Happy Holidays! Read on for upcoming projects, events and programs with the Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department
South American Great Black Hawk in Deering Oaks Park Many of you have probably seen the Great Black Hawk in Deering Oaks Park, feasting on local squirrels and other prey. The hawk was spotted in Texas in the spring, and then a couple times on the Maine coast this summer, and now seems to have settled in Deering Oaks for the past few weeks. It is very rare to see these birds of prey north of their range in Central and South America, and no one is quite sure how or why the bird is so far from home, so birders from around the region have been flocking to see him here. We ask that the public view him respectfully, giving at least 200 feet of distance so as to not disturb him -- if the bird is looking at you, you're too close. As temperatures drop, should you see the bird in distress, please call either of these numbers: Portland City Parks Ranger: 207-712-0287; Avian Haven, Wild Bird Rescue & Rehab: 207-382-6761. Learn more about the Great Black Hawk here.
A Gift from Parks, Recreation & Facilities Sing! will be shown for FREE on the big screen at Merrill! Friday, December 28th, 4:00pm @ Merrill Auditorium
Tickets for this FREE event are available at our administrative offices, located at 212 Canco Rd, starting on Monday, December 3rd (hours are 8:00am-4:30pm). About The Movie Sing! is set in a world like ours but entirely inhabited by animals, Buster Moon, a dapper koala who presides over a once-grand theater that has fallen on hard times. Buster is an eternal—some might even say delusional—optimist who loves his theater above all and will do anything to preserve it. Now faced with the crumbling of his life’s ambition, he has one final chance to restore his fading jewel to its former glory by producing the world’s greatest singing competition. We look forward to having you as a guest at our theater!
Winter Learn to Curl Sessions
Ever watched Olympic curling and wanted to learn how to play? Pine Tree Curling Club is offering "Learn to Curl" sessions at Troubh Ice Arena! Pine Tree provides all the equipment necessary to curl which includes curling rocks/stones, brooms/sliders and grippers/stabilizers. When:Saturdays—March 16th, 30th, April 6th & 13th @ 4:30-6:30pm Where: Troubh Ice Arena, 225 Park Ave., Portland Fee: $25 for a 2-hr session What to bring: An additional pair of sneakers/shoes to use while on the ice and water to stay hydrated.
Contact Pine Tree Curling Club for more information: W: pinetreecurlingclub.com E: pinetreecurlingclub@gmail.com
Looking for something fun and inexpensive to do with the kiddos during school break? Come to the Riverton Pool from Wed, December 26th to Fri, December 28th, 1:15-3:00pm for open swim! Only $1 for Youth Residents, $2 for Youth Non-Res, and $4 for Adult Res, $4.50 Adult Non-res.
Pool Closures Riverton & Reiche Pools will be closed December 23rd to December 25th for the Christmas Holiday & Saturday, December 29th, Sunday the 30th, Monday the 31st (after 1pm) and Tuesday, January 1st for the New Year's holiday.
The Junior Naturalist: Naturalist at Play There are still a few spots for your child to get out and explore the great outdoors this winter at the Riverside Golf Course with Portland Recreation! The Junior Naturalist: Naturalist at Play program starts January 13th and runs for five consecutive Sundays from 1-3 pm. Come join the fun this winter — we will embark on snowshoe and sledding adventures as well as explore the wonders of the season through hands-on nature-based activities. For more information and to sign up, visit: portlandrec.com or come to our main office at 212 Canco Road.
Check out this commercial starring our very own Andy Downs, Director of Public Assembly Facilities. This ad, promoting our Merrill Auditorium, Portland Expo, Ocean Gateway, City Hall and Hadlock Field, will be shown soon in multiple spots on WSCH6! Interested in renting a venue? Contact us for more information.
Intro to Dance at Reiche Drouin Dance Center instructors will teach students the fundamentals and basics of various styles of dance, including jazz, tap and acrobatic dance through exercises and progressions. Flexibility and strength exercises will be incorporated into the classes, along with choreography. Students should wear comfortable clothing and have bare feet, or wear ballet or jazz shoes if desired, along with a pair of tap/dress shoes.
Dates: Winter Session: Tuesdays—Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29 Feb. 5, 12, 26, March 5, 12, 19 Time: 3:30-4:15 pm Location: Reiche Community Center Ages: 5-10 Years old Fee: $65 Non-resident: $75
Hip Hop/Acrobatics Dance Class at Reiche This class will be broken up into two styles of dance, hip hop and acrobatics. Dancers will begin with hip hop, a warm up for the body and explore different hip hop concepts, styles and movement. Students will also be taught hip hop choreography. During the second half of class, dancers will learn acrobatics skills, such as mat exercises, balance and strengthening skills, and basic tumbling.
Winter Session: Tuesdays—Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12, 26, March 5, 12, 19 Time: 4:20-5:05 pm Ages: 6-10 years old Location: Reiche Community Center Fee: $65 Non-resident: $75
FMI: 207.808.5400 or contact Jon Call at 207.874.8873; jcall@portlandmaine.gov
Ice Skating Season Is Here! The cold nights and days have meant that our local ponds and outdoor skating rinks are freezing up and plenty of folks have been out enjoying them. Get your skates sharpened and head out to our maintained skating ponds at Nasons Corner, Payson Park, Deering Oaks, Ludlow Pond, or Riverside Golf Course for winter fun! Check out our Skating Map for live updates on ice conditions.
February Vacation Theater Camp Portland Ovations Offstage and Portland Parks, Recreation & Facilities have partnered to provide an opportunity for your child to perform on stage! Your childwill enjoy a full day of theater camp, with games, activities and rehearsals designed to highlight their inner performer. Camp will culminate with a performance of “Jumping Jacks and the Beanstalk” an imaginative retelling of life beyond the traditional tale of “Jack & the Beanstalk”, on Friday, February 22nd at 6:00pm—family and friends are welcome to attend. Dates: February 18-22, 2019 Time: 8:30am-3:30pm Ages: Grades 3-7 Location: East End Community Center Fee: $175 (includes 2 tix to final performance) Deadline: February 18th FMI:Contact Pete Gerard at 207.773.8222 or ptg@portlandmaine.gov
Winter ISI Skating & Hockey Skills Lessons
Lessons for Tots, Youth, Adults & Seniors, from beginners to experienced skaters.
Session starts the first week in January, registration open now.
Fees
$3.00 – Up to 17 years old / 60+ years old / Veterans
$5.00 – 18-59 years old
$2.00 – Skate Rentals
Pick-Up Hockey Hours
Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays: 1:30-2:30 pm
$5.00 – 18+ years old
Curling & Brews
Start your Brew Bus tour at Troubh! One Friday a month, the bus starts at Troubh where folks learn how to curl before they head out on their brewery tour. For more information, visit the Maine Brew Bus website.
Birthdays/Special Events
Planning a group event of birthday celebration and wondering what to do? Try something different and plan a skating party!
FMI: vla@portlandmaine.gov/207.774.8553
'TIS THE SEASON TO GIVE AT RIVERSIDE GOLF & GRILL!
Purchase a Gift Card of $100 or More and Receive: ~ Free Golf Voucher Valid for 18 Holes Walking (cart not included, cart charged at non-member rate, valid for 2019 season)
~ Free $10 Gift Card to Riverside Grill
Purchase your gift card at 1158 Riverside St. inside the Riverside Pro Shop or at the Grill. For more information: 207.797.3524, rls@portlandmaine.gov
Pro Shop Hours: M-F 11am-4pm (closed Sat & Sun) Riverside Grill Hours: M-Tu closed, W-Th 11:30am-8pm, Fri 11:30am-9pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 9am-2pm
Jobs with Parks, Recreation & Facilities Throughout the year, we have many open positions within the Department:check current openings.
Happy New Year!
Your Parks, Recreation & Facilities Team
