This Week in Clarkstown

As the Superintendent of Parks & Recreation for the Town of Clarkstown, I have the privilege of overseeing one of the largest municipal Parks & Recreation Departments in the region. Summer is by far our busiest season, with thousands of residents enjoying our parks, programs, pools, camps, and special events.

Our three swimming pools; Germonds, Congers, and Lake Nanuet are now welcoming families for another exciting summer. More than 100 lifeguards work throughout the summer to ensure our patrons can enjoy the pools safely, and I couldn’t be more proud of the dedication they bring to the job. Our lifeguards train constantly throughout the year to keep their lifesaving skills sharp.

Last Saturday marked the opening of Germonds and Congers Pools, which are now open seven days a week. Lake Nanuet Pool will open for the season on Saturday, June 27. While attending opening day at Germonds Pool, I witnessed firsthand just how valuable that training is. A young girl dove into the 12-foot diving pool and immediately began to struggle. Within seconds, our lifeguards sprang into action and safely rescued her. Watching the rescue unfold reminded me just how professional, prepared, and well-trained our staff truly are. Their quick response made all the difference.

Summer also means the return of Clarkstown’s Summer Camp Program. We operate ten camp locations staffed by more than 200 counselors, directors, and assistant directors. In my 20 years working in Parks & Recreation, I can honestly say this is one of the most experienced and well-trained staffs I have ever had the opportunity to work with. We are fortunate to have many certified teachers serving as our camp directors and assistant directors, while our counselors range in age from high school students to college-aged young adults who bring tremendous enthusiasm and energy to our programs.

As a parent myself, I never hesitate to send my own children to our camps because I know they are in excellent hands. That gives me tremendous confidence when recommending our programs to other families.

If you’re still looking for summer activities for your children, there are spots available in both our half-day and full-day camps. Programs begin at age three and continue through eighth grade. Instead of spending the summer in front of a phone, tablet, or video game, give your children the opportunity to make new friends, stay active, and create lasting memories at one of Clarkstown’s outstanding summer camps.

July will also bring two of the Town’s biggest celebrations to Felix Festa Middle School. The Fireworks Extravaganza on Wednesday, July 1, and the Patriotic Concert & Drone Show on Thursday, July 9, will both open their gates at 6:00 p.m. Each event will feature food vendors, family activities, and live entertainment beginning at 8:00 p.m. On July 1, the Ladies of the ’80s will perform before our annual fireworks spectacular, while July 9 will feature the renowned West Point Band followed by an incredible patriotic drone show featuring 400 drones.

Our popular Clarkstown Summer Concert Series also returns in early July and continues through August with 13 free concerts featuring a wide variety of musical styles. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, gather your family and friends, and enjoy a great evening of live music in our beautiful parks. The complete concert schedule is available on the Parks & Recreation website under the Downloads section.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for all of our Clarkstown America’s 250 Summer Events, including the July 1 Fireworks Extravaganza, the July 9 Patriotic Concert & Drone Show, and the Summer Concert Series. Businesses interested in becoming sponsors can email me at m.veronesi@clarkstown.gov for more information.

For information on any Town of Clarkstown programs or events, please contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 845-639-6200.

Have an idea for a future column or a Clarkstown event you’d like highlighted? Feel free to reach out to me at m.veronesi@clarkstown.gov.

Have a great week!