Parks & Recreation

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Kristine Vincent, CPRP: Director of Recreation and Leisure Services

Daphne Shinder: Recreation Supervisor

Terri Ziemnicki: Program Supervisor

Office Hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Salmon Brook Park; open 24/7 at GranbyRec.com

Telephone: 860-653-8947

Website: GranbyRec.com Register for all programs online.

Special Events

Holiday Photo Session: Dec. 1–15 at Holcomb Farm, with Leslie M Photography. The perfect opportunity for professional, high quality photos with 3–4 digital photos for only $45. Individual and family holiday photo sessions—pets are encouraged. Register online, these will fill very quickly.

Holiday Decorating Contest: Nov. 16–Dec. 14. Do you decorate your home or business every year? Why not enter the contest to get rewarded for your hard work and creativity? Join the Granby Recreation Department for our first decorating event to spread some holiday cheer throughout our town. This free event is for Granby residents only. Judging will be done by the Granby Recreation Commission and Recreation Staff in three categories:

• Griswold Award: Because you can never have too many lights!

• A Christmas Story Award: Best display that has an organized appearance or theme

• The Norman Rockwell Award: Best traditional display

The winner in each category will receive a $50 account credit towards any Granby Recreation program and bragging rights—plus your house or business will be featured on the Granby Facebook Page. Registration by Monday, Dec. 14. by 4 p.m. Judging will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 16 from 5–9 p.m. Please keep your lights on during this time.

Letters to Santa: through Dec. 4.Imagine the excitement in your house when your child receives a hand-written, personalized letter from Santa! Our team of elves are ready to help Santa spread some holiday cheer and good wishes. Each letter is sure to add some magic to the Christmas season and can set a worried mind at ease, as each reader learns that he or she is, indeed, on Santa’s “nice” list! 

After registering online, please print Santa’s Questionnaire (link available online) and assist (if needed) your child in the completion of the questionnaire, bring him/her to Salmon Brook Park and place it in Santa’s special mailbox. Leave the rest to the elves. Letters are mailed during the first part of December, to ensure delivery before Christmas Day. Fee: $5 

Youth and After School

JumpBunch Little Jumpers: for toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years. Thursdays, Jan. 7–Feb. 11,  3:45-4:15 p.m., at the Salmon Brook Park House. A great way to introduce sports and fitness to your child. Each week, the JumpBunch coach teaches lively and positive classes that help children build motor skills, coordination, balance and sports confidence. Classes include music, ribbon wands, bubbles, obstacle courses and a different sport or fitness activity every week. Visit JumpBunch.com to find out more about this popular program. Fee: $90

JumpBunch Big Jumpers: for ages 3–6. Tuesdays, Dec. 8–Jan. 12, 11:15 a.m.–12 p.m.; Thursdays, Jan. 7–Feb. 11, 4:30–5:15 p.m.; and Saturdays, Dec. 12–Jan. 23, 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m., at the Salmon Brook Park House. Each class includes warm-ups, floor exercises, the sport/activity of the week, stretching, and then a cool down. A different sport introduced each week. We strive to have little or no “sit and wait” time. Children will have the chance to touch and experience each sport with their own piece of equipment each class. Classes also include use of creatively scripted songs that include ribbon wands, stretch bands, rhythm sticks, maracas and scarves. Sports may include lacrosse, paddle sports, field hockey, t-ball, basketball, soccer, football, etc. 

Parents are welcome to stay during the program and will be in a separate area of the building. Only children that are registered for the program may participate. Please bring a mask for your child. Fee: $110

Outdoor Adventure and Games: Meets at the Salmon Brook Park House. Nature hike with outdoor adventure and games. Join us for a great time after school with fun activities, exploring and learning about nature. Come bundled up for cold weather, since time will be spent outdoors playing games and adventuring. Also, comfortable clothes for lots of activities like hiking, capture the flag, fort building, sports and maybe some Calvinball. This program is being led by Billy Langdon, Granby Recreation youth leader. Grades 3–5 meet Mondays, Nov. 30–Dec. 14, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Fee $45. Grades 6–8 meet Thursdays, Dec. 3–17, 3–4:30 p.m. Fee $65.

Outdoor Floor Hockey: Meets at the Salmon Book Park basketball court. Join well-known high school coach Terri Ziemnicki for an hour of fun outside playing floor hockey on the SBP basketball courts. Each week different teams will be formed and games will be played. All equipment will be provided. Participants should dress for the weather. Masks will be required to be worn while playing. Sneakers should also be worn. No experience is required. Come join the fun in the great outdoors and get some fresh air. Grades 3–5 meet Wednesdays, Dec. 2–16, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Fee $40. Grades 6–8 meets Tuesdays, Dec. 1–15, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Fee $40.

Modeling and Fashion Camp with Photo Shoot: Monday–Thursday, Dec. 28–31, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., at Holcomb Farm. Back by popular demand, this camp was a big hit last summer! John Casablanas Modeling and Fashion Camp provides girls and boys ages 5–11 years with a wonderful experience of learning the tips of looking like a model, developing their etiquette skills for a setting, feeling good about themselves by strengthening their confidence inside and out and tapping into their fashion talents. Fee $122. Program includes: Makeover Monday (hair and makeup application); T-shirt Design Tuesday (campers design and model their own t-shirts). Bring runway shoes; Photo Famous Wednesday (red carpet speaking exercises). Bring an extra outfit just in case it is needed; Fashion Show Thursday (photos with professional photographer). Campers will do their hair and makeup for their Fashion Show for the families to enjoy their accomplishments.

Adults Night Out

Welcome Snowman Paint Night with Paint Craze: Friday, Dec. 4, 7–9 p.m., at the Salmon Brook Park House. Grab a friend or two and join us for a fun evening of canvas painting. Paint this cute welcoming snowman who will warm your heart. Perfect for a gift or a personalized welcome sign. Everything you need will be supplied including a 12” x 24” canvas. Feel free to bring food and beverages to enjoy while you paint. Fee $45. 

Create Holiday Centerpiece: Tuesday, Dec. 15, 7–8 p.m., at the Salmon Brook Park House. Create your very own Holiday Centerpiece to put on your dining room or living room coffee table this holiday season. It will brighten up your room and your guests will be in awe that you created such a masterpiece. Join us with professional florist Jessica from Long Stem Floral Shop in East Granby. The Do-It-Yourself project includes a candle, fresh winter greens, fresh flowers, and berries. We will also add a bow, pinecones or small ornaments. Everything you need will be provided for you. Please feel free to bring your own snacks and beverages. Great night out to be creative and share some fun holiday time with friends. Fee $48.

Holiday Mixology Class:  Saturday, Dec. 12 or Wednesday, Dec. 16, 7–9 p.m., at the Holcomb Farm North Barn Pavilion. Spend the evening learning how to make three seasonal cocktails with Meg, one of the Zen Restaurant Group’s fantastic mixologists. This is a hands-on experience, teaching the secrets of shaking your own cocktails like a pro. Your mixologist will guide you through making these special drinks—teaching you how to muddle, mix and shake your drinks to perfection. There will be one appetizer that pairs with the cocktails of the evening. All participants will leave the event with the recipes to their three seasonal cocktails. Do not miss out on this amazing class. Offered on two nights for your convenience, same cocktails will be made both nights. Fee $45.

Yin Yoga and Aromotherapy Class: Friday, Dec. 11, 6–7:30 p.m., at the Salmon Brook Park House. This holiday season slow your flow with this 90-minute sequence of yin yoga postures (deep stretches held for 3–5 minutes) and aromatherapy (Wisdom of the Earth therapeutic grade essences). Join us as we prepare our minds and bodies for the colder, shorter days ahead by combining the slower, deeper aspects of yin yoga with the healing properties of the pure therapeutic grade essences used in aromatherapy, this practice helps to restore balance within the energy systems of the body, leaving you feeling relaxed, renewed and ready to face whatever life is offering you. This practice will bring peace and healing on so many levels. Wear comfortable clothing, and please bring your yoga mat, one or two blankets and any blocks or bolsters that you might have to support the body in the various shapes. Space is limited. The practice will be led by Laura Fetzer. Fee $25 per person.

Gentle Yoga: A yoga practice at the Salmon Brook Park House, appropriate for all levels of experience. An outdoor morning yoga experience incorporating breath, balance, flexibility, focus and fun. Rachel Little will lead the group through movements and yoga postures both standing and down on the mat that build strength, balance and mobility, while encouraging relaxation and release. Modifications offered to accommodate common injuries and limitations. Please bring a yoga mat, blanket/towel and water. Optional items: yoga blocks, strap.Wednesdays, Dec. 2, 9 and 16, 6–7 p.m.; or, Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19, 10–11 a.m. Fee $15 per class, drop-in.

Plan your Party or Special Event with Granby Rec

Have your next family or other private event at Salmon Brook Park or the Holcomb Farm. The Salmon Brook Park House is a beautiful facility that can accommodate up to 99 people, featuring a gas fireplace for the winter months and central air for the summer. Make an appointment today to get a tour and see if it is the right fit for your next event. 

The North Barn Pavilion at Holcomb Farm is built to look like a barn, but this gorgeous building has all of the modern amenities to make your event for up to 125 people a day to remember. Dates fill fast. Call us to get more information or visit us at GranbyRec.com to see pictures and rental info.