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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Dear Friends of the Charlestown Parks and Recreation Department: The fall season in Charlestown often brings some of the best weather of the year. After an actionParks and Recreation Director Vicky Hilton [email protected]

packed summer with camp, busy beaches, special events, fitness programs we look forward to the fall.

Assistant Director David Shoemaker [email protected]

Sr Community Center Director Michelle Vekakis [email protected]

Although it’s also a busy time for families as children adjust to school routines, it’s important for everyone’s physical and mental health to take time to enjoy the outdoors whenever possible. The

Sr Community Center Admin & Program Assistant Kate McCormack [email protected]

Parks Maintenance Carl Ferhman

Charlestown Parks and Recreation Department along with the Town of Charlestown provide a wealth of outdoor places, events, and programs this fall for you to discover and enjoy. Our Senior Community Center also offers many programs, fitness classes, a lunch program, and fun special events. Their facility is in the back of Ninigret Park, be sure to stop by see what exciting opportunities lie ahead for the 55+ population for this upcoming year.

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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR CONTINUED In addition to providing a variety of trails, Charlestown is home to Ninigret Park where you can bring your family to picnic, take a walk, enjoy our outdoor fitness programs, play at the playground, swim in little Nini Pond, take a ride on the bike path or stop by the Dog park. Just down the road is the US Fish and Wildlife in Ninigret Park, a great place for a hike but remember that dogs, and running are prohibited there. In the fall is a perfect time to walk our beaches, whether it be the Sam Ferretti Blue Shutters Beach or Charlestown Town Beach, they are beautiful and less crowded than the hotter summer months. Wicklund Field, located next to the Charlestown Elementary School offers a girls’ softball field and tennis courts along with pickleball play. Clark Field in Columbia Heights offers a playground and field for soccer, or lacrosse or just to have fun in. Outdoor, individual sports like tennis, pickleball and our free outdoor fitness area offer diverse fun spaces for all. Be sure to visit the community’s businesses and organizations. We look forward to our upcoming fall events and holiday events and new programs. Be sure to check the 2022 Fall/Winter Program Guide for details about these and other fall events at charlestownri.gov or follow us on Facebook. Wishing you a happy and healthy fall! Be well,

Vicky Hilton Director Charlestown Parks and Recreation Department

Hiking Trails Need an incentive to go outside and get moving? Here are the town owned open space preserves: Maps are found at https://charlestownri.gov/?SEC=F751C6C4-A9AD-49EA-BBD649BBBFAD7830 Open dawn to dusk. Hunting is not allowed on any town owned land, but it is permitted nearby. Please wear blaze orange during hunting season. Dogs: Must be leashed or under voice command. Horses: On South Farm field path only. Prohibited on all Preserves: bike riding, motorcycles, vehicles, ATVs, fires, camping, or swimming Charlestown Moraine Preserve- Kings Factory Road -The Preserve’s 1.9-mile moderate trail system winds over small but steep ridges, many going through thick groves of Mountain Laurel; glorious in spring when they are in bloom. The footing in some areas can be a bit rough so walkers should be cautious. From some of the high points there are seasonal ocean views of Block Island and Ninigret Salt Pond. Patricia Sprague Forest Preserve- Railroad Avenue- This moderately rated 1.3 miles of trails Preserve contains a floodplain forest, vernal pools, and a hummocky glaciated landscape of high relief and approximately 1600 feet of frontage on the Pawcatuck River. There are also forested uplands, open fields, and a variety of wetlands. A trail connects with an existing dirt farm road that runs through the property and connects other trails, including one that overlooks the river. There is an abundant variety of plants and wildlife. A few old apple trees border a 3-acre meadow and a 1-acre hay field. The property was managed organically for over 80 years. In the 1930s, this was a center for research and study on the biodynamic method of agricultural production in the United States. Richard Trails Preserve South County Trail (Rte. 2) The Richard Trails Preserve contains a network of trails. Some cover relatively flat ground, while others lead up quite steep hills. The trails run through a scrub oak and pitch pine forest. There are two trails (one with a loop extension). One trail is rated Easy, one is rated Moderately Difficult, as is the loop extension. The preserve encompasses 95 acres but much of the surrounding landscape is also forested. The preserve is adjacent to Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge land and Narragansett Indian tribal Lands.



Schoolhouse Pond Preserve -Kings Factory Road -You can park in the parking area, with Kiosk and maps, near Kings Factory Road and hike in approximately .5 miles to the pond or drive to a small parking area at the boulders and hike a shorter distance to the Pond. Note that land around the access road and preserve is all private property and Narragansett Native Tribal Land. Please respect their privacy. The 4.2 miles of trails are flat and rated very easy. The blue blazed trail initially provides you with pond views. As the trail heads west, it turns into a network of trails and paths that runs through different forest types. The Schoolhouse Pond ecosystem is a rare community type (Coastal Plain Pond). Nesting boxes for wood ducks and small owls are placed throughout the property. How many can you find? South Farm Preserve -Old Coach Road - South Farm Preserve is made up of two fields (14 acres total) each with a trail around the perimeter and woodland trails at the southern end of the south trail. The preserve was originally a working farm and there is a restored sheep barn and the firebox of a sauna. On the far-right side of the north field, just off Old Coach Road, are the remains of the house, garden, and some old fruit trees. There is also a historic cemetery where many members of the Card family are buried. Most graves date back to the 1800s. These very easy trails are home to birds and butterflies. Tucker Woods Preserve -Route 91 -This family friendly 66.5-acre preserve contains oak and pitch pine forests, vernal pools, intermittent and permanent streams, bedrock hills and areas of exposed ledge with boulder fields. There is a 4.5-acre old farm field along Route 91. The other 62 acres are mostly forested, with about 10 acres of wetlands. The property contains oak and pitch pine forests, vernal pools, intermittent and permanent streams, bedrock hills and areas of exposed ledge with boulder fields. There are currently two blazed trails with plans for a trail in the north to the highest point with majestic views. Both the Blue trail (old cart path) and yellow trail are rated easy. Current distance of the two trails is 1.3 miles.

Other trails can be located on our Charlestown Parks and Recreation page on our town website, such as the: Be-Fit Trail System, Ellison Brown Trail and Goulding Trail located in Ninigret Park.

Walking in nature has surprising health benefits including boosting your immune system, reducing anxiety, lifting your mood, and increasing creative thinking.

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Flag Football Painting Class

Tucker Woods Hike Coat Drive

Halloween Dance

Town Hall Trick or Treat Trunk or Treat

Tennis Lessons

Pickleball Lessons Frosty Drew

Basketball

Letters to Santa Elf on the Shelf

Christmas Spectacular

New Years Eve Bonfire

Snow White & Friends Dance

Sr. & Community Center

Adult Flag Football Whether you are looking to relive your glory days or just get a good workout in before the NFL games on Sunday’s we’ve got your covered. Our non-contact 6 vs 6 flag football league starts Sunday September 11th. The Charlestown Adult Flag Football League is for team registrations only. Any interested teams must apply to enter the league due to the limit of 10 teams per season.

Location: Ninigret Park

Date: League starts Sunday September 11. Team meeting is on Sunday August 28, at the New Pavilion in Ninigret Park. If you have any questions regarding the league follow our Charlestown Flag Football Facebook Page and send us a message.

Game Times: Game times are TBA but will all take place on Sunday mornings.

If you are a single player looking for a team contact our Facebook page about our free agent page.



Acrylic Painting Class Join this relaxed painting class where you find the power of your inner artist and walk away with you own work of art. Your creativity will blossom as you receive artistic guidance from Helen Roy, a local artist. Learn a variety of artistic concepts and techniques while creating a soothing colorful seascape using acrylic paint.

Your first class will begin with a painting on canvas and future classes you will have the choice of painting on canvas, a canvas bag, or a wooden sign.

Location: Blue Shutters Beach Pavilion

Dates: Wednesday September 14, 21, 28

Time: 5:30-7:30

Fee: $35 per class with materials included

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HARVEST MOON HIKE Brings us the harvest moon as the

last of summer’s bounty is collected from the fields

Join us for a stroll under the

Full moon as we take in the beauty of nature at sunset.

Date: Saturday September 10th

Location: Tucker Woods Preserve Time:TBd

Coat Drive We will be collecting new, or good as new coats to donate to RICAN. The donation bin will be located at the entrance of Town Hall starting on 2 October 3rd.



HALLOWEEN DANCE Join us for our Halloween Dance on Oct 21st!



Open to CHARIHO 5th Graders Enjoy Music, Dancing, Snacks, and Games provided by Carnival Party

Location: Charlestown Elementary School Time: 6:00-8:00pm $10 Per Student Online Pre Registration Only Limited Space Available

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Town hall

Town Hall Trick or Treat Come down to the Charlestown Town Hall with your little witches and ghosts and go trick or treating through all of our departments. Enjoy our spooky decorations and pick up some extra candy.

Location: Charlestown Town Hall 4540 South County Trail

Date: Friday, October 28th

TIme: 8:30 a.m.- 4:30p.m.

Free to all!

Trunk Or Treat Come on down to Ninigret Park for this spooktacular event where volunteers, with their decorated trunks will hand out candy to the children of Charlestown. If you wish to volunteer we ask that you pre register by October 28th. For more information visit our website www.charlestownri.gov or stop by our office at Charlestown Town Hall.

Location: Ninigret Park Date: Saturday, October 29th Time: 6:00-8:00 pm Free to all!

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TENNIS LESSONS Fall Tennis

Indoor Tennis

What a better time to learn new skills or master old ones. Come enjoy the fresh fall air during our outdoor fall tennis lessons, taught by instructor Don Fair.

If the winter weather has got you stuck in doors, we have you covered. Come join instructor Don Fair indoors to continue building skills and abilities.

Dates: Saturdays September 3rd - October 29th

Dates: Fridays Session 1: Nov. 4th&18th, Dec. 2nd-23rd Session 2: Jan. 6th-Feb. 10th Session 3: Feb. 17th, March 3rd-31st

Location: Ninigret Park Tennis Courts

Location: Richmond Elementary Gymnasium

Times 6-8 yrs. old: 8:00-9:00a.m. 9-11 yrs. old: 9:00-10:00a.m. 12-17 yrs. old: 10:00-11:00a.m. Adult: 11:00-12:00p.m.

Times 6-8 yrs. old: 5:00-6:00 p.m. 9-11 yrs. old: 6:00-7:00 p.m. 12-17 yrs. old: 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Child's Fee: $95 per registration Adult Fee: $150 per registration

Fee: $95 per registration Please note that there will be no Indoor Tennis on Fridays when there is no school.



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PICKLEBALL LESSONS

Pickleball is the FASTEST GROWING SPORT in the world, join us at Ninigret Park this fall to discover why it’s so popular among all age groups and athletic abilities. More Joy Pickleball’s “Learn to Play” course will teach players of any age and mobility the basic Pickleball fundamentals. Players will learn how to warm-up and some safety precautions, the basic rules, how to score, and all of the shots: Dinking and Volleying, (forehand and backhand), Serving and Returning, and lobbing. Each lesson will incorporate some game play and basic strategies.

Dates: Tuesdays Sept 13th-Oct 25th Time: Beginners 10:00-11:00 Advanced: 11:00-12:00 Location: Ninigret Park Pickleball Courts Cost: $150/Registration

Frosty Drew Observatory Stargazing Nights

Under the Crimson Moon - A Total Lunar

Every Friday night starting

Eclipse

around 7:30 pm.

Tuesday, November 8, 2022 2:30 am - 6:00 am

International Observe the Moon Night

The Geminid Meteor Shower Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Saturday, October 1, 2022

6:30 pm

6:30 pm - 10:30 pm





Holiday Stargazing Spectacular

Spooky Views - A Halloween

Friday, December 23, 2022

Stargazing Experience

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Friday, October 28, 2022 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm



New Year's Eve Stargazing Saturday, December 31, 2022 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm





R e g i s t r a t i o n a n d T i c k e t s n e e d e d f o r s o m e e v e n t s . V i s i t f r o s t y d r e w . o r g for more information



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Park and Rec Basketball 5–8-Year-Old Basketball We offer two instructional programs for ages 5-8 years old. The 5–8-year old’s program is an hour of instruction from Parks and Recreation Staff and volunteer parents.

5&6 Year Old – The first half of the program the players will do drills and skills games. Starting in mid-January they will end the hour with instructional basketball games.

7&8 Year Old – This program will start with 30 minutes of drills followed by 30 minutes of games (4 vs 4 or 5 vs 5). This is a great program for beginners and players who want to get up to speed before the full court league starts in the 9-11s.

Location: Charlestown Elementary School Gym Times: Saturday’s starting January 7th

5&6: 9:00 am – 10:00 am 7&8: 10:00 am – 11:00 am

9–11-Year-Old Youth Basketball

Charlestown Youth Basketball is a winter staple for youth 9-11 years old. Our dedicated staff and volunteer coaches do a great job at providing a relaxed but competitive league with 1-hour practices and one game per week. With the addition of music and half-time activities our Youth Basketball league is fun for the whole family.

Location: Charlestown Elementary School Placement Day: Saturday, November 5th 12:00pm-1:30pm Games: Start Saturday, January 7th and run every Saturday until March 11th. Schedule for games TBD Practices: Once a week starting November 14th, there will be break during the holidays. Fee: Registrations per team is $65 per player which includes a reversible jersey. Family pricing is $5 discount per additional sibling registered.

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12-14-Year-Old Youth Basketball Looking for a basketball league for your 12–14 year-old? We have got you covered. If we get at least 30 players registered, we will run an in-house league. If less, we will run a clinic style program with pickup games mixed in.

Location: Charlestown Elementary School Placement Day: Saturday, November 5th 2:00pm-3:30pm Games: Start Saturday, January 7th and run every Saturday until March 11th Schedule for games TBD Practices: Once a week starting November 14th, there will be break during the holidays. Fee: Registrations per team is $65 per player which includes a reversible jersey. Family pricing is $5 discount per additional sibling registered.

If you are interested in volunteering to coach at any age level please contact Assistant Parks and Recreation Director David Shoemaker [email protected]

We are also looking for High School students interested in filling paid positions as Hall Monitors for practices during the week and game days on Saturdays.

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Drop off your letters to Santa in our special North Pole Mailbox outside of CharlestownTown Hall From Dec. 1-18

Lette rs to Sant a Mailbox location 4540 South County Trail, Charlestown, Ri 02813

Hidden Elf on a Shelf December 2nd through 21st There will be 8 elves hidden around our town parks. Find one and follow the directions on the form inside to claim your prize.

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Charlestown Parks and Recreation's

Christmas Spectacular Come join us and Santa for an evening full of winter magic. Bring the family for snacks, crafts, and rideable mechanical animals. Most of all, Santa will be in attendance, ready to hear what the children of Charlestown want for the holidays!

Location: Charlestown Town Hall Date: Friday, December 2nd Time:5:30-7:30 p.m.

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ChristmasSpectacular Drive In

Join us this holiday season for an extra special drive-in movie at Charlestown Town Hall! Our double feature will kick off with A Charlie Brown Christmas. Followed by a Christmas classic The Polar Express. Date: Friday, December 10th Time: 5:00pm Charlie Brown Christmas 5:30pm The Polar Express Hot Cocoa to be served with the movie.

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TBD

Join us for our annual New Year's Eve Bonfire, brought to us by Frank "Frankie Pallets" Glista.

Location: Ninigret Park Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022 Time: 4:30-6:00pm

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Snow White & Friends Dance Hi-ho! Hi-ho! It’s off the to the school we go for music, dancing, and refreshments. Meet Snow White, and friends. Grades: K-2 Date: Friday January 13th Time: 6:00-8:00 Location: Charlestown Elementary

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Sr. Community Center Daily and Weekly Activities Mondays

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

9am: Chi Balance

8:30am: Yoga

9am: Walking Group

10am: Tai Chi

10am: Painting

1pm: Bridge

10am: Bridge Class

1:15pm Cribbage

1pm: Mahjong

5:30pm Yoga

1pm: Pinochle 5:30pm: Zumba

Thursdays

Fridays

8:30am Yoga

8:30am: Functional Fitness

10am: Tai Chi

9am: Walking Group

1pm: Knitting

10am: Chair Yoga

1:15pm: Scrabble

10am: Pitch

5:30: Zumba

Our visiting nurse is at the center the 2nd Wednesday of the month from

Lunch

12:30pm-2:30pm. She is available for Blood Pressure checks and general medical questions. The Senior Commission meets at the center the 4th Tuesday of the month at 10:30am. Be sure to stop by or check our Website for updates! https://charlestownri.gov/seniorcommunity-center

Lunch is served daily at 12pm. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance.

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