Derby Parks & Recreation Commission

Facilities Budget Programs Meeting Agenda Minutes of Meetings

Something healthy - The Valley Fitness Challenge

DVCC offers private swimming lessons

Pop Warner football registration begins this week

2008 Nutmeg State Games & Senior Games

The State of Connecticut has its own annual Olympic style event known as the Nutmeg State Games. This year's event will be held from July 26th - August 3rd in Danbury. There are 11 different team sports in several age groups as well as individual sport competitions. Medal winning teams will qualify for the 2009 State Games of America National Championships to be held in Colorado Springs, CO. Click here for an early entry form.

If you are still young at heart, but looking for competition with others looking for some age competitive action, then you might be interested in the Connecticut Senior Games to be held at Trinity College in Hartford from May 30 to June 1. Aimed primarily for those 50 and older, competition involves a variety of team and individual sports including track & field, 3-on-3 basketball, cycling, softball, bowling, volleyball among others. There will also be "younger" divisions for Slow Pitch Softball, Volleyball, 3 on 3 Basketball, and Track and Field for those 30-39 and 40-49. This year's state games are also qualifying events for the 2009 Senior Games to be held in San Francisco. Parks and Rec Chairman Jack Walsh participated in the 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the 2007 Games in Louisville and reports that the games offer a great experience with more than 10,000 athletes from all over the US participating. Click here for information about the Connection Senior Games.

The City of Derby maintains an active Parks & Recreation Commission that supports a variety of programs which are largely run by volunteers and supported by the City. The City is also fortunate to have both the Naugatuck and Housatonic Rivers flowing through it and large and scenic tracts of open land in Osbornedale State Park and the Witek Memorial Park.

The City's programs and facilities are under the stewardship of the Parks & Recreation Commission and a Director of Parks & Recreation. The Derby Park and Recreation Commission is appointed by the mayor with the approval of the Board of Alderman. Members serve three year terms. The Commission is responsible for recreation facilities and programs operated by the City of Derby for the benefit of its citizens. It has seven voting members. The Parks & Recreation Director and the Athletic Director of Derby High School are ex-officio members reporting to the Commission. The Parks & Recreation Director is Dennis O'Connell.

The members of the commission are:

Name	Term Expires
James Benanto	3/31/2008
William "Red"Clynch	12/06/08
Andrew Cota	12/28/2009
David Mikos	8/31/2009
Bev Moran
Nick Serdenitsky	8/31/2009
Jack Walsh - Chair	8/31/2010

Dennis O'Connell is the Parks & Recreation Director and Joe Orazietti is the Athletic Director, Derby High School. They are ex-officio members of the Commission.

The Parks and Recreation Director is a part-time employee of the City. The Commission is grateful to the City of Derby Public Works Department for their work in maintaining the City's facilities, to the Board of Education for allowing many of the programs to be held in their facilities, and to the hundreds of volunteers who operate the programs. The Commission maintains an office in the Derby Veterans Community Center.

The purpose of these pages is to acquaint you with the many opportunities available to residents and to seek feedback and recommendations for improvements. Click on any of the links to learn more about that subject.

Parks & Rec was the first city board or commission to post its budget, agendas and minutes on-line. Please take time to read them and see what is happening.

Commodore Hull Race - A Thanksgiving Morning Tradition

Click here for 2007 results

The Derby Greenway - A new future for Derby's Rivers - includes video, photos & a challenge

Send your e-mail questions or comments to Derby Recreation Commission

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