Winter Edition

City of Albany

Department
Of
Recreation
Kathy M. Sheehan
Mayor

Jonathan P. Jones
Commissioner

A message from Commissioner Jones

Upcoming Events:
Saturday, February 14th: Boxing
Tournament at Quail Street
Boxing.
Monday, February 9th & March
2nd: Free Ice Skating Swinburne
Park, 3-5pm/7-9:30pm
Monday, February 16th: Free
Skating sponsored by the Albany
Public Library 12pm-3pm

Wednesday, February 18th:

Afternoon Movie at Swinburne
Ice Rink: Disneys Frozen: 3pm5pm
Friday, February 20th: Black
History Month Expo at Arbor Hill
Community Center: 5pm-8:30pm
Friday, February 20th: Afternoon
Movie at Swinburne Ice Rink:
Cool Runnings: 3pm-5pm

Greetings
We are excited to present the
inaugural issue of the DoR
a quarterly newsletter that we hope
will update, inform, and encourage you to join in our Departments
programs and activities. We aim to partner with the community we
serve to offer activities and services that strengthen the physical,
mental, and social skills of our residents.
In 2014, we introduced new initiatives like the 1609 Fitness
Challenge, started new programs in our community centers, and
updated the City Boxing Gym, Swinburne Ice Rink, and the Arbor
Hill Community Center Pool. The success weve experienced thus
far would not be possible without your support and participation.
Still, there is more we can do to capitalize on being the Capital
City!
And a special thank you to UAlbany Department of
Communications students, Henry Erikson and Sam Leahy, for their
assistance in the development of this newsletter. Health is Wealth!

Jonathan P. Jones
What is the DoR?

As a department, it is our mission to provide recreation

and wellness to all city residents. We are the door
that opens up opportunities; this is not only an acronym
for our department, but a means to improve health.

www.albanyny.org/Government/Departments/Recreation
1
7 Hoffman Avenue, Albany, N.Y. 12209 (518) 434-5699

Lets take a minute to

introduce ourselves
Our Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Recreation is
to provide safe recreational facilities and
coordinate wellness programs to keep Albany
active! It is our aim to improve the quality of
life and health across our city. We partner
with the community we serve to offer
activities and services that strengthen the
physical, mental, and social skills of our residents. The
Department of Recreation oversees 29 playgrounds, 22 tennis courts, 21
basketball courts, 16 athletic fields, nine spray grounds, three pools, two community centers,
and a nationally-recognized boxing gym. The Department of Recreation works with the
Department of General Services to maintain parks and recreation areas throughout the city.
Skateboard Park Planning has Begun!
In November of 2014 the Department of
Recreation kicked off the public outreach for the
proposed skateboard park in Washington Park. A
public information meeting was held to inform
the public about the planning process and to listen
to their suggestions and concerns surrounding the
project. Over 90 people attended the public
information meeting!

We have plans for our future:

The Department of Recreation has big ideas on
the horizon:

We have plans for our

Create a park assessment profile and
future:
plan for our citys recreational resources.
Expand recreation to include all ages and
year-round activities and leagues.

While the comments were overwhelmingly

supportive, some concerns were raised about the
proposed location. The Department of Recreation
will develop a vision plan based on the public
outreach process and will take all of the
comments into consideration in the plan. Stay
tuned!

Elisabeth Draper
Deputy Commissioner
edraper@albanyny.gov
John Lasch
Operations Supervisor
jlasch@albanyny.gov

Strengthen community center structures

to include academic development, new
sporting activities, and one-on-one
mentoring

Expand recreation programs to

HAVE A QUESTION? include all ages / abilities
and
Mike Banks
year-round activities.
Program Coordinator
Department of Recreation
mbanks@albanyny.gov
7 Hoffman Ave
Albany, NY 12209
Amanda Paeglow
518-434-5699
Outreach
Coordinator
Follow us on Facebook:
apaeglow@albanyny.gov
Albany, NY Department of Recreation
2

Our Community Centers:

The center of it all
Arbor Hill Community
Center:
Monday Friday
4pm 9pm

Hoffman Community
Center:
Monday Friday
4pm 9pm

50 Lark Street (2nd St. Entrance)

7 Hoffman Ave
Albany, NY one
12210of our strengths can beAlbany,
12209
As a department,
found NY
in the
heart of
Phone Number: (518) 434-0583
Phone Number: (518) 434-5699

our community centers: The Arbor Hill Community Center, and the
Programs:
Swimming: 8am-6pm
(Saturdays 9am-1pm)

Homework Help: 4-5pm

Arts & Crafts: 4-6:30pm
Healthy Cooking: 5-7pm
Tues. & Wed.
Educational Workshops
5-6:30pm
Recreation: 5-6:30pm
Open Gym: 7-9pm
Zumba: 6-7pm

Programs:
Homework Help: 4-5pm
Arts & Crafts: 4-6:30pm
Reading Club: 4-5pm
Educational Workshops
5-6:30pm
Recreation: 5-6:30pm
Open Gym: 7-9pm

Both community centers

are open to city residents,
ages five and up. We
strive to provide an array
of programs that balance
physical activity with
education and art /
culture!

(Mondays only)

ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE

Senior Fitness Class

Quail Street Boxing Gym

Monday & Wednesday

11am-12pm

91 Quail Street Albany, NY 12206

Monday Friday:
518-434-2480

St. Sophias Church

440 Whitehall Road
Albany, NY 12208

Hours of Operation:
1pm-3pm: 18 years of age and up
3pm-6pm: Under 18 years
6pm-9pm: 18 years of age and up

Lincoln Park Fitness Center

Lincoln Park Pool House
2nd Floor
Albany, NY 12209
Hours of Operation:
Monday Friday
4pm -9pm
Zumba: Wednesdays 6pm-7pm

Mayor Sheehan honoring notable boxers alongside

Commissioner Jones at the boxing gym

Winter Recreational Activities

Around the City
City of Albany Department of Recreation
Swinburne Ice Rink
Open Skate Hours:
Monday Thursday: 3pm-5pm/7pm-9:30pm
Friday: 3pm-5pm/7pm-10pm
Saturday: 12:30pm-5/7pm-10pm
Sunday: 12pm-2pm/6pm-9pm

Learn to Skate &

Learn to Play Hockey
Sundays: 3:15-5:45
~ 810 Clinton Ave, Albany, NY 12207 ~ 518-438-2406~ Now until March 8th

Fees: Adults $1.00

Under 18 .50
Seniors
.25
Skate Rental
$3.00

City of Albany Department of Recreation

Indoor Swimming
Arbor Hill Community Center

Myers Middle School

50 Lark Street (2 St. Entrance)

Monday Friday: 8am-3pm Lap Swim
4pm - 6pm: Family Swim
Saturday: 9am 11am - Lap Swim
11am-1pm Family Swim

100 Elbel Court, Albany NY 12209

nd

Monday Nights: 6pm-8pm Lap Swim

Wednesday Nights: 6pm-8pm Family Swim
(Free for City of Albany residents
during the school year)

(Fees: $1.00 adult, .75 seniors, .50 under 18)

City of Albany Department of Recreation

Pond Hockey League

Swinburne Ice Rink
810 Clinton Ave, Albany, NY 12207
January 18th-February 22nd
Sunday Mornings from 9am-11:30am
For more information call 518-438-2406 or email at albanypondhockey@gmail.com

Winter Lacrosse

Bring: molded mouth guard, sneakers,

and positive attitude!
~ All other lacrosse equipment
provided

Program
Fee: $20

Who: Boys and Girls, grades 3rd-12th

What: Learn fundamental lacrosse skills and tactics!
Where: Albany High School Gymnasium
When: Sundays from 1-5pm
Collaboration: Albany Lacrosse Club, Albany City School District,
and the City of Albany Department of Recreation