New Britain Recreation and Community Services Department

The Golf Division is comprised of Stanley Golf Course that offers a 27-hole Championship layout and hosts over 60,000 rounds of golf each season. The newly renovated Whinstone Tavern has also opened in the past month and has the ability to cater groups up to 200 people. The Cemetery Division runs the 100 acre Fairview Cemetery located on 120 Smalley St. The division maintains the entire facility and coordinates all burials and internments. The Veterans Affairs Division provides support services for all New Britain Veterans and their families. This involves the research and coordination of all potential benefits due to these individuals. The Department also organizes all Veterans’ and Memorial Day services and the Memorial Day Parade. The Youth and Family Services Division specializes in providing prevention, intervention, treatment, and aftercare services to at-risk and troubled youth and their families. The Parks Division is responsible for nine parks in New Britain covering 1,200 acres. The parks system is one of the best in Connecticut and offers something to citizens of all ages. Walnut Hill Park and Central Park are home to the Summer Music Festival and Lunch Time Concert Series respectively. Stanley Quarter Park also hosts a 4th of July Concert each year. The Recreation Division aims to provide economic friendly programs of the highest quality. The range of programming is unmatched in Connecticut and is available to all ages. Camps, trips, music, special events, and a broad assortment of adult and youth activities outline our prospectus. The Department recognizes the value of the arts and offers numerous programs throughout the year. During the fall, winter and spring months, the department provides a wide range of lessons and workshops covering both dance and music. There are three sessions of Hip Hop Dance Lessons lasting two months each and three sessions of Voice and Piano Lessons. A piano and voice recital is put on every May at First Lutheran Church in New Britain. An annual dance recital is also provided each year at Walnut Hill Park after the completion of the Hip Hop dance sessions. Furthermore, The Youth Theatre Winter Workshop offers children the opportunity to study and perform improvisation, acting, and moving exercises. A final performance is presented to an open audience to culminate the class. The Department also educates fourth grade students in the city about disabilities through its Kids on the Block Program. This national program uses puppets to teach the students about disabilities and differences. Each year over 800 students take part in this program

The Department’s summer programming also offers many arts related programs. Downtown Players is an acting camp that runs for seven weeks during the summer for children 7-18. Smalltown Players is designed for children 4-7 years old and inspires potential up and coming actors and actresses. A Summer Music Day Camp and Summer Music Workshop are offered for musically inclined children. Private piano and voice lessons are for children and adults looking for one on one learning opportunities. Dance camp and Hip-Hop dance lessons are also available throughout the year.