Springs Brook Park ~ All the News You Need to Know!

 

By Julie McCay Turner

Summer preparations are underway at Springs Brook Park (SBP) and the park is looking forward to a great season. Bedford’s Recreation Commission and Recreation Department have created a brochure full of summer delights. Click here to view the 2018 SBP brochure as a PDF.

NOTE: While memberships can be purchased online through this link, residents will need to wait until 9 pm on April 12 to register online for swim classes.

ABOUT SBP’s 2018 SEASON

In addition to a sense of community and swim lessons, Springs Brook Park offers

• AMENITIES: Wooded/shaded picnic grove with tables and grills; shade structures; a concession stand; outdoor rinsing showers; and restrooms
• FUN FOR YOUNG FAMILIES: A playground suited for elementary school students and toddlers; a sand beach (bring beach toys!); a spray park with shallow pond spray features; and zero depth entry
• ENTERTAINMENT & PLANNED ACTIVITIES: a gaga pit; half-court basketball; miniature golf; sand volleyball court; tetherball; wall ball; and stand up paddle boards and kayak

OPENING DATES, DAYS, AND TIMES

Springs Brook Park will be open for the 2018 season from Wednesday, June 20 through Friday, August 17.

The Park will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 am – 7:30 pm and on Sundays, from noon to 6 pm. The water will be cleared 30 minutes prior to closing time and the gate closes promptly.

The Park will be closed on Mondays.

SEASON MEMBERSHIP FEES for 2018

Memberships may be purchased online, at the Recreation Office, by fax, or at Springs Brook Park during the season using (Visa, MC, AmEx, Discover, cash, check to “Town of Bedford”) *Family Membership includes a primary member, his/her spouse and children under age 23. There is an additional fee for extended family members/daycare children. No membership required for children under age 1.

Full Membership Admission during all hours of operation.

• Bedford Resident Individual $140 ~ *Family $375
• Non-Resident Individual $180 ~ *Family $475

Limited Membership Admission limited to Weekdays after 4:00 pm and all day Saturday-Sunday.

• Bedford Resident Individual $90 ~ *Family $275
• Non-Resident Individual $110 ~ *Family $375

Special Seasonal Categories

• Bedford Senior Citizen (Age 65+) $50 Must either be registered with the Recreation Dept. or show ID with date of birth and address at the Park.
• Bedford Middle School Or High School Student – $25

Daily Admission For Bedford Residents (Cash Only, Identification Required)

• Tuesday-Sunday $10/person (age 1 and up) Max. $35/Family Rate
• After 4 pm: $7/person. Max: $25/Family Rate
• After 6 pm: No fee

Only Bedford residents may visit on a “Daily Admission” basis. All others must have a membership to visit Springs Brook Park or must visit with a resident or member as a guest

SWIM LESSONS

Springs Brook Park will offer swim lessons for STARFISH (previous Level 0); GUPPY (previous Level 1); SUNFISH (previous Level 2); STINGRAY (previous Level 3); SEAL (previous Level 4); and DOLPHIN (previous Level 5)

Session 1 ~ July 3 to July 13 with no class Wed. 7/4

• Resident $78
• Non-Resident $96

Session 2 ~July 17 to July 27, and Session 3 ~ July 31 to August 10

• Resident $90
• Non-Resident $110

Late Day Lessons:  Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 10-August 2, 4:30-5:10 or 5:15-5:55.  Fee:  Resident $90;  Non-Resident $110

Membership is not required for Resident Lesson Registration, but all students and accompanying parents/guardians and siblings must pay to enter the park if not members. Children age 11 or younger must be accompanied by an adult in the Park during swim lessons.  Nonresidents must have a membership to register for lessons

SPRINGS BROOK PARK DIRECTOR

Springs Brook Park’s Director Matt Mulrooney holds a BBA in International Business and a Masters in the Art of Teaching. He currently teaches Spanish and French at Chelmsford High School. Matt has been a self-proclaimed fish since a very young age, his love of swimming evolving into lifeguarding, teaching swimming, competing on and coaching swim teams. He has experience managing seasonal waterfronts as well as experience operating his own swim program, ACES Aquatics, that offers swim instruction and swim team

NEW THIS YEAR: Swim Team Prep

The purpose of Swim Team Prep is to give swimmers the skills and knowledge they need to be able to join a swim team. The program will be led by coach Matt Mulrooney and the swim staff at Springs Brook Park.

Classes include, but not limited to stroke development and refinement; racing starts; racing turns; reading pace clock for practice purposes; aerobic development; swim team jargon, and timed test sets to track improvement.

Prerequisite: Level Stingray or Red Cross Level 3, the ability to Freestyle and Backstroke from the dock to the beach. Swim level evaluation will take place on the first evening, June 28. For more information email Coach Matt at Aces Aquatics: mailto:[email protected]

SBP SWAG COMING THIS SUMMER!

Julie Halloran, Bedford Recreation Commissioner, is designing a new logo for Springs Brook Park, and T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, and Beach Bags will be available to order in June. Information and prices available in May.

SPECIAL EVENTS

• July 4th Celebration ~ Celebrate the 4th of July with events, raffles, games and festivities all day….> Watermelon served at 2pm> Lowell Spinners Ticket Raffle winner will be announced at 3 pm (Must be present to win) and the party with music, dancing, and games hosted by DJ Mike Pride from 3 to 5 pm
• Wet and Wild Day ~ Wednesday, July 25 Games focused on cooling you off this summer! Pin the Tale on The Whale, Finding Nemo, Sponge Relay, Bucket Brigade, Guess The Goldfish, and more scattered throughout the day!
• Fun in the Sun Family Day ~ Saturday, August 4 Join friends, and family, stay local and make it a day at Springs Brook! > Sandcastle Contest: Judging at 2 pm Cape Ann Whale Watch Ticket Giveaway at 2:30 (Must be present to win) then party with music, dancing, and games hosted by DJ Mike Pride from 2:30 to 4:30 pm

PERFORMERS

• Magical Moments with Ed Popielarczyk Wednesday, July 11 at 3 pm. Comedy, magic and tall tales assisted by lots of audience participation! Join the fun!
• The Groovy Guy Saturday, July 21 at 2 pm. Be wowed by extraordinary juggling tricks and improbable feats of balance. Hold your breath as he walks the tightrope. Gasp with delight as he balances above the crowd on his tall unicycle!
• Silly Willy Wednesday, August 8 at 3 pm. An SBP favorite, it’s not summer without a visit from Silly Willy with a mix of clowning around, magic, fun, and balloon creations!

WEEKLY EVENTS

• Pop-Up Games 3-4 times per week Join the Lifeguards for a game of their choice! Could be anything…an obstacle course, bingo, a treasure hunt? Will be announced on the loudspeaker that day. Ages TBA.
• SBP Arts and Crafts Thursdays in July at 3:15 Create with the Crew! Ages 6-10, ages 3-5 w/parent.

HOW IS THE POND WATER TREATED?

• What is used to treat the water? The water in the pond is treated with liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite).
• What is the capacity of the chlorine tank and how often is it replenished? The tank holds approximately 500 gallons of chlorine. The supply is kept uninterrupted, with deliveries as needed and typically more than once per week.
• How is chlorine flow determined? Chlorine flow (stroke and speed) to the pond is set to the level required to maintain a constant reading of free chlorine between 1.5 ppm and 3 ppm.
• How often are chlorine levels measured and adjusted? Chlorine, pH, and alkalinity levels are tested prior to opening each day and then at least once again during the day (more often when conditions are extreme). Records of the readings are maintained.
• What determines the rate of chlorine use? Many factors determine the rate of use, including sunlight, heat and bather load among others.
• Laboratory Testing: Water samples from four locations in the pond are taken weekly and analyzed at a private laboratory. Lab results are sent directly to the Bedford Board of Health.
• Is the water filtered? The pond water is continuously filtered 24/7 throughout the season of operation. The filter is backwashed as needed, but at least twice per day