A presentation on the Colchester Parks & Recreation Department, describing who they are and what they do.

1. Colchester Select Board
Presentation 2014

2. Lisa Liotta, Chair
Adrianne Schubert
Dick Pecor
Buddy Marceau
Owen Banks
Suzanne Kelley

3. Recreation
Responsibilities:
Managing all facets of the Parks
and Recreation Department
Managing the Park Capital Plan
Provide recreation opportunities to
residents of all ages.
Park and program planning
Project development
Project management
Management and regulation of
departmental ordinances
Responding to citizen requests
Parks
Responsibilities:
To provide safe parks for
recreational activities
Maintain the infrastructure for all
municipal properties
Maintain all greenways on public
recreation paths
Constantly update the Parks
Capital Plan

4. Director- Fully funded by General Fund Budget
Assistant Director- Partially funded by General Fund
Budget and Program Fund
2 Program Coordinators- Fully funded by Program Fund
Administrative Assistant- Partially funded by General
Fund Budget and Program Fund
3 Site Directors for ACE Program: Fully Funded by
Program Fund

5. ACE Afterschool Program- created 2004
State Licensed Childcare Provider
• Union Memorial School
• Porter’s Point School
• Malletts Bay School
• Colchester Middle School
Over 200 children are registered to participate in
this program in the 2014-2015 school year.
This program employs over 25 part-time staff

6. Jr. Explorer Camp (9 weeks)
Explorer Camp (9 weeks)
Girls Spirit Camp
Bike Camp
Hook A Kid Camp
Baseball Camp
Tennis Academy
Fusion Taekwon-do Camp
Lacrosse Camp
Basketball Camp
Mountain Bike Camp
Soccer Camp
Football Camp
Speed, Agility, Quickness &
Conditioning Camp
Fall Sports Boot Camp
87 total programs offered
Equestrian and Sports Camp
Woods, Water and Wildlife
Public Service Awareness Camp
Northern Lights Rock’n Ropes
Adventure Camp
Information Technology Camp
Young Rembrants Drawing Camp
Spanish Language Camp
Basic Cooking and Baking Camp
Youth Musical Theatre Camp
High School Musical Theatre Camp
Wacky Science Camp
Lights, Camera…Action Camp
Skateboard Camp
Fishing Camp
Archery Camp

7. The Bayside Beach is managed by our department and we currently employ 8
lifeguards and water safety instructors (swim instructors). The lifeguarded beach
is open starting June 16th – August 15th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week
and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends.
Public swimming is free. There was a charge to use the beach but 4 years ago
the Select Board decided to eliminate the fees. Our department operates the
Beach at a deficit around $14,000-$16,000 each year which is subsidized through
the Program Fund.
Our Waterfront operations also support the Colchester Triathlon for swimmer
safety.
Programs currently offered at the waterfront:
Swim lessons (36 classes available)
Junior Lifeguard Camp
Water Adventure Camp
Secrets in the Sand Camp

8. 2nd Annual Causeway 5/15 K
30th Annual Colchester Triathlon
Summer Concert Series (4 Thursdays)
4th of July Celebration
• 5k Fun Run
• Parade
• Concert
• Fireworks

9. Gingerbread Haunted Houses
Family Swim
Smart Start Soccer
Kempo Karate
Tiny Tumblers
Family Music Makers
Young Rembrants Drawing
Lego Lunacy
Intro to Video Media
Youth Knitting
Forensic Investigation Club
After School Bowling
Footloose Friday
Acting Out
Creating Crafts with Wood
Grub Club
Beginning Ice Skating
Gingerbread Houses
Holiday Ornaments
Hip Hop Classes
Junior Juijitsu
Ballet Dancing Classes
Kempo Karate
Tap and Jazz Dancing Classes
Character Development
Babysitting Training
Hunter Safety
Learn to Draw
Cake Decorating
60 total programs offered
Chair Yoga
Composting
Nature Photography
Beginner Watercolor
Intermediate Watercolor
Amazing Essential Oils
French Beginners
Spanish Beginners
Pilates
Sciatica Nerve Stretch Class
Hatha Yoga
Zumba
Adult Volleyball
Adult Basketball
Adult Tap Classes
Belly Dance Fusion
Body and Mind Mix
Yoga Flow
Six Pack in Six Weeks
Use it or Lose it Challenge
Movement and Fitness Assessment
Therapeutic Yoga
Adult Hip Hop
Adult Financial Workshop
Friday Movie Matinee
Senior Trip to Hildene
Tai Chi
Writing Stories from your life
Autumn Luncheon

10. Muck it Up Outdoor Challenge
Breakfast with Santa

11. Playgroup
Prenatal Exercise
Early Literacy Training
Baby music makers
Toddler music makers
Tiny Tigers Kempo
Smart Start Soccer
Smart Start Basketball
Smart Start Sports Development
Tiny Tumblers
Tap Kids
Tap and Jazz
Beginner Hip Hop
Dashing Divas
Beginning Ice Skating
Intro to Video Journalism
Drawing with Young Rembrants
Monster Truck Mechanics
Lego Lunacy
Little Lego Lunacy
Forensic Investigation Club
Creating Crafts with Wood
Youth knitting
Youth Spanish
After School Bowling
After School Tennis
Create Your Own Puzzle
Jewlery Making
Junior Kempo
ThinkSafe
Kid-Jitsu
February and April Vacation Camp
Baseball Clinic
Tennis Clinic
Spring Break Soccer Camp
Drawing and Watercolor Vacation Camp
Youth Lacrosse
Youth Basketball
Coffeehouse
Babysitting Training
Northern Lights Rock’n Ropes Vacation Camp
Dancing Like the Stars
Panorama Sugar Eggs
Family Game Night
Daddy Daughter Skate
Open Swim at St Mike’s
Beginner Spanish
Intermediate Spanish
Zumba
Boater Safety
Jay Peak Ski Trip
Chair Yoga
Pick Up Volleyball
Adult Basketball
Body and Mind Mix
Pilates
P90X ABS
Coed Volleyball
Use it to loose it
Boxing and Cardio Boot Camp
Moisturizing Milk Soap From Scratch
Amazing Essential Oils
Fantastic Facial With A Citrus Twist
Winter Aromatherapy Crafts
Champlain Valley Broomball League
Culinary Boot Camp
Chinese
Irish Country Cooking
Core Vinyasa Yoga Flow
Yoga Flow
Hatha Yoga
Skype for Seniors
Facebook for Seniors
Hatha Yoga for Senior
Tai Chi for Arthritis
Friday Movie Matinee
Books and Bites
Senior Lunches
Beginner Watercolor
Intermediate Watercolor
Digital Camera Basics
74 total programs offered

12. 31st Annual Colchester Winter Carnival
Colchester Day at St. Michael’s
Colchester Lion’s Club Easter Egg Hunt
7th Annual Touch A Truck

13. Youth Basketball
• 221 participants in grades 1-8
• 48 volunteers
• 23 teams
Youth Lacrosse
• 100 participants in grades 1-8
• 12 volunteers
• 4 teams
Youth Track and Field
• Athletes participate in the Hershey Track and Field Meet
and the Vermont Recreation and Park Association State Track Meet.
Our department does State of Vermont and Nationwide background
checks on all volunteers associated with youth sports.

14. Four years ago the department decided to make the Senior Center a
new and inviting facility for all residents of Colchester to enjoy. We used
Program Fund revenues to remodel the interior of the building with new
sheetrock walls and ceilings and a new kitchen. The cost of the
renovation was $25,000 of which no tax payer money was used.
We have been successful in bringing new and exciting programs to the
center such as:
Technology programs
Body and wellness programs
Senior lunches
Movie matinees
Art classes
Social opportunities

15. In the Fall of 2014, Colchester Parks and
Recreation & Colchester School District
unveiled LIFE, a collaborative effort in providing
new educational opportunities for all ages.
With the mission of promoting lifelong learning:
LIFE classes range from Arts, Fitness and
Technology to Music, Food and Hobby.
http://colchestervt.gov/Recreation/parksNRec.shtml

16. Building Bright Futures of Colchester is a state subsidized
program for children birth to age 6. We receive a grant
from Building Bright Futures Direct Services of Chittenden
County and the Child Development Division of the VT
Department for Children and Families. These grant dollars
support the following programs:
Playgroup
Baby/Toddler Social
Prenatal Exercise
Early Literacy Training
Parent Education Classes
Transition to Kindergarten
This program is housed in the basement of the Town
Meeting Hall in Village.

17. Total Programs from January 1, 2014 to
Present: 339
Participants in those programs: 3,446
Those numbers will increase with expansion
of ACE program and the new LIFE program.
Staffing totals for recreation programs:
• 8 full time staff (Office staff and ACE site directors)
• 77 seasonal part time staff (ACE and summer staff)
• Contractual employees not included.

18. Throughout the spring and summer months our department is constantly
scheduling athletic venues such as the softball field for the 4 adult leagues
that rent the facility as well as the soccer, baseball and lacrosse fields.
That work is handled by the Assistant Recreation Director.
The park pavilions at Bayside Park and Airport Park continue to be a
popular event location for residents and non-residents. Reservations can
begin on March 1st of each year on a first come first serve basis.

19. This is a program that our department created to be a volunteer pool for events
and activities in our community. We wanted to base it on the Play it Forward
concept. Those who volunteer for department activities will be honored with a
dinner in the fall.
Some Benefits of Volunteering:
Flexible Scheduling
Learn new skills
Teach others
Gain experience
Meet new people
Improve your health
Become involved in your community
Volunteer Opportunities:
Causeway 5K/15K Race
4th of July Parade
Colchester Triathlon
Winter Carnival
Bayside Activity Center
Youth Sports Coach

21. The current staff consists of:
Park Supervisor- Ted Ryan (year round employee)
Park Foreman- Pete Cote (9 month position)
Park Laborer- Larry Rooney (9 month position)
Park Laborer- Paul Rodrigue (9 month position)
Park Laborer- Chris Jones (6 month position)
Park Laborer- Ross Moberg (6 month position)
Park Laborer- Jason Fyfe (6 month position)
Park Laborer- Christian Parry (3 month position)

22. Activity Hours
Equipment Maintenance 136
Irrigation Maintenance 46.5
Athletic Field Maintenance 498.5
Mowing Trimming 2787.5
Trash Removal/ Recycling 216.5
Bathroom Maintenance 104.5
Vandalism Repair 54.5
Flower Bed Maintenance 114
Special Events 472
Bike Path/ Trail Maintenance 279
Tree and Shrub Maintenance 322.5
Building Maintenance 45
Turf Management 225
Athletic Court Maintenance 123
Misc Repairs 339.5
Vehicle Cleaning 46.5
Fall Cleanup and Close Down 606
Spring Clean and Set Up 739
Playground Maintenance 105.5
Park Maintenance 460.5
Staff Meeting 10
Supervising 221
Total hours 7,953

23. Airport Park
488 Colchester Point Road
64.5 acres of all-purpose recreation amenities
Amenities:
200 car parking lot
1.3 mile perimeter jogging/walking trail
Restrooms
Picnic areas
Pavilion- seating for 100
3 baseball fields
1 softball field
2 multi purpose fields
6 horseshoe pits
2 tennis/pickleball courts
2 sand volleyball courts
1 basketball court
2 fully lit outdoor ice skating rinks (winter)

24. Bayside Park
2 West Lakeshore Drive
22 acres overlooking the naturally beautiful Malletts Bay area of Lake Champlain,
including beach access, and with a rugged forest area located at Upper Bayside.
Amenities:
Parking lot
Restrooms
Bathhouse
Pavilion (seating for 150)
Playground
Beach access with swim area
Bayside Activity Center
Two shuffleboard courts
Four tennis/pickleball courts
Basketball court
Two sand volleyball courts
Lacrosse/football field
Softball field with lights
Skatepark

25. Colchester Causeway
4 mile long, 10ft. wide gravel path extending into Lake Champlain.
Amenities:
Renovated gravel path suitable for walking, running, biking and fishing.
Duck Hunting allowed in season.
Parking lot (Mills Point and Airport Park)
Island Line Bike Ferry (operated by Local Motion)

26. Rossetti Natural Area
47 acres of undeveloped natural area, conserving its amenities.
Amenities:
Parking lot for 75 cars
Wetlands
Wooded Area
Walking Path
Boardwalk of wetland area
1200 ft of sandy beach

27. Fort Ethan Allen
Between Route 15 and Dalton Drive
19 acre multi-purpose area owned mutually between the Town of Essex and the
Town of Colchester.
Amenities:
New Playground (installed in 2013)
Two tennis courts
Two multi-purpose fields
Open space for cricket or rugby
Gazebo
Walking trail

28. Colchester Village Park
Main Street behind Water District Building
66 acre undeveloped park. Currently completing a 5 car parking lot and a paved
path access. We are currently in discussions with the Vermont Youth
Conservation Corps to create a trail network and bridge over the Indian Brook.

29. Sunny Hollow Natural Area
Hercules Drive
80 acres of diverse land and area
Amenities:
Limited parking
4 mile mountain biking and walking trails
Have worked with Fellowship of the Wheel to create trail network

30. Heineberg/Billado Fishing Access Area
Heineberg Drive before Winooski River Bridge
4 acres of natural area
Amenities:
Parking lot
Town and Stae access to the Winooski River
Fishing
Non-motorized boat access
Walking trail

31. Law Island
West of Causeway on Lake Champlain
8.5 acres parcel owned by the State of Vermont and maintained by the Town of
Colchester
Amenities:
Camping permitted
Composting outhouse
No fires
Recently removed old camps
Stop on the Lake Champlain Paddlers Trail

32. Porter Natural Area
Mills Point Road along Causeway
56 acres of undisturbed land
Town of Colchester owns the property but the Lake Champlain Land Trust
holds the conservation easement on the area.
Currently there is no active recreation amenities on site. There are not plans to
do any development but leave it as conserved land.

33. Heritage Park
Colchester Village
Small Playground (2013)
Tennis court
Basketball court
Small greenspace
Valleyfield Park
Valleyfield Drive
Small playground
Small greenspace
Bonanza Park
Bonanza Park Drive
Small playground
Small greenspace

34. Currently the Parks Staff maintain over 10
miles of recreation paths in the community.
• Bayside to Village Path
• Holy Cross Road Path
• Colchester Point Road Path
• Causeway Path

35. The Parks Division also maintains the turf and
landscaping of all municipal buildings
Town Office
Police Department
Parsonage House
Meeting House
Library
Rescue
Bayside Activity Center
Public Works Garage
Pump Stations

36. FY 11
BAYSIDE PARK
Tennis Court Fill/Surfacing $ 6,500.00
Roof Repairs $ 10,900.00
Pavilion, Bath House Gazebo
Skate Park Sign $ 750.00
Skate Park Surface Repairs $ 1,834.98
AIRPORT PARK
Batters Box Inserts $ 1,291.00
Ice Rink Liner $ 2,247.00
2 Trees $ 621.00
Infield Material for Field 3 $ 3,636.00
ROSSETTI NATURAL AREA
Parking lot expansion $ 7,500.00
Total Expended $ 35,279.98
FY 12
BAYSIDE PARK
Phase 2 Engineering & Bid $ 2,879.48
Softball Field Material $ 11,999.50
2 Benches Lower Bayside $ 1,000.00
AIRPORT PARK
Infield Material for Field 2 & 4 $ 20,172.18
and stockpile
Ice Rink Liner $ 2,154.00
Airport Storage Building Eng. $ 1,744.33
Hose Hookup Field 2 $ 344.71
SUNNY HOLLOW
Trail Work with FOTW $ 2,000.00
LAW ISLAND
Grant Match for Debris removal $ 6,500.00
Hazardous Material Consultant $ 2,461.50
Total Expended $ 51,255.70
FY 13
AIRPORT PARK
Infield Material Field #1 $ 3,657.00
Ice Rink Liner $ 2,154.00
CAUSEWAY
Trail Repair by Airport Park $ 1,711.25
Resurfacing Mills Point-Bridge $ 28,128.00
Engineering $ 1,836.50
SUNNY HOLLOW
Trail Work with FOTW $ 2,000.00
Total Expended $ 39,486.75
FY 14
FORT ETHAN ALLEN
Playground $ 53,107.00
AIRPORT PARK
Replace Tennis Fence $ 8,340.00
Expand Irrigation $ 17,000.00
Widen Entry Road $ 5,100.00
BAYSIDE PARK
Phase 2 Construction $ 55,956.00
New Entry into park
traffic island replace barrels
Expected Cost $ 139,503.00
FY 15
HERITAGE PARK
Playground $ 15,000.00
AIRPORT PARK
Repair field in back $ 40,000.00
Build new maintenance building $ 50,000.00
Expected Cost $ 105,000.00
FY 16
AIRPORT PARK
Finish maintenance building $ 109,500.00
Expected Cost: $ 109,500.00

37. Parks FY 14- $355,980
FY 15- $401,270
Recreation FY 14- $278,829
FY 15- $218,880
Program Fund FY 13 Actual Revenue $664,370
FY 13 Actual Expense $652,407

38. Thank you for your ongoing support of our
department.