PEABODY — With Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plans less than a week away, the Peabody Recreation, Parks and Forestry Department is hard at work retooling its summer programs to bring some fun to the city’s children, while keeping them safe.
“At Peabody Recreation, we are doing our best to plan safe and fun summer programming options,” Director Jen Davis said. “Guided by this plan, we are cautiously optimistic and that we are implementing program modifications, additional safety measures and new protocols as needed.
“Camp regulations might be coming out (Tuesday), that’s the rumor we are hearing, so hopefully this rumor turns out to be true so we know where we stand.”
Davis said the plans continue to evolve in an effort to minimize the risks to participants and that while the state’s Phase 2 guidelines have not yet been released, many summer programs have already been modified in hope of reopening in July.
Programs scheduled to start prior to July 7 have been canceled or postponed.
Davis said the popular parks program that usually has about 50 kids, will likely be reduced to comply with spacing guidelines. There will be no sharing of equipment and parents will be asked to sign off on obeying all safety rules, including keeping their children at home if they don’t feel well. She expects that sports clinics will be offered, while leagues likely will not.
“We’ve had multiple conversations with the Board of Health and we are cautiously optimistic, but basketball is still up in the air,” Davis said.
The program operates about 100 programs and averages about 700-800 children each summer. Davis said 25 percent of programs, most involving contact sports and activities, have already been canceled.
Many spring programs, lost in the wake of COVID-19 closures, were replaced by virtual ones.
“We normally run all of our programs at parks and schools, so once March hit and we couldn’t be in our facilities, we had to think on our feet,” said Davis. “Thankfully, we have a great staff and my rec supervisors, Kierstin Merlino and Maureen Sammons, came up some great ideas for virtual programs.”
The first virtual program developed out of the department’s existing PY (Peabody Youth) TV program with partner Peabody Access Television (PAC).
“PAC took the studio program and turned into a virtual program, and that was the first virtual program we had,” said Davis.
The department has had several partnerships with communities in Minnesota, Florida and Oregon, one being a popular 30-day virtual marathon of activities to keep kids active.
The most popular program was “Family Feud,” a local, regional and national competition. Peabody’s team, the Teague family, made it to the nationals before bowing out to the Hannson family of Herminston, OR.
Another popular activity was Peabody’s version of the game of CLUE. Entitled “Who killed Dr. COVID,” the game challenged players to explore the city looking for clues to help solve the mystery.
“Staff members scattered clues across the city and we also made online videos to help kids identify the culprit,” said Davis.
Davis said that all the preliminary hiring has taken place, but until she knows what programs will actually be available, everything is up in the air.
Residents are advised to check their email accounts for important updates. Davis said the department will not run any programs unless “they pose minimal risks related to COVID-19” and that any additional cancellations will be made by the end of this week.
“We are not going to put anyone in jeopardy,” said Davis. “It will be up to our vendors who supply clinics and service and if any of them are uncomfortable we will understand completely. Most if not all of our programs will be outside, but even so, if they are uncomfortable in any way, we will not run the program.”
The June 1 due date for deposits has been waived, Instead, a 50 percent deposit is required for all programs and will not be due until July 1.
Program participants are encouraged to visit the department’s website, www.peabodyrecreation.com or email the department at [email protected] for additional information.
