Seasonal & Recreational Activities in Greenwich

Family Activities

Greenwich offers a wide spectrum of cultural activities for Families:

• Art Barn, Lower Cross Road, Greenwich
• Board of Education, Havemeyer Building, Greenwich
• Bruce Museum, Art, Social Sciences, Greenwich
• Bush-Holley House, 39 Strickland Road, Cos Cob
• Connecticut Playmakers, 35 West View Place, Riverside
• Greenwich Art Society, 31 Lewis Street, Greenwich
• The Greenwich Choral Society
• The Greenwich Historical Society, Cos Cob
• The Greenwich Library, 101 West Putnam Avenue, Greenwich
• Old Greenwich-Riverside Community Center
• Museum of Cartoon Art, 384 Field Point Road, Greenwich
• Perrot memorial Library, Old Greenwich
• YMCA, East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich
• YWCA, East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich
• Center for Chamber Music

Elderly residents are assisted by Public Service Volunteers, Red Cross, Homemaker Home Health Aide Service, Call-A-Ride and many other town and volunteer organizations.

Nature and Conservation

Greenwich traditionally has been concerned with the preservation of its intrinsic beauty and the following groups are primarily responsible:

• Audubon Center of Greenwich - Parks
• Audubon Society
• Byram River Gorge
• Citizens Advisory Committee
• Conservation Commission of Greenwich and Inland, Wetland and Water Courses Agency
• Educational Oceanographic Foundation
• Environmental Action Group, Greenwich
• Garden Center at Montgomery Pinetum
• Greenwich Point Committee
• Mianus River Gorge Wildlife Refuge
• Northwest Greenwich Association
• Sierra Club
• Sound Waters
• Nature Conservatory
• Boy Scout - Seton Preservation Area

Recreation: Beaches & Parks

The many beaches, parks and other outdoor recreational activities in Greenwich covers 850 acres.

• Binney Park - 22 acres. Scenic ponds, pools, walks, playground, tennis
• Bruce Park - 59.12 acres. Duck ponds, tennis, pinic facilities, biking, playground
• Byram Park - 31.5 acres. Swimming with lifeguard, picnic facilities, tennis, boat slip and dock, playground
• Greenwich Point - 147.3 acres. Hiking, swimming with lifeguard, anchoring facilities, extensive picnic facilities, Audubon Center, wildlife reserve
• Island Beach - 3.9 acres. Swimming with lifeguard, pinic facilities. Reached by town operated ferry.
• Pinetum - 104.5 acres. Hiking and picnic facilities, abundant exotic plantings and trees
• Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink - 85 feet by 185 feet. Figure skating and hockey
• Bruce Golf Course - 18 hole course $30.00 fee (annual) for residents plus greens fee
• Babcock Property - 290 acres. Nature walks and picnic grounds
• Boat Slips (town owned)
• Grass Island
• Greenwich Point

All of the above facilities are open to Greenwich residents only and admission is by identification cards purchased from the Town for a small annual fee.

Bridle Paths and Bicycle Routes

Greenwich has nearly 200 miles of bridle paths. Maps of these may be acquired through the Greenwich Riding and Trails Association, Inc. Greenwich also has a Class 3 Bicycle Route between Grass Island and Greenwich Point, a distance of 7.5 miles. Call the Park & Recreation Department for information - (203) 869-8800.

Tennis Courts

In addition to the aforementioned courts in the parks there are:

• 8 courts at the Greenwich High School
• 4 courts at the Central Junior High School
• 4 courts at Eastern Junior High School
• 2 courts at Western Junior High School

YWCA

• Facilities: Pool, gym, tennis courts
• Programs Physical education (including Scuba Diving, Tiny Tots, Ballet, Pre-natal and Post_partum fitness, etc.)
• Arts & crafts
• Au pair and nanny club
• Backgammon
• Bridge
• Cooking
• Day care
• Interior Design
• International Club
• Languages
• Trips and tours
• Additional Programs are constantly being added.
• Hours 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday - Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

YMCA

• Facilities: Pool, track, badminton, basketball, tennis courts
• Programs:  Physical education (including karate, open gym periods, Prince Tennis Trainer, weight lifting, senior citizen's fitness program)
• Art classes
• Investment seminars
• Parent Effectiveness Training
• Decorating
• Hours: the Greenwich YMCA building opens at 630 a.m. Monday through Friday; physical activities are over at 930 p.m. on weekdays and 745 p.m. on Saturdays.
• The Greenwich Recreational Board conducts a complete schedule of programs, clinics, events, and instruction in everything from archery and bowling to paddle tennis, weight training and power squadron.
• There are a variety of ski clubs with enthusiastic participation.

Community Services and Civic Groups

In addition to national civic and fraternal groups (Rotary, Lions, Exchange, Kiwanis clubs, etc.), there is a variety of clubs based on more localized interests, such as garden clubs, sailing and boat clubs, ski clubs, Women's and Junior Women's Clubs and volunteer groups of the Greenwich Hospital, Red Cross, Meals-on-Wheels, Community Chest, D.A.R., Greenwich Chaplaincy Services, and the Junior League.