LFR Program Newsletter
January - February
Department Updates
Beginning Monday, January 1, 2024, the Town of Manchester’s Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation will be offering free Recreation Membership Cards to all adult and senior residents for the 2024 programming season, made possible through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
A Recreation Membership Card can be obtained at Center Springs Park, the Community Y, Customer Services at Town Hall and the Senior Center. This card will allow access to the town’s recreation centers, outdoor & indoor pools, and the Community Y Fitness Center. Senior citizen passes are also valid for the Manchester Senior Center and Senior Center programs.
This offer is available to Manchester residents only. Questions? Please contact the Recreation Division at (860)647-3084.
Recreation Division
Winter, Fire & Ice
A FREE Fun community event intended to provide a safe and fun space for people to take a break from the winter blues and take a breath of fresh air, smile and be able to enjoy this time of year. What could be better than a cup of hot chocolate and a bag of popcorn as you see a 300 lb block of ice transform into something amazing. What better way to stay safe, stay happy and stay connected than a walk in the park and discover something unexpected.
- Meets: Sunday, 01/21/24, 11:00AM-12:30PM
- Location: Northwest Park, 448 Tolland Turnpike
- Ages: All ages
- Fee: No Fee
Intro to Crochet
Crochet is a type of needlecraft in which you use a hook to create fabric from loops of yarn. Crochet can be used to make everything from blankets and scarves to hats and sweaters. If you’re looking for a fun, creative way to spend your free time, this Intro to Crochet may be the perfect program for you!
- Meets: T, 01/09/24-03/05/24, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Location: Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center, 110 Cedar Street
- Ages: 7+
- Fee: $20/$25 (NR)
Intro to Digital Design
Are you looking to find new ways to design flyers, create logos, posters and more? In this course, you will learn the basic principles of the Canva database, tools needed to succeed in the digital design industry and how to design objects for specific purposes and audiences. You’ll also learn how to market yourself while building a portfolio.
- Meets: F, 01/12/24-04/19/24, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Location: Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center, 110 Cedar Street
- Ages: 13-17 years old
- Fee: $45/$50 (NR)
Friday Night Special: Hot Chocolate Social
Join us for our Friday Night Special: Hot Chocolate Social for a cup of delicious hot chocolate with customizable toppings such as marshmallows, sprinkles & whipped cream!
- Meets: F, 01/19/24, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Location: Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center, 110 Cedar Street
- Ages: All ages welcome
- Fee: No cost
Youth Service Bureau
Mommy & Me Playgroup
This program is for moms and their infants to early walking age (approximately newborn to under age 2). This group is for parents of young babies and toddlers to socialize in an unstructured playgroup atmosphere. This is a laid back social group with no judgment – come when you can! A private changing & feeding room is available.
- Meets: Tu, 01/09/24-04/30/24, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Location: NWP Early Childhood Center, 448 Tolland Turnpike
- Ages: 0-2 years old
- Fee: No cost or registration required
PAL/YSB Homework Club
Need help completing your homework, need a tutor or want some enrichment activities? Join the Homework Club at the Youth Service Bureau! Each day there will be one hour of focused homework/tutoring time & one hour of fun activities. Snack provided.
- Meets: M/T/Th, 01/08/24-03/14/24, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Location: Youth Service Bureau, 63 Linden Street
- Ages: Grades 5-8
- Fee: No cost
PFLAG
Through support, education and advocacy, PFLAG is helping to make our community a healthier, well-informed, safer, fairer and happier place for LGBTQ+ people, their families and their loved ones. Meetings are open (no registration required) and are designed to support families with LGBTQ+ youth. Meetings will be structured to include an LGBTQ+ youth group (ages 12-18).
- Facilitator: Kellie Gauvin
- Meets: First Tuesday of the month, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Location: Youth Service Bureau, 63 Linden Street
Neighborhoods & Families Division
Sustainability Learnshop – Food Waste to Compost
Hate throwing away spoiled leftovers and food scraps? Come find out about the many food waste drop off/collection programs accessible to Manchester residents for recycling food waste into compost! We will also discuss resources available to residents who are interested in composting at their own homes.
- Meets: W, 01/03/24, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Location: Eastside Neighborhood Resource Center, 153 Spruce Street
- Ages: All welcome
- Fee: No cost
Nathan Hale Movie Night: Inside Out
Join us for our free, family-friendly movie night series indoors at the Nathan Hale Recreation Center! Attendees are welcomed to bring their own chairs & blankets. Light refreshments will be provided.
- Meets: F, 01/05/24, screening starts at 6:00 PM
- Location: Nathan Hale Recreation Center, 160 Spruce Street
- Ages: All ages welcome
- Fee: No cost
Family Fun Night: Board Game Night
Come cozy up for an evening of classic board games and new favorites at our Family Fun Night: Board Game Night. Attendees are welcomed to pick from a diverse selection of board game options or bring a favorite of their own!
- Meets: F, 01/19/24, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Location: Nathan Hale Recreation Center, 160 Spruce Street
- Ages: PreK – Grade 6
- Fee: No cost
Save the Date – Spruce Street Farmers Market: Love Your Local Indoor Market
Our Love Your Local Indoor Market is the perfect place to pick up gifts & treats for a loved one (or to treat yourself)! Support small Connecticut businesses as you shop with your favorite market vendors. The market also accepts SNAP/EBT payments & will double the value of SNAP purchases up to $20.00 (spend $20.00 using your EBT card to receive an additional $20.00 to spend on SNAP-eligible items).
- Meets: Sat, 02/10/24, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location: Nathan Hale Recreation Center, 160 Spruce Street
- Ages: All ages welcome
- Fee: Free parking & admission
Like this article?
Leave a comment
About Author
James Costa is the Neighborhoods & Families Coordinator for the Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation. He began working with the division during his sophomore year at Manchester High School, and he is now a UConn graduate with degrees in Journalism & Film Studies.
Fun Fact #1: I won my car in a raffle during Manchester High School’s Project Graduation.
Fun Fact #2: My all-time favorite movies are All That Heaven Allows, Punch-Drunk Love & Twin Peaks: The Return.