Where is the Park and Recreation Department office located?

We are located in the Essex Town Hall at 29 West Avenue, Essex. Our office is on the first floor next to the Town Clerk.

What is your contact information?

Director:                       Rick Audet                   860-767-4340 x148        raudet@essexct.gov

Program Coordinator:    Mary Ellen Barnes        860-767-4340 x110        mbarnes@essexct.gov

Fax:                  860-767-8509

Website:           http://essexct.recdesk.com/recdeskportal/

What are your office hours?

The office is open Monday – Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm. If the office is closed, we do have a locked drop box outside our door for registrations.

How do I register for a program?

There are three ways to register for a program:

1. Most programs allow for online registration. Visit our website and Login as a Member, or Register as a New Member.  You will input your information, choose all the programs you wish to register for, and will be able to pay by credit card.
2. You may mail in a registrations form and payment to our office.
3. You may register in person at the office.

All registrations require a signed registration form and payment in full at the time of registration for it to be processed.

What is your refund policy?

A full refund will be given if the program is canceled by the Park and Recreation Department. In case of illness or injury, a full refund will be given with a doctor’s note. If you cancel your registration a week or more before the program begins, a full program credit will be issued. If you cancel your registration with less than a week prior to the program, a 50% program credit will be issued. No refund or credit will be issued once a program begins.

Do you allow weddings or receptions in the park? How do I reserve a park for a wedding or other ceremony?

Yes, we allow wedding ceremonies in our parks. First, call or email the Director to confirm your date is available. If it is available, you will complete the park permit application form, the release/indemnification form; submit a certificate of insurance, $200 wedding fee, and $500 security deposit. Please see our Parks & Facilities Reservations Policies and Guidelines document under the Forms & Documents tab on our website for full information.

How do I reserve a park for an event?

Similar to our weddings reservations procedure, first, send in a completed application form or call or email the Director to confirm your date is available at the park of your choosing. If it is available, you will complete the park permit application form, the release/indemnification form; submit a certificate of insurance, and $500 security deposit. Please see our Parks & Facilities Reservations Policies and Guidelines document under the Forms & Documents tab on our website for full information.

Do you hire seasonal staff?

Yes. We hire seasonal maintenance staff and summer camp staff. Job applications are available on the Town of Essex webpage, www.essexct.gov, click on the Municipal Job Opportunities link on the right side of the page, click on the Employment Application link. Complete and sign the application and turn it into to the Selectman’s Office.

Is there an organization for my children to play soccer?

Yes, Valley Soccer Club is a volunteer organization providing a fun youth soccer experience for over 500 children in Chester, Deep River and Essex Connecticut. Visit their website at:

http://www.valleysoccerclub.com/

Is there an organization for my children to play baseball?

Yes, Essex Little League is for boys and girls up through age 12: http://www.eteamz.com/essexlittleleague/

The Shoreline Babe Ruth League is for ages 13 and over: http://www.eteamz.com/shorelinebaberuth/

Is there an organization for my children to play football?

Yes, Tri-Town Football Warriors offers tackle football, flag football, and cheerleading: http://www.eteamz.com/tritownfootball/

I have lost something in the park. Do you have a lost and found?

Please call the Director if you have lost something in the park.

Where can I swim in Essex?

I forgot my password for the online registration system. How can I obtain that information to register for programs?

Call or email the Director with your request. The Director can set a new password for you and provide it to you.

I registered for programs using the online registration system. How do I obtain a copy of the receipt?

If you entered your correct email into your Member information data field, an email confirming your program registration is automatically sent to you by our recreation software.

I didn’t receive a Park and Recreation Brochure. Where can I pick one up?

A great place to find our brochure is right on the home page of our website, it is on the right side of the page and our full brochure may be viewed online. We also have brochures available in the office and distribute them to prominent locations in town such as post offices, businesses, schools, etc/

When is the Park and Recreation Brochure available?

There are three brochures printed and distributed annually. Our Fall Brochure is available the last week of August and includes programs for September through December. Our Winter-Spring Brochure is available the second week of December and includes all program information for January through early June. Our Summer Brochure is distributed in April.

How do I find out last minute weather related program/event cancelation information?

We often make last minute weather related decisions on whether to cancel a program or not. Safety is always our first priority in all our programs. The best place to find up to the minute announcements on the status of a program or special event is on our webpage under “Announcements and News.”  

Do you call or confirm all program registrations?

No. No News is Good News, we do not call or mail participants with program confirmations. We will only call you if you did not get into a program, or a program has been canceled due to minimum enrollment.

I may be interested in leading a Park and Recreation program, are you looking for instructors?

Yes. We are always looking for qualified, new instructors for our programs, and constantly seek to create new offerings for the Community. Please call or email the Program Coordinator for more information.