Things are strangely quiet in the Recreation Department office these days.
But program participation is robust, both in-person and virtual.
Director Amy Hamilton told the Recreation Commission Wednesday that fall was a “really good season” for program participation. Adult registration was up 8 percent over a year earlier. She noted that some live programs reverted to virtual after the Board of Health re-instituted the indoor mask mandate last summer.
“It will be mixed again this winter,” Hamilton said, with children’s programs almost entirely in person. Winter registration begins next week, and “everything we have planned is running.”
Asked about feedback, she said, “People seem happy.” But she acknowledged that for the departmental staff, “it does feel different, just because there is less activity in our building, much less foot traffic. People have become so accustomed to doing everything online. The work environment is completely different than pre-pandemic.” Even equipment pickup practices have been modified, she said.
“I think you guys have done a really good job working with the situation,” said Recreation Commission Chair Robin Steele.
“Think back to that first spring and how challenging that was, not knowing what we would be able to continue. That was a stressful time,” Hamilton reflected. Steele commented that Recreation Department programs, even virtual ones, have served an important role in providing residents with things to do.
Hamilton also told the commission that the demographic window is changing for recreation basketball, a program that is named in memory of former Recreation Director Frank Bauman.
The eligibility for Bauman Basketball now begins at grade one, Hamilton said, and the younger cohort is “very heavily enrolled. Parents want their kids to start playing basketball younger.” But there is no participation after sixth grade.
Middle school players and their parents prefer travel teams, Hamilton explained. “They want to play other communities, which they perceive to be a more challenging experience.” Neighboring towns are experiencing the same trend, she said.
Practices began this week, with games getting underway Saturday.
Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763
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