Recreation

RECREATION

New Canaan offers an abundance of year-round recreation activities: 14 town tennis courts at Mead Park, a town pool at Waveny Park, two ponds for skating (Mead and Millpond), playgrounds at Kiwanis Park, Dixon Park and Mead Park, picnic areas for public use, and a town-sponsored recreation program, offering youth and adult athletic leagues. Mead Memorial Park has baseball fields, a pond for ice-skating and tennis courts. Kiwanis Park has a town public pond with a beach. There is a private golf course and a community YMCA.

Boy Scouts Troop 31 -
http://www.newcanaan31.mytroop.us/front_page
Troop 31 was formed in 1997 and has a current active participation of approximately 35 young men. We have had many Scouts earn their Eagle rank. Our Troop's Scouts have hiked the Appalachian Trail, backpacked at the Boy Scout of America's Philmont reservation in New Mexico, and attended the BSA's National Jamboree in Virginia.

Cub Scouts and Brownies (provided by the New Canaan Nature Center 203-203.966.9577
http://www.newcanaannature.org/groups/scouts.php4#boy From wildlife investigations to field ecology and astronomy, the New Canaan Nature Center offers more than 50 interactive programs designed to help girl and boy scouts fulfill requirements needed to complete badges and other advancements. With 40 acres of natural habitats and a live animal collection of birds of prey, reptiles and mammals, the Nature Center provides scouts with hands-on discovery, explorations and activities.

Country Club of New Canaan
203.966.3513 www.ccofnewcanaan.org/ is at 95 Country Club Road. To join, you must be sponsored by a current member. The club offers an 18-hole golf course, swimming pool, paddle courts, squash court, tennis courts and a full-service dining room.

New Canaan Field Club
203.966.6879 www.leagueathletics.com is at 164 Smith Ridge Road. To join, you must be a New Canaan resident and be sponsored by two members. The club offers four lighted platform tennis courts, 10 Har-Tru tennis courts, a swimming pool and wading pool, playground, and three pavilions.

The Lake Club
203.762.5600 www.lakeclubinc.com is on Thayer Pond Road on the New Canaan-Wilton border. Facilities include a swimming pool, 10 tennis courts, five paddle tennis courts, boating, canoeing, fishing, basketball courts and a playground.

New Canaan Baseball/Softball offers baseball and softball opportunities to boys and girls from second grade to 13 years of age. For information, call Jim Mase at 203.273.5707 or e-mail jimmase@aol.com. The club's Web site is www.newcanaanbbsb.com.

Fairfield County Football League offers tackle and cheerleading programs for boys and girls grades 3 through 8 in New Canaan. For information, visit online www.fairfieldcountyfootball.org or call Laura Budd at 203.966.3515/buddsct@optonline.net.

Kiwanis Park - This park includes a large pond with sandy beach for swimming and sunbathing. Many camps come here during the summer months. There is a playground, a snack bar, restrooms and a picnic area.

Ed Dixon Memorial Park - This small park is located on Hoyt Street and contains a playground.

Irwin Park - This 36-acre park features a new 3/4 mile multi-purpose trail for walking, running and biking. There are baseball fields in spring. There is an apple orchard in the front lawn. The newly restored Gores Pavilion is located here. The New Canaan Building, Health, Inland/Wetland and Planning & Zoning Departments are located in the main red brick building.

Mead Park - This 24-acre park has four baseball fields, a pond for skating in the winter, a batting cage, horseshoe pits, a playground and 8 clay tennis courts, two lighted for night play. Mead Park Lodge contains handicap-accessible bathrooms, a full-service snack bar and picnic tables.

Mill Park - This park contains walking trails and a large pond for fishing and skating. The pond is lighted for skating in winter and has recently been dredged.

Maritime Rowing Club is a masters program that also operates out of the SoNo Wharf, opposite the Maritime Center. The coaching staff is the same as at New Canaan Crew. It has programs for experienced rowers as well as learn-to-row programs for beginning adult. There are competitive and recreational programs. The boathouse includes a fully equipped fitness center and is open year round. Applications and more information may be found at maritimerowing.com. You may also call 854-5492 or e-mail mcrowing@aol.com.

New Canaan Crew is a club sport at the high school with about 90 boys and girls who row at the SoNo Wharf in Norwalk and is home to New Canaan High School crew, Saxe Middle School crew, and St. Luke's crew. There are spring and fall competitive seasons and a winter workout season. For information, call Hank Ellett at 203.966.7540 or e-mail hellett@aol.com. Visit online at www.newcanaancrew.com.

Norwalk River Rowing Association (866-0080) offers instructional, recreational, and competitive programs for youths and adults. Visit www.norwalkriverrowing.org.

New Canaan Town Pool - This 50-meter pool has lap lanes and a diving well. There is also a kiddy pool, dressing rooms, showers, lifeguards and a full service snack bar. Swimming lessons are offered. Photo ID passes for residents are required and are available for sale at the Recreation Department Office, 203.594.3600.

New Canaan Soccer Association has travel teams that are open to children ages 8-13 and into high school. There are also skills training programs for under 8 and older players not on a travel team. For information, visit online at www.newcanaansoccer.org. For registration questions e-mail Michaela Valente at mvsixpack@aol.com.

New Canaan Flag Football League is offered for boys in two divisions, ages 9 to11 and 12 to 14. Coordinator is Phil Davis. Call 203.972.7722 or e-mail pdavis@domcamermedia.com.or visit www.ncffl.info/ .

New Canaan Lacrosse Association kicks off its yearly programs in late winter for boys and girls in first through eighth grade. A fall ball program, which stresses training and development, begins in September. For information, call Jenkins Marshall at 203.972.6948 or visit www.nclax.org. The association hotline is 203.352.3265.

New Canaan Basketball Association offers league play and instruction to aspiring hoopsters. Travel teams, open to boys and girls in fifth through eighth grade, compete against squads from all over Fairfield County. Instructional clinics take place throughout the season and during holiday breaks. For information, call Kathy Mannelly at 203.966.6275 or visit online at www.ncbahoops.org.

New Canaan Mounted Troop on Carter Street, is a non-profit organization devoted to building leadership, responsibility, and confidence through sound horsemanship. It is the last unit of the Junior Cavalry of America. The Horsemanship Program offers extensive instruction for every rider's ability, beginner to advanced, children through adults, along with instruction in stable management, safety, and horse care. Call 203.966.0634 for more information or visit online at www.newcanaanmountedtroop.org.

New Canaan Winter Club 203.966.4280 www.ncwinterclub.com on Frogtown Road has an NHL regulation size rink and a clubhouse. The private club offers family activities as well as hockey and figure skating. Lessons are available. There is also outdoor skating next door on Hardon Pond. The Winter Club is home to many local ice hockey teams and figure skaters from youth to adult level.

New Canaan Travel Field Hockey is open to seventh and eighth grade girls. For information, call 203.972.8668 or visit online at www.fcfha.com.

New Canaan Wrestling Club holds practices for students in grades 5-8 from December to March. There are matches with other towns and some weekend tournaments. For information, call Randy Meadows at 801-0083, or visit their Web site at www.newcanaanwrestling.com.

Sound Cyclists runs group rides throughout Fairfield County year round. There are social events, a newsletter, and members are entitled to discounts at more than a dozen area bicycle shops. For information, visit www.soundcyclists.com.

Spencer's Run - This 1.5-acre dog park located just inside the Lapham Road entrance to Waveny Park allows dogs to run off-leash and play with other dogs. All dogs must wear a town dog license and a current rabies tag. This is the only town park that allows dogs to run unleashed.

Waveny Park - This 250-acre park is open 8:30-4:30 daily and includes baseball and softball and soccer fields, paddle tennis courts, picnic areas, 3.5 miles of cross country trails and the New Canaan Town Pool. Waveny Castle is available for rent to local residents and non-profit organizations for meetings and other events like weddings. 203.594.3600

New Canaan YMCA - 203.966.4528 has two indoor swimming pools, a full health club, several gyms and offers many instructional programs and competitive teams. Visit online at www.newcanaanymca.org/.

New Canaan's Pool at Waveny Park