A Message From the Director ~As 2016 draws to a close, the Recreation Department is very proud of all the goals that have been accomplished, and is looking forward to what is in store for the year ahead. Closing out the year we have added social media pages, our first newsletter, and beginning our paperless initiative. All of these accomplishments are commendable, however we have not forgotten our main goal - Enriching the lives of our residents. In 2017 we plan to continue our forward thinking initiatives in order to expand the level of involvement in both our parks and recreation programs, as well as taking steps to build a healthier community. Our aim is to create community programs that promote positive childhood experiences for our younger residents, as well as serving our over 55 community with social, recreational, active and healthy opportunities. Thank you for making 2016 a memorable year! Join us in 2017 for more fantastic recreation programs!

- Gary Buchheister

One of the Recreation Department’s major accomplishments in 2016 was the completion of the Brian Beutel Court at the Community Center. The court is dedicated to Lt. Brian Beutel, a Westwood resident, volunteer coordinator of Westwood’s adult basketball league, and basketball enthusiast, who collapsed during a charity basketball game in 2015.

In addition to the new amazing flooring, the gym features new scoreboards and new LED lighting. Rental fees, from usage of the gym, funded the new flooring as well as the LED lights. Generous donations from the Sgt. Chrisopher Hrbek Scholarship Fund and Riverside Oral Surgery, made the new scoreboards possible.

Our NewGym Floor!!!

Westwood Rec Goes Social!Like us on Facebook!

Follow us on Twitter @westwoodnjrec

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Registration begins on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 for residents, Monday, January 9, 2017 for non-residents. Registration is first come, first serve either online or at the Recreation Department.

Recreation Programs that build on the individual’s “ABILITIES” not disabilities. SNAP is designed to promote independence and improve the quality of life through recreation and leisure. Click here for more info.

SNAP2016-2017

SPECIAL NEEDSACTIVITY PROGRAM

THE REC REPORTDECEMBER 2016 ISSUE 1

WESTWOOD RECREATION’S QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

Westwood Recreation Pre-School

“Nourish minds of the Pre-School with creative learning activities and build a

solid foundation for learning”• • •

Westwood Recreation has an amazing Pre-School program open to 3-5 year old children. The mission of this program is to provide a caring and nurturing environment where children can learn and develop through chronologically and developmentally appropriate activities. The Westwood Recreation Pre-School is licensed by the State of New Jersey, and meets all of their requirements.

Objectives of the Pre-School program include:

Providing opportunities for sharing. Introducing science awareness.To develop self-help skills.To develop gross & fine motor skills.To develop music appreciation.To develop an understanding of time.Developing the ability to recognize

and identify colors, shapes, numbers and letters.

The program is open to Westwood children between the ages of three and five as of October 1, 2017. All children enrolled in the program must be potty trained. Proof of residency and birth certificates are required for registration. Classes are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. The 4-5 year old class is 9am-12pm, and the 3 year old class is

12:30pm-2:30pm. The Pre-School is located the Westwood Community Center at 55 Jefferson Avenue.Registration for the 2016-2017 school year will be Tuesday, April 25th starting at 9am. Director Natalie Boes, and her qualified staff, look forward to meeting your children in the new school year! For more information click here.

WINTER 2017: REC PROGRAMS FOR PRE-K AGES

Abrakadoodle Art Children will use watercolors and paints to design intricate creations and abstract paintings.See program flyer for more details.

Happy PianoChildren will gain success through enhanced brain development to last a lifetime, and have fun while doing it! See program flyer for more details.

Ballet/Tap 1Piano LessonsSports Squirts Soccer Squirts Basketball SquirtsAbrakadoodle Art Mommy/Daddy & MeFor toddlers 18-36 months

PRE-SCHOOL

What do these three kids have in common? Aside from being siblings, they are all graduates of the Westwood Recreation Pre-school! Pictured with Recreation Director, Gary Buchheister.

The Pre-school Playhouse is just one of the fun things children enjoy during their school day.

The New Game In Town - PICKLEBALL!!!

WESTVALE

PARK FACTSBeautiful 30 Acre Park

2 Multi-Purpose Fields with Lights

1 Official size baseball field w/ lights

1 Official size softball field with lights

1 Little League field with lights

1 Jr. Softball field with lights

Dog park w/ small & large dog areas

Playground for ages 2-12 - wheel chair accessible

6 picnic tables

Bathroom facilities open 7 days/week

Walking/Bicycle Path (.6 mile) with a connection to Bergen County’s Pascack Brook Park.

PICKLEBALL - A FUN SPORTS CRAZE DESIGNED TO BE EASY TO LEARN AND PLAY FOR EVERY AGE!Pickleball, a paddle sport that blends the elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, is gaining popularity at the Westwood Community Center. Like tennis, it can be played as doubles or singles. The

Pickleball court is about a third of the size of a basketball court, making it easy for players of all ages. The rules are simple, and the fun is nonstop! Pickleball is easy to learn and offers all the health benefits of aerobic and anaerobic exercise with an added bonus of socialization and fun competition. Westwood Recreation now offers Pickleball, to our over 55 community, on Thursdays from 12:15-3pm, at the Community Center. From beginner to expert, everyone is welcome. Players are encouraged to wear comfortable athletic clothing, and comfortable court shoes. All equipment is provided. For more information, or to sign up, contact the Westwood Recreation Department at recreation@westwoodnj.gov or call 201-664-7882.

Westwood ParksHave you visited all of them?

Brookside Park Gritman Park Hegeman Park Jake Voorhis Park McKinley Park Meadowbrook ParkVeteran’s Memorial ParkWestwood Train StationWestvale Park

NUMBERSApproximate number of Pickleball courts in the

U.S.

15,000Pickleball participants in

the U.S.

2.5million

The year Pickleball was invented

1965

2016 ACCOMPLISHMENTSWe have so many things to be proud of this year, including achieving some major goals. From the new basketball gym floor, LED lights, and scoreboards, the new water fountain at Jake Voorhis Park, to the renovated tennis courts at McKinley Park scheduled for April 2017, the Westwood Recreation Department takes pride in all it has done for the community. The Westwood Recreation Department strives to improve existing parks and facilities while seeking opportunities for future development. We hope these advancements will enhance the health and wellness of our community, and provide opportunities for relaxation, learning, socialization, and to promote personal growth and well being. Thank you for your support!

NEW PROGRAMSThere are three new programs in our Winter 2017 lineup! First is our Hydraulic Robotic Arm class. Participants will experience the world of robotics by building and taking home their very own Hydraulic Arm! This is a 10 week class open to children in grades 4-8.Next we have Ping Pong! This fun game sharpens mental skills, concentration, and focus. Ping Pong invigorates brain functionality and moves every muscle of a child’s developing body. This 8 week class is open to children in grades 1-8.Lastly, we have Basketball Squirts! This 7 week program is designed to introduce children ages 4-5 to the sport of basketball. Players will develop motor skills and basic technique in passing, dribbling, and shooting.For more information on these, and all of our programs click here.

SENIOR FITNESSAmong the many programs for our over 55 community, Westwood Recreation offers Forever Young Cardio classes on Fridays at 1pm, and Senior Yoga classes on Thursday at 10:45am. Get fit, stay healthy, and have fun! Stop by and check out these amazing programs! Senior fitness is free to Westwood residents.

Closing Notes....

Teen CenterThe Teen Center is available to all Westwood and Twp. of Washington residents in Grades 6-9 at no cost. S t a f f a n d a d u l t vo l u n t e e r s coordinate weekly activities and special events on Friday nights from 7 : 3 0 - 1 0 p m i n a f u n s a f e environment. Basketball, volleyball, ping-pong, billiards, foosball, and air hockey are just some of the activists offered. Students can also play X-Box on a big screen TV or Dance Revolution. Every moth we offer food such as pizza or heroes. Parents must fill out a registration f o r m a t t h e R e c r e a t i o n Department, on any Friday night or online. Refreshments are available throughout the evening at a nominal fee.

FROM THE EDITORDo you have a story you would like to share? Maybe it’s about an amazing recreation class, or recreation sport moment. Share your positive experiences with us, and your story may be featured in the next Rec Report.

Want more? Looking to see other items featured in the Rec Report? Send us your ideas and questions. We will do our best to include as much as we can. Contact us at jmurphy@westwoodnj.gov

We hope you enjoyed the first issue!

Did You Know?

Westwood Recreation wants every child to participate! Scholarships and Discounts are available for most of our programs and are completely confidential. For more information please contact Gary Buchheister, Recreation Director, at 201-664-7882 or email him at gbuchheister@westwoodnj.gov

WESTWOOD RECREATION DEPT55 Jefferson AveWestwood, NJ 07675201-664-7882recreation@westwoodnj.gov

Gary BuchheisterRecreation Director

Margaret McDonough Administrative Assistant

THE REC REPORTISSUE No. 1

December 2016