Tennis lessons for youth to start Saturday at Nolan Athletic Complex in Ansonia

 

Shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page. 

Seymour Rec to hold Pick-Up Basketball on Fridays at community center

Shared from the Seymour Community Center Facebook page.

Salvation Army in Ansonia to hold 'Hero Hotline' Vacation Bible School

ANSONIA - The Salvation Army will hold its Vacation Bible School July 17-21 at Corps' headquarters, 26 Lester St. Hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Campers will enjoy an interactive, energizing, Bible-based good time.

To register for Hero Hotline VBS, call Capt. Cheryl McCollum at the church office, 203-736-0707, or visit easternusa.salvationarmy.org/southern-new-england/ansonia.

Cassetti reminds residents Abe Stone Park, Colony Pond in Ansonia are open

This is shared from a post today on the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

ANSONIA - With warmer weather upon us, a reminder from Mayor David S. Cassetti that Abe Stone Park and Colony Pond are open for fishing and boating (kayaks, canoes, row boats).

Boating requires a permit available at the Town Clerk’s office ($2 for 2 years), while fishing license is required for over 16 years of age. New to the pond this year will be catfish, being stocked in May by the DEEP.

Other park offerings that will soon be available include volleyball, soccer fields, full court basketball, marked hiking trails, children’s play scape, picnic grounds with grills, and on occasion the Colony Snack Shack.

Cassetti had many of the park’s amenities significantly upgraded in 2019 through corporate donations, his office said.

DEEP offers free fishing, gear, expert help in April, May throughout state

This is shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

"Fish with the DEEP Fisheries. April and May locations and dates listed. For additional information and special events, follow this link. 

"Also note the Ansonia date of 5/23/21 at Colony Pond."

City offers residents use of Linett Park in Ansonia for sledding today

"Take Advantage of Prime Sledding at Linett Park Today!

"With the ground covered in snow, sledding at Ansonia’s favorite Linett Park Winter Playground hill should be ideal for a great day of family recreation. We’ll have the fire pit lit to help keep you warm."

Shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Survey seeks info about public's experience on Derby Greenway, CT Trails

Shared from a post Saturday on the Derby Greenway Facebook page:

"Thanks for the great response to the CT Trails Census Survey by Derby Greenway users. We now have 74 completed surveys up from 15 at the beginning of the week. Keep them coming!"

City starts improvements at Abe Stone Park in Ansonia

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti posts trail markers at Abe Stone Park./ Contributed photo

ANSONIA - Things got under way at Abe Stone Park last weekend with a ceremonial first hiking trail marker placement by Mayor David S. Cassetti. 

The marker signifies the beginning of many upcoming recreational improvements at the park planned by the Mayor for this summer.

Volunteers continued hanging markers along the estimated mile-plus long hiking trail with expectations of finishing mapping of the remaining trail route this week. 

“My goal is to make Abe Stone Park and Colony Pond a recreational attraction once again for our residents,” Cassetti said. “It has been long neglected and needs refining. I can’t wait to see this completed.”

The trail will also outline the Colony Pond perimeter and proceed into the hillside woods an additional mile, looping back to the pond. An estimated 200 feet of boardwalk will be added over marsh areas and the pond-feeding brook with funding provided by Home Depot and construction by Emmett O’Brien Technical High School carpentry students. 

In the coming weeks, volunteers will clear the trails of any litter while pruning branches along the hiking route.

Also on tap for this summer is repairing of the basketball court and kids playground, adding volleyball, picnic tables, cooking grills, opening of the Colony Snack Shack, and adding a boat dock to allow canoes, kayaks, and rowboats on the pond.

In April, the DEEP will once again stock the pond with trout and catfish for public fishing. 
A long-term plan by Cassetti is to make a small area of the pond suitable for swimming once again.


This is a press release from Ansonia City Hall.

Visit interesting and fun sites in Connecticut Saturday

Oxford Women's Spring Softball League seeks players

*Info shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Seymour Recreation slates spring swim programs

*Sharing from the Office of the Seymour First Selectman Facebook page.

Ansonia to open Armory on weekdays for winter walkers

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti announced in a release today that the Ansonia Armory building will be open to the public for winter walking.

The Armory building, 5 State St., will be open from 7-10 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Cassetti said he “wants a safe and warm place for the public to be able to walk off those extra holiday pounds.” The building will be open starting Jan. 17.

Any questions should be directed to Jeff Coppola, Director of Parks and Recreation, 203-736-5926.


*Information shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Seymour launches fitness center for residents

*Information shared from the Office of Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller's Facebook page.

DEEP grant to preserve open space on Ansonia-Seymour town line

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia/Derby, has announced a $112,500 grant to preserve open space on the Ansonia/Seymour town line. 

The funds, from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition program, will add significant acreage to Abe Stone Park.

“In the spirit of the season, I am so thankful that Ansonia will be able to add nearly 14 acres to the park in the city’s north end,” said Gentile. “I remember going to the park with my family as a child to play and swim in the summer and ice skate in the winter. Now I go there to watch my granddaughters play soccer. This beautiful treasure of natural beauty and splendor must be preserved and saved from development. It will provide children and families in Ansonia hours of recreational enjoyment for generations to come.”

The acquired open space will prevent the land from being developed. Several recent proposals were rejected.

"We are very grateful to Rep. Gentile and DEEP for their support in preserving and protecting this property on Castle Lane,” said Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti. “The property adjacent to the park will complement the area with additional space for trails and other recreational use."

"Because Ansonia is very small in size we must be thoughtful about the way we develop and/or preserve the space that remains,” said Economic Development director Sheila O’Malley. 

“This is a significant grant that helps us create additional open space in the city. Thank you to Rep. Gentile and Dave Stygar of DEEP for their assistance."

This is a press release from Gentile's office. 

Fun events slated for CT Open House Day Saturday

Sharing from the state tourism website:

"Join us for this day-long, state-wide celebration of everything that makes Connecticut great! 
"Attractions, museums, galleries and organizations in towns and cities all across Connecticut will be opening their doors and welcoming visitors with discounted or free admission, giveaways, special offers, hands-on activities for the kids and more. It’s a great way to discover or rediscover all that is happening in our state."

These events are planned in the Lower Naugatuck Valley:

ANSONIA: General David Humphreys House, 37 Elm St.
Free admission from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., along with a plant sale, gift shop, and handcrafted items available for purchase.
 
DERBY: Kellogg Environmental Center & Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave.
Museum open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Center open from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free tours and a workshop.

SHELTON: Shelton History Center, 70 Ripton Road.
Free admission from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

 
SHELTON: SportsCenter of Connecticut, 784 River Road.

One free activity per person. Hours from 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Program on Naugatuck River planned at Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby

DERBY - Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and The Naugatuck Valley Audubon Society will host a program, Welcome to the Naugatuck River: The River Few Have Ever Seen presented by Kevin Zak at 7 p.m. April 20 at the Kellogg Environmental Center.
Zak is President of the Naugatuck River Revival Group.

The Naugatuck River begins in the towns of Winchester, Norfolk, and Goshen to converge in Torrington and flow 39 miles to its confluence with the Housatonic River in Derby.  It has a watershed area of 311 miles in portions of 27 towns, is the only river contained entirely in Connecticut, and is the largest tributary of the Housatonic River. 

The informative program, produced by Zak, features a video set to music. Attendees will take an imaginary journey down the Naugatuck River and visit a variety of ecosystems, including one found below the water’s surface. Discover the world of predator and prey, songbirds, fishing birds, fish, and a jawless fish known as the sea lamprey. 

See how conservation efforts are helping to educate the public, promote recreation, and help restore the river. Learn the threats to this so often unnoticed river and satisfy your curiosity as to what is being done to solve its problems and to keep this river beautiful.

The NRRG is a non-profit started by its President, Kevin Zak and Executive Director, Sondra Harmen. Zak is a member of the Waterbury Greenway Advisory Committee and the Naugatuck River Greenway Committee. Zak also assists A Place Called Hope with rescues of birds of prey, including eagles, hawks, and owls. NRRG is involved in the Naugatuck River microbead study by Post University and assists DEEP in river herring migration monitoring.   

The Kellogg Environmental Center is located at 500 Hawthorne Ave. 
A suggested donation of $5/adult is requested. Children under 12 are free. 

Light refreshments will be served.

For information, directions, or to register call 203-734-2513 or email donna.kingston@ct.gov.


This is a press release from DEEP.

Crisco welcomes trail grants for Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck

DEEP funding to improve recreational areas 

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, Wednesday welcomed news the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has announced grants totaling $288,000 for recreational trail improvement and expansion projects in Derby, Hamden, and Naugatuck.

The local grants are part of a $5.8 million total package of state aid for 38 projects to build, expand or enhance greenways and multi-use trails in more than 27 communities across Connecticut.

“Once again, the residents of Connecticut are the beneficiaries of a bipartisan investment in our environment and the public enjoyment of all the natural beauty that we have in this state, which is one of the reasons why Connecticut is consistently ranked by Forbes Magazine as having one of the best qualities of life of any state in America,” Crisco said. 
“I hope families take the time this summer and fall to enjoy these improvements by getting outside, getting some fresh air and exercise, and spending some quality time together away from electronics and TVs.” 

• Derby will receive $24,000 for pedestrian bridge construction at PFC Frank P. Witek Park. The 22x8 foot ADA bridge to be installed on existing abutments connecting existing walkways and creating fishing access.

• Hamden will receive $184,000 for the Center Park Spur Trail to create a 1,000 foot paved connector (with bridge) between the Farmington Canal Heritage trail and the Town Center Park, complete with benches and signage. The paved connector will be eight feet wide with a two foot shoulder; the bridge is 40 feet long.

• Naugatuck will receive $80,000 for the Naugatuck Andrew Mountain Property Trails to develop a managed trail system in 130 acres of recently acquired open space. The work will include a welcome kiosk, trail signs, way-finder signs, natural diversity description signs, benches, a parking lot, portable toilets and a dog park. There are a few small stream crossings that will require wooden bridge crossings.

“Through our Recreational Trails program, we are providing funds that will provide attractive opportunities for more families to enjoy the outdoors, and to have the chance to spend time together outside,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee.  
“We applaud Governor Malloy and members of the General Assembly for making these funds available and allowing us to continue improving and connecting the many tremendous trail and greenway networks in our state.”

DEEP has expanded the scope of its Recreational Trails Program under terms of Public Act 15-190 - which received unanimous and bipartisan support in the legislature - and which allowed the agency to provide funding for a full range of multi-use trails and greenways projects.  
At a recent meeting, the state Bond Commission authorized $7 million for the grants.

Funds received through this program may be used for locally supported trails and trail systems, bikeways and multi-use paths.  
Grant money can be allocated for a wide variety of purposes, including planning, design, land acquisition, construction, construction administration, and publications for bikeways, walkways, and greenways as well as for equipment and trail amenities, such as parking lots, toilet buildings, signs, and benches.


This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Ansonia soccer to hold registration this week at Armory

Seymour to start basketball league for Valley teens

*Sharing from the Facebook page of the Office of the First Selectman of Seymour.  

Public invited to grand opening of ice rink in Ansonia