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Spring 2009
The Raynham Park and Recreation Department strives to serve and enhance the lives of all Raynham residents by offering a diverse spectrum of programs and services, as well as the development, management, and upkeep of public parks and recreation facilities and amenities.
The Park and Recreation Department has many responsibilities throughout the Town of Raynham. These responsibilities include the upkeep and permitting use of 17 athletic fields, 4 schools, Johnson Pond and numerous public buildings and facilities. At Borden Colony there are 6 athletic fields to maintain: Burke Soccer Field, Griffiths Soccer Field, Borden Colony Multi-purpose Field, Mary Lou Arruda Soccer Field, Borden Colony Softball Field, and McKenney Babe Ruth Field. The Park and Grounds division of the Raynham Highway Department maintain these premiere athletic facilities.
Other facilities at Borden Colony include the gazebo and field area, horse ring, tennis courts, flying area, and preschool playground. Public buildings at Borden Colony include the Council on Aging, Park and Recreation office, Lions Club, Gymkhana Club, and soccer concession stand. The playground area behind the concession stand is also maintained by the Park and Recreation Department.
The L.B. Merrill School athletic complex consists of 7 ball fields, a football field, basketball courts, 2 playgrounds, and a concession stand. The Raynham Middle School complex consists of a track, soccer / football field, softball field, baseball field, outdoor tennis and basketball courts.
There are 4 schools in town that are the responsibility of the Park and Recreation Department. The L.B Merrill School, LaLiberte School, Raynham Middle School and the South School.
Other areas in town that the Park and Recreation Department maintains are Reid Softball Field, Legion Soccer Field, Johnson’s Pond, and the Anchor. Besides the usual mowing, weed whacking and garbage duties, Johnson’s Pond has a fountain and several signs to be maintained. The Anchor is a historic symbol in town with bushes and shrubs needing to be trimmed.
The Parks and Grounds maintenance crew carefully monitor the illegal dumping of trash on town property and is also responsible for its clean up and disposal. They assist in the winterization of the fields, concession stands, and Gymkhana building. Also, one of the most time consuming responsibilities of the department is honoring the requests of over 11 different sports leagues and clubs that use the facilities we maintain.
Programming for the department is the responsibility of the Director, Program Coordinator and Child Care Administrator. The Department is busy year-round offering quality programs to Raynham residents. Some of these programs such as the Before and After School Child Care and the Summer Playground Program, have become indispensable to working parents who need a safe and affordable place to leave their children. The Before and After School Program is located at the L.B. Merrill School and offers care for children Monday-Friday during the school year. During the Before School Program the Park and Recreation staff offers breakfast and helps with homework before sending the children off to school. The enrollment in the morning program is 52 children. During the After School program the children are
provided a snack and given a choice of numerous activities. The afternoon program has 78 children in grades K-8 enrolled. The Child Care Administrator and staff members work to provide quality care for these children on a daily basis.
During the summer months the department offers an 8-week summer playground program. The program includes daily activities at the Merrill School in addition to weekly field trips to fun and exciting destinations. For working parents we also offer extended day child care, with over 50 children enrolled in 2008.
Another important program is our youth basketball league in which children in grades 2-8 learn the skills of basketball. Over 375 children are enrolled this season, with 38 teams playing games 6 days per week. Children in Kindergarten and 1st grade are also introduced to basketball with an instructional 8-week program. This year over 90 children have registered for participation.
Park and Recreation also hosts special events, trips, concerts, and many other programs throughout the year. Special events include our annual Halloween Party and Egg Haunt, the Easter Egg Hunt with Barn Babies, and the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting. These seasonal events draw in large numbers of Raynham families. Bus trips to Boston for Broadway-style shows always sell-out quickly. Recent shows include “The Boston Pops” “and "High School Musical". Our Summer Concert Series brings young and old alike to the Borden Colony gazebo during the month of July.
During the past year we have offered numerous activities and programs for youth, teenagers, and adults to enjoy. Youth programs include preschool playground, archery, karate, tennis, drama classes, art instruction, ice skating, sports clinics and vacation fun clubs. For adults we offer open gym basketball, Yoga, Zumba, co-ed soccer and various sports tournaments. This past winter we offered a free parent workshop on"Raising an Organized Child". It is the goal of this Department that our work will improve the quality of life of all Raynham residents who participate in our programs and special events, or play on the fields and playgrounds we maintain.
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