Shrewsbury – Do you want to build a snowman? Who doesn’t? The Parks & Recreation Department is planning an event for families to do that as well as a host of other things for this winter.
“Build a Snowman” will take place Friday, Jan. 15, from 4-8 p.m., under the softball lights at the upper portion of Dean Park.
“It’s a little different and we are trying to think outside the box with the issues at hand and the world and restrictions and what people can and cannot do,” explained Recreation Supervisor Gary Grindle.
This is a great way to use some of those old clothes tucked away and other odds and ends to build and decorate a snowman.
Grindle said that families will have a one-hour time frame to complete their snowman. Parks & Recreations officials will judge and award prizes based on the most creative and zaniest snowmen – think movie themes!
To participate, families need to register for a time slot between 4 and 8 p.m.by visiting www.shrewsburyma.gov/parkrec. Hope for snow but, should snow be in short supply, the event will be rescheduled.
Cardboard sledding anyone? Mark your calendars for Saturday, Jan. 30. Check in is 9 a.m. at Dean Park. This event is another way that families can exercise their creativity by designing, building and decorating a sled from all the delivery boxes left over from the holidays.
In accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, all participants must pre-register. Registration and rules can be found by visiting www.shrewsburyma.gov/parkrec. Prizes will be awarded.
“We were looking for fun family events,” Grindle added. “We are outside in a safe environment following safety guidelines and families can work together.”
Other outdoor events include a scavenger hunt, winter craft workshops, a virtual ice fishing clinic and, hopefully, ice fishing at the Dean Park Pond.
If the great outdoors isn’t quite your cup of tea, then one of the following virtual courses might be of interest: adult yoga, adult core connection fitness six class pass, senior gold Zumba, youth chess, teen core fitness, dining and social etiquette workshops, sign language, home safety for kids and esports league.
Esports, a.k.a. gaming, is all the rage and its perfect for remote winter fun.
Grindle remarked that the idea for esports came about at a Central Massachusetts Parks & Recreation Board meeting.
Shrewsbury is one of several communities participating in the Central Massachusetts Recreational Esports league with players from Grafton, Hudson, Leominster, Southborough, Sterling, Upton, and Westborough.
Players compete in GGLeagues FIFA21, Madden21, NBA2K21, and/or Super Smash Bros – all gaming platforms for both new and experienced gamers to compete in leagues across various game titles.
“Whether you’re a collegiate player or a casual player, there is a wide range of player skill levels for you to compete against,” Grindle said.
Divisions are available for grades 3-12. Each league will consist of six weeks of competition, five weeks of the regular season and one week of playoffs.
Registration is open and will close January 13, 2021. Competition begins the week of January 18 and the cost is $30 per player. Click here
“Let’s stay safe, active and healthy this winter! Please visit our website for more information and registration (click here), ” Grindle said.
He noted that these and other Parks & Recreation programs are open to Shrewsbury residents only.
