EJRP News

Maple Street Running Series Race Report from May 23

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:16:44 +0000

On May 23rd, runners gathered on a beautiful day at Maple Street Park for the third of four races in the Maple Street Park Running Series. Runners race each week to earn points. In order to come up with a series winner, points will be accumulated from each race. Prizes will be given to the top three men and women at the series award presentation which takes place after the final race on May 30th. Due to the cancellation on May 16, there is one race left if anyone is interested in running. Please click on the attachments below to view race results and series points.

Essex Half Marathon Early Registration extended through the weekend!

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:21:17 +0000

We have extended the early registration deadline for the Essex Half Marathon. You now have until midnight, Sunday, May 20th to register for the race at the $45 rate. After that deadline, the price will go up $10. Don't hesitate! Register today for this great race being held on July 29th. For more information or to register, visit www.essexhalf.com/.

22nd Annual Father’s Day Fun Run 5K

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:13:20 +0000

Join us for our 22^nd Annual Father’s Day Fun Run 5K (3.1 mile) road race. This is a certified course. T-shirts are guaranteed to all racers who are registered before June 8. We will have our popular prize categories for placers, including fastest overall male, female, dad, senior, and more. Sign up with Dad or Granddad and their registration is free!

Date Sunday, June 17
Time 9 AM
Place Maple Street Park
Fee $12 pre-registration/$15 race day registration
Code 16001A

Rain, Mud, and Fun

Thu, 10 May 2012 14:46:23 +0000

On May 9th, runners braved the rain, mud, and sloppy conditions for the second of four races in the Maple Street Park Running Series. Racers race each week to earn points. In order to come up with a series winner, points will be accumulated from each race. Prizes will be given to the top three men and women at the series award presentation which takes place after the final race on May 23rd. There are still 2 races left if anyone is interested in running. Please click on the attachments below to view race results and series points.

Dog Park Challenge

Tue, 08 May 2012 16:18:20 +0000

The Essex Dog Park is currently undergoing a fundraising campaign to construct a dog park at 111 West Street. For more information view the dog park flyer.

Additionally, our community is competing in the PetSafe Bark for Your Park Challenge. Through a process over the next few months, one community will be selected as the recipient of a $100K award to support the creation of a dog park! The runner up will receive $25K. The number of votes count - and the judgment is based on population, so we are on equal playing ground with big cities.

The process is VERY simple. From now until June 14, you can vote up to twice a day - once on their website and once on Facebook. To vote on their website, you do have to create an account. It takes 2-seconds - e-mail address, password, first and last name. Identify your city as "Essex, VT." Then each day (or as often as you can remember), you can click on "Vote Now."

http://www.petsafe.net/barkforyourpark/

There's never been a simpler way to "contribute." Please consider this or using Facebook to vote. We appreciate your support!

Feel free to share with friends and neighbors.

Maple Street Running Series Race Report from May 2nd

Thu, 03 May 2012 14:46:54 +0000

On May 2nd, we had 40 racers brave the soggy conditions for the first of four races in the Maple Street Park Running Series. Racers race each week to earn points. In order to come up with a series winner, points will be accumulated from each race. Prizes will be given to the top three men and women at the series award presentation which takes place after the final race on May 23rd. There are still 3 races left if anyone is interested in running. Please click on the attachments below to view race results and series points.

Spring Trip to Stowe! Wednesday, May 9

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:12:35 +0000

Join us for a fun-filled bus trip to Stowe! We will travel by coach bus to several exciting locations, led by our energetic leader Maureen! Mornings stops will include the Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Cabot Cheese Annex, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Danforth Pewter, and the Ziemke Glassblowing Studio. Lunch will be a delicious, wood-fired pizza buffet with 5 different types of out-of-this-word pizza from Pie in the Sky! Lunch includes soup, Caesar salad, a beverage and all the pizza you can eat! After lunch we will take a history tour at the Trapp Family Lodge (see photo above) then, time permitting, stop at a few shops and antique stores on the way back to Maple Street Park. The bus departs from Maple Street Park at 8:30am sharp (please arrive by 8:15am) and will return by 4:30pm.

The cost of the trip is just $42 for residents ($47 for non-residents) and includes transportation, lunch and admission for the tour. Open to all ages. Invite your friends for a great experience!

Essex Half Marathon

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:55:49 +0000

Sunday, July 29

Aspire Open House - Sunday, April 22

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:06:03 +0000

Join us Sunday, April 22 from 3-7:30pm for free classes! No need to register, just drop-in and stay as long as you want! Check out the tentative schedule below.

Time	Class	Instructor
3:00-3:30	Preschool Yoga	Deb Malgeri
3:40-4:10	Preschool Dance	Mauranda Dalziel
4:15 Prize Drawing
4:25-4:55	Zumba	Jen McKenzie
5:00-5:30	Kick-Butt Boot Camp	Ian Kelly
5:35-6:05	Kickboxing	Toni Kunker
6:10 Prize Drawing
6:15-6:45	Zumba	Abby Rice
6:50-7:20	Yoga/Pilates	Toni Kunker
7:25 Prize Drawing

RSVP on Facebook (optional)

Girls' Night Out!

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:33:15 +0000

Jazzercise and Zumba together on one hot dance floor. Join us Friday, April 13 from 7-9pm. Invite your friends! Admission is free, but you must RSVP to the event on Facebook. Space is limited to the first 50 responses.

Bringing Local Foods to Schools

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:22:07 +0000

Five Corners Farmers' Market Winter Sustainability Series & CCSU Present:
Working Together to Bring More Local Foods to CCSU Schools

Thursday, April 12th, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
at the Essex High School Cafeteria

Join food service professionals, students, school staff, parents, and community members for an opportunity to learn about and discuss increasing the amount of local foods in school meals. Learn about the various factors that affect food service programs, and listen to ideas and initiatives that are working in area schools. Community members will share their perspectives, eating habits, and ideas about how to promote healthy eating in school and reinforce it at home. Don’t miss the chance to join in this important conversation and explore additional partnerships between schools, community organizations, Vermont FEED (Food Education Every Day), and producers to bring more local products into our schools. We need your voice! Free dinner will be served. Students grade 6 and older welcome.

Photo credit: clayirving

Maple Street Park 5K Running Series

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:09:34 +0000

This is the most fun you'll have on a Wednesday night! The Maple Street Park Running Series is a points-based series designed to encourage friendly competition and the enjoyment of running and racing. Course length will be a 5K (3.1 miles) where new and experienced runners will enjoy the friendly, grassroots atmosphere of this fun course around Maple Street Park and adjoining property. We will have great raffle prizes each race and an awards ceremony at the last race. Register for all 4 races by April 18 and guarantee yourself a MSP Race Series T-shirt.

TIME Registration opens at 5:00 PM. Race starts at 6:00 PM.

PLACE Start line is located at Maple Street Park, 75 Maple Street, Essex Junction

FEE Pre-register: $30 for all 4-races or $10 for each individual race.

Date Fee Code

All 4-Races $30 33068A

Wednesday May 2 $10 33068B

Wednesday May 9 $10 33068C

Wednesday May 16 $10 33068D

Wednesday May 23 $10 33068E

Essex Egg and Scavenger Hunt

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:15:42 +0000

(Co-produced by Essex Junction Recreation and Parks and Essex Parks and Recreation)

Bring your basket or bag to search for and collect eggs and treats! Celebrate the first taste of spring with your neighbors from Essex Junction and Essex Town. Dress appropriately for the weather.

AGE Toddler/Preschool-Grade 4

DATE Saturday, March 31

TIME Egg Hunt begins at 10 AM sharp

PLACE Maple Street Park

NOTE 10 egg limit per child

FEE Please help us in providing food to the local food pantry and bring a non-perishable food item. No pre-registration required.

Summer 2012 Camp & Swim Brochure Now Available

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:44:48 +0000

Highlights

- Check out the new swim lesson curriculum developed by Annie Cooper! Use the Swim Lesson Groups table to determine the appropriate lesson for your child, then select from more than 150 lessons being offered this summer!

- The Maple Street Swim Team is a new addition this year, providing opportunites to train with Annie up to five mornings a week. The Maple Street Swim Club and Early Morning Masters/Tri-Swim return this summer.

- Teaching Swimming 101 and Lifeguarding 101 return this summer for those entering grades 8-10.

- Stop Motion Animation and Movie Making are great new additions to The Arts programs this summer.

- Action Sports camps are back, including Mountain Bike Camp, Skate Camp, and BMX/Freestyle Mountian Bike Camp.

- Young Hornets Sports Camps include Basketball, Football, Field Hockey, Baseball and Rugby.

- All-Star Skills Camp and Jr. All-Stars (cheer, dance, tumbling) are new addions to our Recreational Sports Camps.

Registration is open to residents now! Non-Resident registration begins 8am on April 2. Copies of the brochure should arrive in homes sometime next week. Online registration requires a username and password. If you have done programs with us before and do not remember your, click here to have your username and password emailed to you. Feel free to call 878-1375 or email recreation@ccsuvt.org with any questions.

https://register.ejrp.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/wbsa0115.html?wbsi=d3f98205-d1b5-c7bc-e111-3f6d93e67c92

Camp Maple Street Registration

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 21:05:58 +0000

Registration for Camp Maple Street has been tremendous, and as of Friday, March 9^th , there is only limited space available. Session B still has openings and session D has one opening. We encourage any families who are interested in attending camp to register for those few spots ASAP and to be put on the wait list for any other sessions that are desired but are currently full. The best way to be added to the wait list is to register on line at no cost. Non-resident registration starts Monday, March 12th at 8AM.

Video: Essex Has Talent 2012

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:52:02 +0000

We've got the full-length Essex Has Talent 2012 video for those who missed it or who want to watch their favorite performances and share them with their friends. Visit the EJRP YouTube Channel for video from Essex Has Talent 2011 and other great videos!

Essex Has Talent Show

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:23:01 +0000

Essex Junction Recreation and Parks (EJRP) and the Essex High School Red Cross Club are proud to present the 3rd Annual Essex Has Talent competition, a showcase of community amateur performers, on Saturday, February 11^th, at 7:00p.m. At the Essex High School auditorium. The show will feature youth, high school, and adult community members displaying their unique talents for a good cause. Admission to the show is $5.00 or $4.00 if you can bring a canned good to be donated to the local food shelf, Heavenly Pantry. All monies raised from the show will be donated to local charities.

This event will be hosted by Mary Cenci from Star 92.9 and will feature special guest judges Silvio Mazella Manager of Dunkin Donuts, Jennifer Fox from Star 92.9, Slater from The Planet 96.7, and EHS faculty Robert Reardon, and Jennifer McKenzie. Essex Has Talent is sponsored by Star 92.9, Planet 96.7and Key Bank. Prizes are provided from Key bank, Essex Cinemas, Lake Champlain Chocolates, and Dunkin Donuts. For more information call Essex Junction Recreation and Parks at 878-1375.

From the Director: I Gotta Feeling...

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:01:10 +0000

I Gotta Feeling...

It doesn’t sound as good when I say it compared to the Black Eyed Peas, but you get the gist. I gotta feeling that this place, this community, is alive and well. It’s easy to stay with the status quo and to avoid change. Sometimes we get content with the way things are and sit back and coast through. It’s not that this is bad; sometimes taking a break is a healthy thing. But, striving for excellence, for better, for continuous improvement – that’s admirable. It’s courageous.

At EJRP we added a high school rec soccer league this fall. It was the brainchild of an EHS senior – Reece Tanguay, and served more than 50 high schoolers. Over 500 community members attended the first annual Pumpkin Fest at Maple Street Park on a nice fall Saturday. Meanwhile, the ground was tilled and cover crops were planted on 40 new community garden plots for next spring at the West Street Community Gardens. In this brochure you’ll see that for the first time we are offering winter swim lessons and proudly opening a new community fitness studio – Aspire.

Throughout the greater community there are citizens hard at work on building a Bike Park and soon a Dog Park. The Heart & Soul of Essex community group aspires for a better Essex, one that develops with the input and guidance of the people. Truly a novel idea. Citizens are meeting to enhance participation and interest in the Village Annual Meeting. And, our local government has a proposal that is gaining traction that would seriously alter traffic patterns at the 5 Corners.

Our youth are no slouches either. Just recently they held a sit-in to promote diversity and tolerance, and won an MTV Above the Influence contest. Our kids were one of four selected from 400 communities across the country to host an unwasted weekend, celebrating making substance free choices. The proceeds from the weekend will go to Unified Sports, supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities.

So you can see why “I Gotta Feeling.” There’s an energy about this community lately, and it’s contagious. I’m fortunate to live and work with so many dedicated, hard working, caring people. People who aren’t afraid to step outside of the box, and do so not just to say they stepped outside of the box, but because they truly see a better, brighter, more efficient, more effective, more inclusive way.

Yours Truly in Recreation,

Brad Luck, Director

Thank You AFROTC

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:42:07 +0000

The Essex High School AFROTC has been hard at work this week raking leaves at Maple Street Park. Thank you for your service to the community! To see more photos click "read more" below.

EJRP Friends of Recreation Recognized

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:04:14 +0000

Last week, at the 68th Annual Vermont Governor's Conference on Recreation, two Essex residents were recognized with the 2011 Brungardt Friends of Recreation Award. Wendy Johnson and Bridget Meyer were selected by the Vermont Parks and Recreation Association for their contributions to Essex Junction Recreation and Parks (EJRP) and the greater community over the past ten years.

Wendy Johnson has been a member of the EJRP Advisory Council for twelve years, where she has served as the secretary. Bridget Meyer has been a member of the EJRP Advisory Council since 2001, serving as Chair since 2008.

[read more about Bridget & Wendy]

At the awards presentation, Wendy and Bridget were recognized for their beliefs in: making a difference, public recreation, doing the right thing, and engaging the community in efforts and decisions. The Essex Junction Recreation and Parks vision statement is "We Create Community through People, Parks, and Programs." It was these words that rang true in Johnson and Meyer's nomination, which stated: "Together, subconsciously, Wendy and Bridget are "creating community" in Essex Junction. It is a fact that without these two special women the Village recreation department and community would not be what they are today."