City Parks & Rec December News updates

    Image/Derryfieldgolf.com

    A FOND FAREWELL TO MIKE RYAN

    Derry Country Club Golf Professional, Mike Ryan was a fixture at the Derryfield Country Club.  He led the tremendous development of the golf course over 20 years in his calm gentle way, and persevered through his illness in the same manner.  His presence is missed immensely and we dedicate this issue of the newsletter to Michael F. Ryan. Godspeed Mike, until we meet again for another round.


    WINDY DAYS IN NOVEMBER

    The strong winds of November 14 wreaked havoc at the Derryfield Country Club Maintenance Building.  The corner of the building was destroyed, but quick work by the crew at the shop, the Facilities Division, and Eversource made it possible for  business to carry on as usual in a very short amount of time.  We feel very lucky all of the staff and vehicles were out of the area when the large pine tree fell.


    WALK FOR YOUR HEALTH

    Our end of the year luncheon was held recently,  cocluding the fall 2018 session.  It was a great success!  We want to thank AARP for tabling three of the walks again.  Our collaboration has proved to be a success by attracting more walkers and keeping everyone hydrated.  We would also like to congratulate Jeannine Rousseau for walking 83 miles, the most of all participants this session.  We are already looking       forward the Spring ’19 session!


    BASKETBALL AT BEECH STREET SCHOOL

    Saturday Basketball at Beech Street School starts Dec. 1.  This is a non-competitive drop-in program; there are no teams or standings.  We run pickup games and other basketball shooting games.  You will be able to sign up at Beech Street School on the first Saturday you attend.  Program hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are broken down into different age blocks as follows:
    7-8 years old   9 – 10:30 a.m.
    9-10 years old  10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
    11-12 years old 1 – 2:30 p.m.
    13-17  years old  2:30  – 4 p.m.

    For more info email ebukowski@manchesternh.gov


    BECOMING POPULAR, ONE ROUND AT A TIME!

    Based on rounds logged at UDisc, the #1 app for disc golfers, a recent blog names the most popular disc golf course in each state across the country.  In NH, our own Hollows North Disc Golf Course is rated number one in popularity in New Hampshire, and stacks up well coming in 5th among the most popular  courses nationwide.


    MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE

    The New England Warriors Sled Hockey team are starting their second season of their partnership with us and with the Manchester VA Medical Center.  All of us couldn’t be more excited with how this is growing and benefitting veterans in the area.  A veteran who has Parkinson’s Disease tried sled hockey recently and     didn’t want to get off of the ice!   He has the freedom to glide across the ice without being held back by this disease.  One other elderly veteran had never been on ice skates     before and wanted to try skating.  Thanks to Lynda Johnson who  supplied the skates, we were able to make his first time on ice a     reality this past month!  It’s the little things that make a big  difference in a person’s life.

    Ian Ramsdell, left, and Jason Kopera, ready for some sled ice hockey! Photo/Janet Horvath

    PUBLIC – PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

    We are actively seeking collaborations with businesses and organizations that can positively impact the city, like in the story above. Our goal is to connect people and visions for a stronger Manchester that will last long into the future.


    CEMETERY UPDATES

    The crew at the Pine Grove Cemetery has been laying out a new section recently, painstakingly putting in new boundary markers.  On another note, the arrival of snow does not change much of the routine at the Pine Grove cemetery.  While other cemeteries in the Northeast suspend burials in the winter, Pine Grove continues to perform burials despite the very cold temperatures and frozen ground.


    A September ribbon-cutting, one of Mayor Craig’s favorite things to do – welcoming new businesses to the city. From left, Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, Becky Tetrault, Laura Nesmith, Marilyn Charbonneau, Michelle Chretien and Mayor Joyce Craig cut the ceremonial ribbon on the new basketball court at Sweeney Park on the city’s West Side, while Parks & Rec director Don Pinard stands by with his grandson, Connell Caswell. Photo/Carol Robidoux

    SWEENEY PARK PLAYGROUND UPDATE

    All of the equipment for the new Sweeney Park playground has arrived but the snow has put installation in question for 2018.  We are still hopeful to open up the boxes and move forward with the project but we are at Mother Nature’s mercy again.


    GUESS WHO….

    …plows the city school parking lots, plows Gill Stadium for the Turkey Bowl and plows the sidewalks in the parks?  Guess who helps    decorate downtown for the holidays,  maintains the ice arenas, grooms the cross country trail at the Derryfield CC, and still makes every attempt to prepare Dorrs Pond for outdoor ice skating? Look for us to be there wherever you are recreating in Manchester, even in the winter!