WAYNE, NJ – There are less than two weeks until the official start of spring. The “dark winter” of COVID is coming to an end and the new beginning of a new spring is coming soon to a Township near you.
The Wayne Parks and Recreation Department have had their hands tied during the winter with all the pandemic restrictions in place. But, with warmer weather, outdoor activities can happen. This allows for safer programming which opens things back up. The line-up that Director Tim Roetman and his team have planned for Wayne residents is full of fun, fun, fun, and they can’t wait for them to start.
The spring lineup of upcoming events is listed below, but Roetman wanted to make sure that residents know that the James Roe Pool and Tom’s Lake will be opening Memorial Day Weekend.
“We expect this year, to be a little bit more back to normal,” said Roetman about the upcoming swimming and pool season. “We’ll be offering swim lessons this year, which we couldn’t do last year. And, we expect our swim team to have a regular season with league meets.”
The exciting news for Tom’s Lake is the addition of the new Splash Pad, which is a mini-water park for kids with water cannons, a huge dump bucket and all kinds of fun water play available.
To register for the pool or the lake, click here
Speaking of Memorial Day, the Wayne Township Memorial Day Parade will happen this year on Monday, May 31.
As far as Wayne Day, the event is tentatively scheduled for September 26 but in order for the event to happen, some pandemic restrictions would have to be lifted, according to Roetman, such as limits on outdoor gatherings. He remains hopeful that the event will happen.
UPCOMING SPRING EVENTS
Ongoing – Saturday Afternoons Out
This is a year-round Saturday recreation program serving ages 6 – 21, with developmental disabilities. The program offers a 3:1 child to counselor ratio, and the staff includes college students majoring in Special Education as well as high school students.
Activities include art, a music program by Bach to Rock, cooking class, indoor and outdoor recreation activities, nature walks and weekly therapy dog visits.
These fun afternoons are held at Captain Kilroy Park, Saturdays 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- March 13, 20, 27
- April 3, 10, 17, 24
- May 1, 8, 15
Participants can be enrolled weekly, at $50 per week, or for 13weeks at $650.00.
An intake process is required for all new participants. Prior to enrolling with the Parks and Rec Department, please contact Vasilia Trbovich at [email protected] or by phone: 973-476-9523.
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March 20 – Easter Carnival – The event is currently full, but there is a waiting list
This fun EGG-stravaganza runs from 10:00 a.m. – Noon and all Wayne Residents are welcome to attend. Carnival games, prizes and socially-distant pictures with the Easter Bunny!
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March 23 through March 26 – March Madness Hoops Challenge
Wayne Parks and Recreation is hosting a March Madness Hoops Challenge open to Middle School and High School students.
Round one will happen on March 23, 24 and 25. The championship rounds are on March 26. Round 1, will be the 3-minute showdown, where participants will try to score as many points as possible from six floor locations. You’ll have three balls to shoot from each of the six locations. All shots must be taken inside the three-minute limit. Each station has a different point value, you can score up to a maximum of 54 points.
The top 16 scores in each age bracket will move on to Friday Night’s Sweet 16 starting at 6:00 p.m.
Sign-ups are going on now, so head over to www.waynetownship.com/parks and sign up online. If you don’t have an online account yet you can call the office at 973-694-1800 x 3260 or stop in the office at Wayne Town Hall, 475 Valley Rd, Wayne.
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April 17 – Wayne Walks
Last year, the Mayor’s health initiative, Wayne Walks was a big hit. The Parks & Rec Department is bringing the 8-week-long event back beginning April 17.
“Wayne Walks encourages social activity among friends while helping to set attainable goals for a healthy lifestyle,” said Director Tim Roetman.
Walks are each one-mile in length and can be done on several different dates and in several locations throughout town. Prizes will be given out at the final milestone party on June 11.
Click here for more information on Wayne Walks and to register
https://www.waynetownship.com/parks-documents.html?task=document.viewdoc&id=7263
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April 24 – Fishing Derby
For ages 5 – 16. Join your friends and family for some fishing fun! Prizes will be awarded in three age groups: 5-7, 8-10 and 11-16.
“Bring your own rod & reel,” reads the flyer. “Bait will be supplied, but you are also welcome to bring your own.”
Where: North Cove Park, 100 PAL Drive, Wayne from 8:00 a.m. – Noon
Note: Parents are allowed to help their children bait and reel but cannot fish for them. Parents are welcome to fish but must catch and release. Any fish caught by parents are not eligible for prizes.
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Group Voice, Guitar, Piano and Ukele Lessons available on various dates.
Click here for more information.
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For more information on any events, contact the Wayne Parks & Rec Department by email: [email protected] or call: 973-694-1800 x 3260
For pre-recorded information on Rain Outs and/or Program Cancellations please call the Recreation Weather Hotline: 973-633-4717.
To get you even more excited and thinking of HOT SUMMER NIGHTS, the lineup for the upcoming Wayne Summer Concert Series has been announced. The first show begins June 20 with Reminsce, but let’s focus on, and enjoy spring first, shall we?
