By Katie Bisaro
Last year the popular Village of Warwick Summer Recreation Program could not take place due to the ongoing Covid-19 health situation. This year, however, Parks and Recreation Director Ron Introini is forging ahead with plans for this summer, albeit modified for health and safety protocols. Introini, a high school physical education teacher, has been running the summer program for 15 years. He met with Mayor Michael Newhard, Trustee Bill Lindberg and Village Clerk Raina Abramson to iron out the details.
At the Mon., Mar. 1 meeting of the Village Board of Trustees, Introini presented his plan for the Summer Recreation Program. According to his plan, the five-week lineup of nine programs will start on Mon., June 28 and will run through Fri., July 30. The entire program consists of day camp, track, swimming, tennis, flag football, soccer, cheerleading, lacrosse and basketball, all for ages five to 12. All sessions take place outside except swimming.
There are nine recreational directors, all certified teachers, who are in charge of each of the specific programs. All are well-versed in the current safety protocols with regards to the ongoing pandemic health situation and each session will include cleaning procedures at both the beginning and end.
Daily Safety Plan
The safety plan includes a daily Covid-19 screening form to be filled out and temperature checks for each child and staff member. Strict attendance will be taken for contact tracing purposes.
“Our number one concern is always the safety of the children and staff, that’s definitely our number one priority,” Introini stated.
Stanley-Deming Day Camp Program
Introini concentrated his presentation to the Board on the largest program of the nine, the day camp that takes place at Stanley-Deming Park on South St. in the Village of Warwick.
He is proposing opening the program to 150 children, which is fewer than previous years, grouped 10 to 15 children per two counselors. The groups will rotate through the day with a schedule of activities that are age appropriate to the group. Masks will be required.
Introini recommended that there be only one entrance into the park, where temperature checks will be done, and paperwork collected. The restrooms will be monitored for capacity and the water fountains would be turned off. Campers will be spaced out for lunch.
Registration for all programs will be online and the Remind App will be used to notify parents and guardians of closures and cancellations.
The Mayor and Trustees praised Introini’s plan and asked if the program would require additional funding. Introini explained that they did have supplies from last year’s cancelled program that weren’t used and was hoping to put this year’s supply funds towards safety protocol needs. He also reported that all program directors and counselors will be trained and well prepared prior to the start of the program.
Park Closure During Camp Hours Recommended
Finally, Introini recommended closing Stanley-Deming Park to the public during the hours that the program is taking place with a half hour added on each end for set-up and cleaning: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. In this way, there will be less people for social distancing purposes as well as making it easier to follow sanitizing and safety protocols.
Mayor Newhard noted that closing the parking during camp hours may be necessary “for the greater good of our program” and that it was only for the period of time during which the camp is taking place – the public will be able to use the park when the camp has concluded for the day and on weekends. Trustee McManus suggested consulting the Village Attorney regarding the park closure issue.
“I’m hoping the public will understand…but I do believe that is a very important piece that’s necessary to create a safe environment for the program,” Newhard stated.
Photo: Summer Rec
Dispatch photo file/Lourice Angie
Shown in the photo are children playing in Stanley-Deming Park last year.
