Town Recreation Department Webpage - 2016
Town of Grand Island Website
Joseph A. Menter - Recreation Supervisor
E-Mail
3278 Whitehaven Road
773-9680
Previous Recreation Department News
2016/2017 Fall/Winter Schedule - October 2016
The Grand Island Recreation Department has announced their 2016/2017 Fall/Winter schedule.
There are more exciting activities than ever available for youth and adult.
GI Recreation Department Fall / Winter Programs 2016/2017
GI Recreation Department Adult Basketball Open Gym 2016/2017 - Tuesday Nights
Youth Open Gym - Wednesday Nights, Pre-registration required.
Saturday Activity Center 2016/2017
Sunday Family Swim
11th Annual Paddles Up Niagara - July 2016
11th Annual Paddles Up Niagara will take place on Saturday, July 30th at Beaver Island State Park.
Event Location and Paddling Courses
Please note the location change and paddling course changes for this year. See attached maps for more details.
Early Bird Paddle Map -
Eco Tour Paddle Map -
Late Morning Paddle Map
The event location is at shelter 2B at the end of the beach.
The Eco Tour is full - but there is still room in the early morning paddle and fun paddle. Anyone who registered for the Eco Tour after it was filled received a phone call.
Early Morning Paddle and Eco Tour - 7:00 a.m. launch / Late Morning Fun Paddle - 11:00 a.m. launch
Parking
Event parking is available at the parking lot just north of shelter 2B. You may unload your paddle craft near shelter 2B, but you must park in the parking lot.
Eco Tour parking is available in the traffic circle near the launch site.
Food and Beverage - 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Breakfast Food - Grand Island Historical Society will be selling breakfast items starting at the early morning paddle. All proceeds will benefit the Historical Society.
Food Trucks - Food Trucks will arrive starting at 9:30/10:00 a.m. and include Dirty Bird Chicken and Waffles, Cheesy Chick, GG's Franks, Shish Kabob Heaven, House of Munch
Beer Tent - Be sure to have photo ID
Grand Island Historical Society will be staffing the beer tent and all proceeds will be donated to them. Beer tent is for event participants only (paddlers, sponsors and vendors). Paddlers get their first beer free; after that it will cost $5.00 per serving. Beer is provided by Flying Bison. The tent will open at 11:30 a.m. after all paddlers have departed, and go until 2:00 p.m. No one will be allowed on the water after consuming beer. Water - all paddlers will receive a bottle of water provided by Tops .
Paddles Fair - Sponsors, Vendors, Displays - 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
WEKANU - Safety Demo
NYS Parks Interpretive Center - they will have kayaks to try out in the calm water area - they cannot be used to paddle in the event
Riverkeeper - Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper will have kayaks available to rent for use in the event - for more info visit http://bnriverkeeper.org/rivertours/
Additional vendors and displays will include NYS Parks Marine Division, Buffalo Geological Society, Seabirds International.
Please remember, all paddlers must wear a life jacket and have a whistle. Finally...a big thank you to all of our sponsors who help keep this event fun and free...
Paths, Peaks and Paddles WEKANU Tops K and D Photography
Cabela's Flying Bison Town of Grand Island
NYS Parks – Beaver Island State Park, Marine Division, Interpretive Center
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary G.I. Fire Company
Bills Boatworks Seabirds International Buffalo Coffee Roastery
GI Recreation Department Contest Winners - July 2016
Brooke Horvath - Wagon Decorating Winner.
From left: Devan Williams, Jonathan Williams, Joe Martin
The Youth Wagon Decorating Contest was held on Tuesday, June 28, 2016. First Place went to Brooke Horvath.
The Fishing Contest took place on Saturday, June 25th at Fisherman's Landing. Awards went to:
Devan Williams - 9-15 age group
First Fish Caught, Biggest Fish Caught, Smallest Fish Caught, Shortest Time Between First and Second Catch.
Jonathan Williams - 16 and over age group
First Fish Caught, Smallest Fish Caught, Shortest Time Between First and Second Catch.
Joe Martin - 16 and over age group
Biggest Fish Caught.
GI Recreation Department Sports Craze Camp - July 2016
With the temperature registering 91 degrees at 1pm on Tuesday, July 12th, the kids at Sports Craze summer camp especially enjoyed "water day". A course was set up where they jumped into a blowup pool, grabbed a soaked sponge and ran over and under obstacles to squeeze excess water into a bucket. Most water in the bucket gained victory. The campers then had a water balloon toss. The Grand Island Recreation Department sponsors this camp every year. It is a three week program and divided up into a group 6-9 years-old in the first session and 10-13 years-old in the second session. Activities include; frisbee, flag football, basketball, street hockey, volleyball, golf and more.
Family Total Fitness, Wednesday Evenings - June 2016
The Grand Island Recreation Department is sponsoring Family Total Fitness, every Wednesday evening from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., June 29th - August 3rd at Veterans Park.
Adults and children ages 10 and up are welcome to have FREE fitness fun, including; yoga, pilates and strength training with instructor Melissa Graeff. See details.
WNY Flag Football Coming - June 2016
The Grand Island Recreation Department is sponsoring WNY Flag Football, every Thursday evening, August 25th - October 20th at Nike Base Park.
Boys and girls ages 7 - 13 years-old are welcome to participate. See details.
GI Recreation Department Fishing Contest - June 2016
The Grand Island Recreation Department is sponsoring a Fishing Contest at Fisherman's Landing,
Saturday, June 25th, 8am-11am and 5pm-7pm for youths 9-15, adults 16 & up, seniors 65 & up.There are many prize categories and prizes will be awarded Tuesday, June 28th at 2pm at Fisherman's Landing. See details.
GI Recreation Department Fall Softball League - June 2016
The GI Recreation Department is sponsoring a Friday Co-Ed Fall Softball League starting September 9th. It will run 8 weeks + playoffs. See Flyer.
11th Annual Paddles Up Niagara - May 2016
11th Annual Paddles Up Niagara will take place on Saturday, July 30th at Beaver Island State Park.
There will be an Early Bird Paddle and Eco Tour at 7:00 a.m. and a Fun Paddle at 11:00 a.m. A Paddle Fair will take place from 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. with vendors, product demos, food, beer tent and more.
Event Schedule -
Paddles Up Registration Form
Early Bird Paddle Map -
Eco Tour Paddle Map -
Late Morning Paddle Map
GI Recreation Department Summer Program Book - April 2016
The Town of Grand Island Summer Program book is out and jam packed with fun activities for kids and adults. For kids there is a Sports Craze program,
swim lessons, outdoor fitness, nature program, Come and Create, US Kids Golf, Let's Dance class, Roller Hockey, Flag Football, Fishing Club, Sandlot Kickball and tennis and open swim for youth and adult. Open registration is Saturday, June 11th and General Registration is Monday-Friday, June 13-17 & June 20-24 at the Nike Base. See Recreation Summer Programs 2016.
GI Recreation Department Easter Egg Hunt & Bunny Visit - March 2016
Max Black, One of 10 Golden Egg Winners.
The Town Commons and front lawn of Town Hall was the scene of a giant Easter Egg Hunt on Friday, March 25th. The youth group picked up 3000 eggs at the Commons, while the toddler group picked up 1000 eggs on the front lawn. Other activities included coloring, pictures with the Easter Bunny and guess how many eggs contest. Close to 200 kids participated on a very cold and windy day.
GI Recreation Department Easter Egg Hunt & Bunny Visit - March 2016
The Grand Island Recreation Department 2016 Easter Egg Hunt &
Visit with the Island Easter Bunny is Friday, March 25 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
at Town Commons next to Town Hall - Rain or Shine! Easter Egg Hunt for Children 5 -10 years old - 10:15 start.
Easter Egg Hunt for Toddlers - 4 years old - 10:30 start. There will be pictures with the Easter Bunny, Guess How Many Eggs Contest
and Easter Themed Coloring. See
flyer.
GI Recreation Department February Break Activities - February 2016
Slideshow - Photos by Joe Menter
The GI Recreation Department February Break took place February 15-17 at the Nike Base Community Building. The morning program was "Build Your own Air Powered Bottle Racing Car" from 9:00 a.m. - noon. Children built and raced their own air powered bottle racing car. The afternoon program was "Movie and Games" from noon-3:00 p.m. The kids also went outside and played in the snow.
GI Recreation Department February Break Activities - February 2016
The GI Recreation Department February Break activities are for children in 4th - 8th grade. The morning program is a "Build Your own Air Powered Bottle Racing Car" and is Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, February 15-16-17, from 9:00 a.m. - noon. Children will build and race their own air powered bottle racing car and they can keep them when finished!! Cost is $20, all material included. The afternoon program is "Movie and Games" and is Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, February 15-16-17,, from noon-3:00 p.m. Watch a movie and play air hockey, knock hockey, arcade basketball and more. The cost is $7 per child and snacks and beverages will be provided during the movie. There is space for 30 children in each program, pre-registration is required and the deadline is Thursday, February 11th. See
flyer for details. The programs will be held at the Nike Base Community Center, 3278 Whitehaven Road.