MESSAGE FROM P&R DIRECTOR

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and the greater Southbury Community for your continued support of, and your participation in, Southbury Parks and Recreation programs. 

Our motto is GROWING TOGETHER. We are thrilled to offer a vast variety of programs that enhance the quality of life for all of us. We are fortunate to have a great Community Garden where residents work their plots to supplement their summer meals with fresh produce. We also have volunteers and volunteer organizations that harvest fruits and vegetables from their plots to be donated to The Southbury Food Bank. To learn more about acquiring a garden plot for your household click here.

Thank you for supporting our goals as we continue the process of replacing the Southbury Town Pool at Ballantine Park. To become a member and view the 2023 pool schedule click here. While at Ballantine Park, you will likely see that 4 new pickleball courts are under construction. For additional information about tennis or pickleball memberships and reservations click here and visit our home page for construction announcements. The dock at the Town Boat Launch will be upgraded and replaced this year; thank you for your patience as this transformation occurs. 

Please continue to enjoy the many parks, trails, and open spaces available to you in Southbury. Like me, each time that you embark, you’re likely to make new discoveries and be introduced to new friends.

Happy Spring!

Michael Ganem, Director
Southbury Parks and Recreation
[email protected]

Events - Thank You for Participating!

SPRING EGG HUNT

A lot of families came to our Spring Egg Hunt - the cold and occasional rain did not stop kids from hunting for eggs and filling their baskets! More photos on Facebook.

CANDY COUNTING CONTEST

Congratulations to Joan Weldon for winning the 2023 Candy Counting contest! She guessed that there were 1,834 candies in the jar, which is very close to the actual 1,728 count. Next closest was 300 off. Thank you to all who participated! 

Upcoming Events

ART IN THE PARK - MAY 6, 2023, 10:00am-2:00pm

Sponsored by Southbury Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Arts and Culture Subcommittee of the Southbury Economic Development Commission (ACSSEDC): Art in the Park is a day of free arts & crafts projects and recreational activities. Learn a new technique while you create your own art or try your hand at a free craft project. Middlebury and Southbury Equity and Inclusion Council will be joining us with an informational table about resources in town. They will also have a local artist who will be doing face paint for attendees.

There will be free raffle drawings for prizes and free participation in crafts and activities. Food trucks will be on-site for you to purchase a quick lunch, including: Lucky’s World Famous Hot Dogs, Szabo's Seafood, and an Italian Ice cart!

Location: Ballantine Park, 611 Old Field Road.

Click here for more details. In the event of rain or bad weather, this event will be held indoors at the Southbury Parks and Recreation Building on 561 Main Street South. (To check the status of the rain location, visit the MyRec website and look for the red “ALERT” banner at the top of the page).

Summer Aquatics

The warm weather months are on their way and we are preparing for another great season at the pool! The Town Pool at Ballantine Park is scheduled to open on Saturday June 17th. Swim Team, lessons, and special events will all take place at the pool this summer. Sign up now: classes are filling up fast!

TOWN POOL

The Southbury Town Pool at Ballantine Park will open mid-June as your favorite destination to cool off this summer. The facility is the perfect spot for warm weather relaxation and enjoyment. In addition to our main pool, the Ballantine kiddie pool will be open for our youngest swimmers.  

• Buy your season pool pass now

SWIM LESSONS

Swim lessons at the Southbury Town Pool are very popular and are offered on a first come first served basis. We have many lessons to choose from for all ability levels; from the tiniest water babies to young swimmers ready to develop all strokes. This year we will offer an assortment of lessons during the day, early evenings, and Saturdays. Class size is limited so register early.

• Register for swim lessons

SHARKS SWIM TEAM

Be part of one of State Line Swim League’s most successful teams! The Summer Sharks emphasize participation, teamwork, and fun while teaching swim skills and technique in a relaxed atmosphere. Members have the chance to be on a team, compete for their best times in dual meets, and take part in a fun End of Season Invitational. Swimmers between the ages of 6 and 16 are eligible to sign up. Participants should be able to swim one lap of freestyle and one lap of backstroke. Season runs Monday through Friday from June 19th to July 28th at the Town Pool at Ballantine Park.

• Register for swim team

Program Highlights

HORSE RIDING CAMP BY BRUSHY HILL FARM

Join us at Brushy Hill Farm for an exciting summer of Horse Camp!

Our Summer Horse Camp has been in operation for over 35 years. Nominated for favorite summer horse camp in years past, parents and campers continue to enjoy the safe, fun, and nurturing environment we provide.

Whether your child has never experienced the world of horses, is "Horse Crazy" or is currently taking riding lessons, our camp offers something for all ages and ability levels. Beginner campers will learn the basics while more advanced riders will be challenged to discover something new. We want your child to have a memorable camp experience full of horses, riding, and hands on learning.

• Summer Horse Camp | Ages 3 & up | Mondays-Fridays, 9:00am-12:00pm | Weekly starting 6/19 - Register by 6/12 for week 1

BUMP! SET! SPIKE! VOLLEYBALL LESSONS

Join long-time coach Daniela Walsh and learn to Bump! Set! Spike! Back by popular demand, we have two upcoming volleyball sessions. This co-ed program is targeted for the Beginner to Intermediate player to learn the fundamentals of passing, setting, hitting, and serving through game-based drills and daily scrimmages. Each athlete will be given feedback individually from instructors who have competed in High School and Division I College level.

• Bump! Set! Spike! Volleyball Lessons | Ages 11-14 | Mondays-Thursdays | 6:00pm-7:30pm - Register by 6/19 for June Session
• Volleyball Clinic | 6/26-6/29
• Volleyball Tournament Camp | 7/17-7/20

PANTHER BASEBALL CAMP

Panther Baseball School will be holding its 25th annual baseball camp this summer for any boy or girl (ages 6-12). This will be a fun learning environment for anyone wanting to learn how to play the game of baseball the way the professionals do.

Coaches Mike Eisenbach and Andy Cloutier will be running the camp. Additional staff will be current/past players from Pomperaug High School. We will teach the proper mechanics and techniques: Hitting, Pitching, Fielding, Base Running, and Catching. Each day there will be time set aside (weather permitting) to play this great game called "BASEBALL". Each registered camper will receive a T-shirt. All ability levels are welcome! Space is limited so sign up now! "PLAY BALL”

• Panther Baseball Camp | Ages 6-12 | Monday-Thursday, 6/26-6/29 - Register by 6/19
• Half Day | 9:00am-12:00pm
• Full Day | 9:00am-2:00pm

This program is run by the Pomperaug Baseball Community in partnership with Southbury Parks and Recreation.

Other Activities

Youth Programs

• Adventure Day Camp | Grades K-6 | Monday-Friday, Starting 6/26 | 8:00am-4:00pm - Register by 6/12 for Week 1 and all summer package. (Only 2 spots left for the all summer package! Week 3 is full- please join our waitlist!)
• Chess: Checkmate! | Ages 6-14 | 5:00pm-6:00pm - Register by 6/15
• Thursdays, 6/22-8/10
• Fridays, 6/23-8/11
• C.I.T. Program | Select Applicants Only | Weeks 1 and 2 are currently full, week 3-6 are available | Grades 9-12 (Fall 2023 Enrollment) | Trainings start in May and hours vary. C.I.T. dates and times will reflect Adventure Day Camp’s schedule - LAST CHANCE to apply: Due May 3
• FUNdamentals of Field Hockey | Grades 1-9 (fall 2023 enrollment) | Monday-Thursday, 6/26-6/29 | 9:00am-12:00pm - Register by 6/19
• Painting Classes | Ages 6 & up | Saturday, 5/13 - Register by 5/9 – Perfect activity for Mother’s day!
• Dandelions | 12:30pm-2:30pm
• Bunny in Flowers | 3:00pm-5:00pm
• Renew Kid’s Yoga | Ages 5-11 | Sundays, 5/14-7/2 | 3:00pm-4:00pm - Register by 5/8
• Summer Swishers Youth Basketball League | Grades 3-9 (fall 2023 enrollment) | Games Saturdays, 6/19-7/29 (Practice days and times vary) | Game Times vary between 8:00am-1:00pm - Register by 6/12
• Teenscape | Grades 6-8 | Monday-Thursday, Starting 6/26 | 8:00am-4:30pm - Register by 6/12 for Week 1 and all summer package
• Tennis Lessons | Tuesdays, 6/6-7/11 - Register by 5/30
• Junior Beginner/Advanced Beginner | Ages 5-8 | 4:00pm-5:00pm
• Junior Beginner/Advanced Beginner | Ages 8-11 | 5:00pm-6:00pm
• Junior Beginner/Advanced Beginner | Ages 12-15 | 5:00pm-6:00pm
• Junior Low Intermediate/Intermediate | Ages 12-15 | 6:00pm-7:00pm

All Ages

• Community Garden | Ages 18+ to reserve a plot, all may attend the garden! - FEW PLOTS REMAIN: Register by 5/15
• Horseback Riding: Private Lessons | Ages 3 & up | Times Determined with Instructors - Rolling Registration

Adult Programs

• Chess: Game of Kings | Ages 15+ | 6:15pm-7:15pm - Register by 6/15
• Thursdays, 6/22-8/10
• Fridays, 6/23-8/11
• Flow to Fit Yoga | Ages 18+ - Register by 5/29. NO CLASS 4th of July Week
• Level 1 Core | Tuesdays, 6/6-8/1 | 5:30pm-6:30pm
• Level 2 Core | Mondays, 6/5-7/31 | 9:30am-10:45am
• Level 2 Core | Wednesdays, 6/7-8/2 | 9:30am-10:45am
• Pilates Fusion | Mondays, 6/5-7/31 | 6:00pm-7:15pm
• Pilates Fusion | Wednesdays, 6/7-8/2 | 6:00pm-7:15pm
• Pilates Fusion | Saturdays, 6/10-8/5 | 8:30am-10:00am
• Yoga for All | Sundays, 6/4-7/30 | 9:00am-10:00am
• Yoga for All | Thursdays, 6/8-8/3 | 5:30pm-6:30pm
• Softball, Co-Ed | Ages 21+ | Wednesdays & Thursdays, 6/14-9/14 | Times will vary - Register your team or as an individual before 5/22 to take advantage of the Early Bird Discount!
• Tennis Lessons Adult Beginner/Advanced Beginner | Ages 15+ | Tuesdays, 6/6-7/11 | 6:00pm-7:00pm - Register by 5/30

REGISTER NOW FOR PROGRAMS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!

To serve you better, all schedules of SP&R are subject to change.

Coming Soon!

Upcoming Camps and Events

Panther Basketball Camp, Pomperaug Basketball Community’s Little Swishers, Backyard Sports Camp, Dance Camp, Cooking Camp, Horse Riding Camp, Taekwon-Do, Summer Concerts, Family Movie Night, and more! Check our Programs Page Regularly for more information.

Pavilion rental applications for Southbury residents and all non-residents are now being taken! The 2023 application is posted here.

WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Southbury Parks and Recreation is currently seeking pickleball instructor. Or do you have a talent that you would like to share? The Southbury Parks and Recreation Department is always looking for new instructors for our classes. like a pickleball instructor. To submit a class for consideration, download the form and return to our office.

Is there a class or event you would like us to offer? Please email us at [email protected] and let us know.

If you have any other comments or suggestions, please email us at [email protected].

YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUES

For information regarding youth sports organizations in town, please click here.