Recreation Department

Are you passionate about the Farmington River?  Do you enjoy being outdoors and making a difference in the community?  Consider offering a few hours of your time to help a great cause.  What can you do?

There is a new team of 'Assistant Stewards' for the summer. They will help spread the word about proper etiquette on the river and provide a presence during the busier times. This could be a great learning experience for students majoring in environmental studies/conservation, or just someone who enjoys interacting with others. If interested in learning more please contact - Stephan Bastrzycki - River Steward. The River Steward Team partners with the Recreation Department and other local groups to put on joint events throughout the year. The Steward team is also a part of the Recreation Department's Summer Camp.

Periodically there are river cleanups held on specific stretches of the river. A few people volunteering a couple hours of their time can make a big difference. Check our calendar of events on the home page of the Farmington River Steward website-http://farmingtonriversteward.org/  when the next cleanup become scheduled.

If you do not want to actually commit to any hours, be our eyes on the river. The next time you are out on the Farmington and see something that needs reporting, let us know via email.

Maybe it is a downed tree creating a hazard in the water or an area of trash that needs to be cleaned up.

Volunteer Opportunities and Fun Community Events! 

Would you like to help as a volunteer for the Recreation Department? There are many opportunities available such as serving on the Recreation Commission which meet the third Monday of each month from September-June at Town Hall at 7 p.m. and program volunteers. Or do you want to help keep the Farmington River Beautiful and a Fun and Safe Place to Recreate? Consider giving some time as a volunteer assistant River Steward or a volunteer for the Recreation Department. There are many opportunities to become invloved. We have several fun joint events throughout the year and are always looking for new volunteers! For more Recreation program info  please email-Donna Bastrzycki-Recreation Director    barkhamstedrec@barkhamsted.us

Free Educational Apps, Games and Websites link- https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/free-educational-apps-games-and-websites

Help your family De-Stress with Fun Games and Apps -https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/help-your-family-de-stress-during-coronavirus-uncertainty

Ideas and Links for Movement/Games and Apps-  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/movement-apps-games-and-websites

Apps to help with behavioral health                https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/apps-to-help-with-mental-health

Tips from Autism Speaks-https://www.autismspeaks.org/science-news/what-should-autism-community-know-about-coronavirus-outbreak

 

Virtual Field trips- (Take a cool trip without leaving the house!)  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SvIdgTx9djKO6SjyvPDsoGlkgE3iExmi3qh2KRRku_w/mobilebasic

Boredom Busters-Some fun ideas for the family!   https://familyeguide.com/boredom-busters-110-fun-at-home-activities-for-families-kids-2/

Cool Craft ideas!   https://projectkid.com/best-quarantine-craft-ideas-for-kids/ 

Awesome Indoor Ideas including DYI Indoor Bowling!  https://www.hisawyer.com/blog/activities-to-do-at-home-as-a-family

 

Travel the globe without leaving the house-- check out Earth cam!  https://www.earthcam.com/

Explore Africa and cool animals with this live web cam- https://explore.org/livecams/african-wildlife/african-watering-hole-animal-camera

Check out the National Aquarium with its live broadcast!  https://www.aqua.org/Experience/live#btr

Watch adorable puppies on Explore.org live cam!    https://explore.org/livecams/currently-live/service-puppy-cam

 

 

How to calm the body- https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=AwrJ61wglIterMkApF1XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE0cTZhamZ0BGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQTA2MjJfMQRzZWMDcGl2cw--?p=best+exercise+videos+for+adults+and+children+with+disabilities+and+autism&fr2=piv-web&fr=uh_maglifestyle_web_gs#id=1&vid=7de8600943c928787291d4a2e1cf3e7b&action=view

 

 

 

 

Game for Autism & SPARK for Autism! continues its free tour across the state of Connecticut in appreciation of SPARK at Yale (https://SPARKforAutism.org/Yale). The event uses the Project CASY Mobile Inclusion Arcade and other cool games.  Please see Dr. Roger Jou's post from this link-https://www.facebook.com/165053420875425/posts/529316707782426/

I hope you find these resources helpful and will be putting up more resourceful links.

Donna Bastrzycki-Barkhamsted Recreation Director

Friends of American Legion and People's State Forest (FALPS)

Tee shirts are in. We have some of the original artwork shirts and a new style.  Hats are now in also!  They are avalable at the Riverton Store.  

Remember to regularly check our Facebook page. You do not have to be ‘on-Facebook’ to get onto the site. Simply type ‘Friends of American Legion and Peoples State Forests’ in the search box and it will bring up a link to our Facebook page. Events are FREE unless otherwise stated. Donations are always appreciated.

FALPS NEWS AND ACTIVITY UPDATE
NOVEMBER 2021
Many of the maple, birch, aspen, elm, and tulip leaves are on the ground. The rust color from the oaks and yellow of the beech are still out there and will continue to share their colors with us for a few weeks. Get out into the woods to wander and wonder. Check out what we have planned below.

HUNTING SEASON: The next two months will see increased hunting activities on the forests. Remember to wear orange, especially in November and December.
 
Remember: No matter what ails you, there is no better prescription or more effective therapy than a walk in the woods!
 
****FALPS has created an account with Amazon to allow us to receive .5% of purchases for people who select FALPS as their charity when purchasing through Amazon. This is great way for FALPS to get some income and it does not cost users anything. If you would like to participate (and of course we want you to) it is very easy. You have to log on to:  www.smile.amazon.com instead of the regular Amazon website. If you have already created an account in Amazon, your information will still be there. After you get into Smile Amazon, you have to select FALPS as your non-profit of choice. I doubt it will appear in the drop-down menu so you have to type in the name of the non-profit. Type in:  Friends of American Legion and Peoples State Forests. Then shop. There is no additional cost to you.*****

FALPS Events:

Sunday, November 14th, 2 p.m., Matthies Grove Pavilion, Peoples State Forest, East River Road, Barkhamsted. Bird expert extraordinaire Fran Zygmont will join FALPS for a talk on bird migration, winter birding, and opportunities for you to participate. If you can brave the cold, winter birding is very rewarding and birds are often easier to spot, whether on waterways or in trees. Be a citizen scientist and contribute to the Christmas Bird Counts. Fran will tell you how to join in on these important data gathering events.

Saturday, November 20th, 1:30 p.m., Matthies Grove Pavilion, Peoples State Forest, East River Road, Barkhamsted. Looking for something to buy the outdoor person in your life for your holidays? Want to go winter camping or get ready for spring outings? Come listen to FALPS’ friend Mat Jobin, of Reach Your Summit, as he gives lots of suggestions for holiday gifts for folks in your life. Or, just come and listen for stuff you need!

Hot Chocolate will be available at both events and the fireplace will be lit.  Bring a chair and enjoy!

Work Update:

We have cleared downed trees from the Robert Ross and Charles Pack Trails.  Work is ongoing at the pollinator garden. We are continuing to plan for an enriched pollinator meadow at the north end of Matthies Grove and we have started work on the much-anticipated Agnes Bowen re-route through 800 feet of a red maple swamp. We are also planning other work parties this fall to cut invasive plants and will continue to work on the re-route section of the Agnes Bowen Trail. If you would enjoy getting out and doing trail work or other types of outdoor projects, please let us know by emailing us at ctfalps@gmail.com. We always need help and have many more work projects in the pipeline!
   
We have brand-new long-sleeved tee shirts, hats, and tee shirts available at the Riverton Store (we will be getting more sizes in soon). Stop in for a sandwich, hot chili/soup, or ice cream and treat yourself to a new hat or tee!
 
I hope to see you in the woods!
 
Ralph Scarpino
FALPS President