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Potsdam beaches open, full summer rec program underway this month

Posted 6/15/11

POTSDAM – The Potsdam Joint Recreation Committee has announced its 2011 summer programs, including free swimming and swimming instruction, pre-school and youth programs with bus service, lifeguard …

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Potsdam beaches open, full summer rec program underway this month

Posted

POTSDAM – The Potsdam Joint Recreation Committee has announced its 2011 summer programs, including free swimming and swimming instruction, pre-school and youth programs with bus service, lifeguard training, a field trip to Water Safari and a youth triathlon.

Also this year, the St. Lawrence County Arts Council will offer classes through the recreation department.

The beaches at Sandstoner Park on Pine Street and Postwood Park in Hannawa Falls are open daily for public swimming from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day through Aug. 26.

Here is a rundown of this summer’s activities:

• Swimming lessons for several levels of ability will be offered at Postwood Park Monday through Friday from June 27 to Aug. 5, except July 4, in either a 10 or 10:30 a.m. group, depending on the child’s ability and class size. Buses will pick up children taking lessons in the morning at designated pre-school points; those taking the bus to Postwood for lessons must return on the 11 a.m. bus. This year they are asking for a $25 donation ($40 per family) for swim lessons. There will be “pre-swim” tests and swimming lessons sign-ups Sunday, June 26 between 2 and 5 p.m. If you are unable to attend, you can sign up your children at Postwood on June 27 at 10 a.m. Two additional one-week sessions of swimming lessons will be held, Aug. 8-12 and Aug. 15-19. They will cost $25 per week per child, $40 for two children, and $50 for three or more children. For more information on swimming lessons, call the recreation office at 265-4030.

• The Learn to Swim program teaches young children swimming basics. A newly enhanced pre-school aquatics program for ages three to five will also be offered along with levels one to six at 10 or 10:30 a.m. daily at Postwood. The parent-tot aquatics program, for children 12 months to three years, will meet at Pine Street beach from 3:45 to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• The Potsdam Summer Recreation Program, under the direction of Tim Carey, offers a free summer pre-school and youth program at Pine Street Arena, Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 11 a.m., rain or shine, from June 27 through Aug. 5. The program provides games, crafts, and contests in a supervised environment for children. Town of Potsdam residents are eligible to participate -- ages 3 to 6 in the pre-school program and ages 7 to 13 in the youth group. The recreation program aims to provide a casual environment in which the children may choose to participate in activities that interest them the most. Frequency of participation in the program is determined by the convenience of each child's family. Signed parental waivers are required. A $15 donation per child or $30 per family is requested to help cover the expenses of materials and supplies. A free bus service picks up and drops off children daily. A counselor from the recreation program accompanies the children on the bus. The bus run schedule appears below. For more information contact Recreation Director Tim Carey at 265-4030.

• Bus service is offered for swimming and playground programs. Bus riders must be at least 6 years old, and must be escorted by a parent or other adult on the first day. Those wishing to take swimming lessons at Postwood Park ride in on the morning bus to Pine Street Arena, then leave there at 9:30 a.m. for Postwood.

• The bus schedule: Morning runs, Bus 1, leaves garage at 8:15 a.m., turns around at Debra Drive, down Lawrence Avenue to Missouri Avenue, Grant Street and Main Street, Outer Main Street to downtown, up Market Street to Evergreen Park, returns to Pine Street arena. Bus 1 will depart for drop-off for the morning program at 10:45 a.m. Bus 2 departs Pine Street Arena at 8:30 a.m., to U. S. Hwy. 11, to Morley Road, to Slab City to West Potsdam to the Madrid Road with pickup at the end of Barker Road, then returns to Pine Street Arena. Afternoon runs: at 11:45 a.m., Bus 1 leaves Pine Street Arena, to pick up at the high school, then out May Road to the Baptist Church, then along the Reagan Road, and Debra Drive. It leaves Postwood Park at 2:30. Bus 1 second run leaves Main Street near Snell Hall at 12:30 p.m., to pick up at Evergreen Park, out Rt. 56 to Postwood. Leaves Postwood at 3:15 p.m. Bus 2, first run, leaves Pine Street Arena at 11:45, to the corner of Barker Road on the Madrid Road, then to West Potsdam, Slab City, Eben Corners, to Postwood; leaves Postwood at 2:30 p.m.; second run, leaves Main Street at Snell Hall at 12:30 p.m, to Kinney’s Market Street plaza, then north to Hewittville, then lower Pine Street, then out the Back Hannawa Road to Postwood. Leaves Postwood at 3:15 p.m. A bus will depart Pine Street Arena at 10:30 a.m. for West Potsdam for children not attending swimming lessons or the afternoon recreation swim. For more information about bus runs, call Recreation Director Tim Carey at 265-4030.

• Lifeguard training will be offered at Postwood Park Monday through Friday from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. for six weeks beginning June 27. The program is open to anyone age 15 by Aug. 1, 2011 who can swim 550 meters continuously. Cost is $225.

For the second year, the program will hold a Potsdam Sandstonerman Youth Triathlon for ages 5 to high school seniors Aug. 13, at Postwood Park. Recreation Director Tim Carey said the triathlon went well enough last year to merit a repeat. The event will benefit the Potsdam Central School Sports Booster Club and the Potsdam Recreation Department. Ages 5 to 8 compete at 9 a.m., ages 9 to 12 at 9:30, and 13 and up at 10 a.m., on swim/bike/run courses yet to be announced. The 13-and-up group can compete as individuals or as teams. The cost for individuals is $15 by Aug. 1, and $20 late entry. Teams can register for $20 by Aug. 1, and $40 late entry. Registration can be done by mail or on the day of the competition from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. for ages 5 to 12 and 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. for 13 and up. For more information, contact Carey at 265-4030 or tcarey@vi.potsdam.k12.ny.us, or Jani Hobbs at Kingston Middle School, 265-2000, ext. 513, jhobbs@potsdam.k12.ny.us. Registration is limited to 150 participants.

• The recreation program will offer a field trip to Water Safari at Enchanted Forest Aug. 9 for $40 per person. The bus will leave at 7:30 a.m. and return at about 8:30 p.m. To register, call 265-4030.

More information on these programs and required waivers and other forms can be acquired by calling 265-4030 or visiting www.vi.potsdam.ny.us/Arenaweb/index.html on the web.