Time: Saturdays, 10:30am to 12:30pm

This introductory Flag Football Clinic teaches children the basic motor skills needed to excel in football. Each week children participate in a variety of drills and games directed to their age and skill level.

The Clinic runs for six Saturdays from February 16th to March 30th. There will be no session February 23rd during February Vacation.

For more information please contact:
Felicia C. Shashinka, Recreation Supervisor, New Haven Parks & Recreation,
fshashinka@newhavenct.net, Phone: (203) 946-8088, fax: (203) 946-2861

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Coed Basketball League – Grades 3 and 4

Location: John Martinez School, 100 James St. New Haven, CT
Days and Time: Practices Tuesday and Wednesdays, Games Thursdays and Fridays

The Coed Basketball League practices on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and has games on Thursdays and Fridays. Player showcases and free play takes place on Tuesday, February 5th and Wednesday, February 6th from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Games will run every Thursday and Friday from Thursday, February 7th to Friday March 29th. There will be no games or practices the week of February Vacation (Feb. 18 - 22). The league is free of charge.

For more information please contact:
Felicia C. Shashinka, Recreation Supervisor, New Haven Parks & Recreation,
fshashinka@newhavenct.net, Phone: (203) 946-8088, fax: (203) 946-2861

Free Family Fun Program

Saturday, February 9,2013
11:30am - 1:30pm
John S. Martinez School
100 James Street

Swimming, Arts & Crafts and Fitness for Everyone
Come show your kids you can do things too!

For more information please contact:
Felicia C. Shashinka, Recreation Supervisor, New Haven Parks & Recreation,
fshashinka@newhavenct.net, Phone: (203) 946-8088, fax: (203) 946-2861

February Vacation Camp

Registration is open. This year New Haven Department of Parks and Recreation is offering vacation camp in two locations (Trowbridge Environmental Center and Martinez School). Activities include rock climbing, ice skating, swimming, maple sugaring, bowling and more.

Camp extends from February 19-22, from 9 am to 3 pm. Cost: $65 per person, (plus money for some field trips).

For information, the schedule and registration forms visit the Parks website.
Please call 203-946-8027 for additional information.

Outdoor Adventure Club

Winter Hike
February 2, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Location: East Rock Ranger Station
Ages: 8-12
Cost: $5

Animal Tracking
February 16, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Location: Edgewood Park Ranger Station
Ages: 8-12
Cost: $5
Join the New Haven Park Rangers for an animal tracking program. Investigate Edgewood Park for signs of animals in winter.

To register or for information: call 203-946-6559 or email jmilone@newhavenct.net

Family Valentine's Card Making Workshop

Monday, February 11, 2013, 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Edgewood Ranger Station

Spark your creativity in the Valentine’s Card Making Workshop. We’ll have lots of rubber stamps, craft punches, cutters, papers, glitter and a variety of other tools to use.

For more information call (203) 691-3539

Kayaking Classes

Open Pool Sessions
On 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23 from 9:00 AM till 1:00 PM there will be open pool sessions at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven CT. These sessions are open to anyone wishing to practice their kayaking skills. Lessons and rental equipment are available upon request. Bring your own boat, or rent one of ours.
Cost $20 New Haven residents pay $15 Equipment rental $15

Tuesday Night Classes.
On 2/5, and 2/26 From 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm. This time is for kayak lessons. Our ACA Instructor are there to help you achieve your paddling goal whether it be learning to roll, capsize recoveries or just work on the boat handling skills. Upon request we can accommodate those who wish to work in a canoe. We use only ACA certified instructors in both kayak and canoe.
February 5: Boat Handling Skill Strokes and maneuvers
February 26: Bracing and rolling
Cost $60 per session New Haven residents pay $45

For more information or for pre-registration please contact:
Martin Torrresquintero Outdoor Adventure Coordinator 203 946 6768 mtorresq@Newhavenct.net

Youth Archery

Tuesdays, March 5, 12, 19 2013, 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Salperto Rink 350 Woodward Avenue, East Shore Park
Ages 8-14 Cost $45

The Beginner Archery series of classes concentrates on range rules, safety rules and fundamentals of archery, and is taught using recurve bows. The beginner session is appropriate for those who have never shot a bow, or those with some previous experience that are seeking a refresher session.

All safety gear and equipment will be provided. (Bow, arrows, finger tab, arm guard, quiver).
Class is limited to 10 students

For more information: call 203-946-6559 or email jmilone@newhavenct.net
To Register: Call 203-946-8027.

Harboring Waterfowl: Ducks, Geese, Swans, ...

This year’s winter has been fairly mild, with most of our coastal waters open and ice free. As a park ranger and birder, it is hard not to be impressed by the numbers and variety of waterfowl overwintering in our New Haven Harbor. This article will focus on species seen in our salt water habitat. Future articles will cover the fresh water and tidal realms. Due to large expanse and distances sometime involved in open water observation, it is highly recommended to have good pair of binoculars or even better a spotting scope to help view these waterfowl wonders as they float,dive and feed. When it comes to identifying ducks, males are generally retain their colorful breeding plumage during the months. Females, though less colorful for reproductive reasons, provide more of an challenge when it comes to identification. One helpful tip, is that males and female of the same species tend to group together.

Red-breasted Merganser Photo by Marie Reed

In the New Haven area, places like Lighthouse Point Park, East Shore Park, Long Wharf and Sandy Point( in West Haven) provide visitors and birders alike, great views of the harbor and various bird species ,including ducks. Be aware, while bird watching, you may observe duck hunters practice their sport. Duck hunting is allowed in our area and is regulated by State of Connecticut’s Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Some of common duck species one may encounter,while scoping the harbor, are: Red-breasted Mergansers, Common Goldeneye, Long-tailed Ducks, Buffleheads, Mallards, American Black Ducks, Gadwall, American Widgeon, Ruddy Duck , and rafts (large groups) of Lesser and Greater Scaup.

Lesser common species may include: Canvasbacks, Redhead, Pintail and 3 types of Scooters.

Geese species include :Canada, Snow and Brant . Presently there is a small flock of Snow Geese hanging around Lighthouse Pt. Park grassy areas. Spying them prompted me to write this article.

Mute Swam are also present through harbor area, esp. on the West Haven side of the Harbor.

Other Bird species that one may encounter floating on our waters are: Common and Red-throated Loons, Great and Double-crested Cormorants and Horned Grebes.

If this article has sparked your interest in Waterfowl observation, the New Haven Parks Dept., the New Haven Bird Club ,along with many other conservation organization offer weekly and monthly bird walks and outings. I encourage everyone, to take some time, get outside and beat the winter doldrums the natural way.

Written by Daniel Barvir - East Rock Park Ranger.

Ranger Program Schedules

Left to right: Harry Coyle, Martin Torresquintero, Joe Milone, Wray WIlliams, Dan Barvir

Trowbridge Environmental Center at East Rock Park
Staff: Dan Barvir & Wray Williams, Park Rangers

Registration for programs is requested by the Park Ranger Staff for planning purposes. Contact us at 946-6086 for directions, more information, and to register for these programs. All programs meet at the Trowbridge Environmental Center/Ranger Station and are free to New Haven residents except as noted. A donation of $2 per person is suggested for participants residing outside New Haven. The Trowbridge Environmental Center/Ranger Station is located on the corner of Cold Spring & Orange Streets, opposite Wilbur Cross High School.

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Barnard Nature Center at West River Memorial Park
Staff: Harry Coyle, Joe Milone, Park Rangers

Pre-registration for programs is requested by the Park Ranger Staff for planning purposes. Contact us at (203) 691-3539 directions, more information, and to register for these programs. The ranger program calendar is available on the web at: http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/parks/. All programs meet at the Barnard Nature Center are free to New Haven residents except as noted. A donation of $2 per person is suggested for participants residing outside New Haven. The Barnard Nature Center is located on the corner Route 34 and Ella T Grasso Boulevard. The park entrance is located on Route 34.

* Fee required, For information please contact: naturepalsFOEP@gmail.com.

Edgewood Park Farmers Market

The Edgewood Park Winter Market is back with a huge assortment of local eggs and dairy products, fresh meats and poultry, fresh greens and root veggies, award-winning breads and other baked goods, delicious prepared foods, maple syrup & honey, wool & yarn and MORE! Additional Edgewood Winter Market dates are: Sundays, 10:00am-1:00pm, February 3 & 17, March 3 & 17, and April 7 & 21.

Go to the CitySeed website for a full list of products and vendors. Edgewood Park at Whalley West Rock Avenues

Monthly Photo Gallery

CARE Family Ice Fishing Derby - Coventry Lake, Coventry, CT