RECREATION STATION CAMPERS Violet Tenaglia (left) and Meyli Kao had a blast sliding down the inflatable waterslide for the last time this summer. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The fun never stopped during Lynnfield Recreation’s summer programs once again this year.
Director Julie Mallett said 1,600 children participated in Lynnfield Recreation’s summer programs this year, which shattered the department’s previous registration record of 1,475 children set last year.
“We are so grateful for another extremely busy and fun summer,” said Mallett.
Recreation Commission Chair Rich Sjoberg agreed.
“This was another incredible year for Lynnfield Rec,” said Sjoberg. “We had full days at Recreation Station, Rec Jr. and the Rec Adventure trips.”
Mallett recalled that Recreation Station, which is held at Lynnfield Middle School, is for students in grades 1-8.
“Its unstructured free play,” said Mallett. “The kids can get off their phones, and just play and socialize. We have many activities, including pickleball, tenniball, gaga ball, arts and crafts and, of course, the waterslide.”
Recreation Station Director Nikki Louise Ferullo said this year’s program was a huge success once again.
“It went very well,” said Ferullo. “We had a lot of kids playing and having fun. A lot of kids did crafts. It was very busy this year. The staff was great. It was a lot of fun watching the kids play. The kids had a great time.”
Recreation Station Chief Fun Officer Mike Wein said 400 children attended the program at LMS this summer.
“It was a huge success,” said Wein. “The kids were happy that they got to play every day.”
Sjoberg said Recreation Station allowed children to have nonstop fun for seven weeks.
“Recreation Station is the best way for kids to spend quality time with their friends while having fun outside,” said Sjoberg. “The 400 kids at Recreation Station got to do that on a daily basis.”
Mallett said the Rec Jr. program for incoming kindergartners was held over the course of seven weeks at Summer Street School.
“Our teachers run the program,” said Mallett. “It’s a great way for kids to get to know one another, socialize and have fun.”
Sjoberg said Rec Jr. allowed incoming kindergartners to make friends before starting school.
“It’s a great way for kindergartners to get to know each so when they start school, they already have established friendships,” said Sjoberg. “It’s great.”
Mallett said the Rec Adventure trips were held each week. She said children were able to have fun at Boda Borg Boston, Canobie Lake Park, Funtown Splashtown, Kimball Farm, SkyVenture New Hampshire, Sky Zone Trampoline Park and more.
“It’s an all day affair,” said Mallett.
Sjoberg said the Rec Adventure trips were very popular once again.
“We took 50 kids out of town every day all summer,” said Sjoberg. “It’s fun and exciting. Patricia Hazelton knows how to take something fun to the next level.”
Mallett said Lynnfield Rec’s Summer Basketball program held at the LMS courts was a big hit once again.
“Rec Basketball is my all-time favorite program,” said Mallett. “It is noncompetitive for any child going into fifth grade through eighth grade. The kids can just have fun with no pressure to be the best. The staff serve as the coaches, and everyone has a great time.”
Sjoberg said the Summer Basketball program received rave reviews once again.
“When I was a kid, you would go down to the local park to play a pick-up game,” said Sjoberg. “The Summer Basketball program is a well organized neighborhood pick-up game. Everybody had fun.”
Mallett said Lynnfield Rec held sports session camps for field hockey, golf, lacrosse and impact sports training.
“Our sports session programs are a huge hit,” said Mallett.
Mallett also launched new programs this summer, including the Cars and Coffee program that was held on Sundays.
“This was Mike Wein’s idea,” said Mallett. “He had a vision and wanted to bring it to Lynnfield Rec. Cars and Coffee is a great community event for car enthusiasts of all ages. The first two shows brought over 50 vehicles for display and another 75-plus spectators. Our next show is on Sunday, Sept. 24. Free coffee is being generously provided by Crack’d Kitchen & Coffee in Peabody. We plan to run this program again and hope it continues to grow.”
Sjoberg thanked Wein for coming up with the new Cars and Coffee program.
“Mike is a car enthusiast,” said Sjoberg. “He brought it to Julie and the Recreation Commission as something we could try this summer. Car enthusiasts love to polish their vehicles and show them off, and talk about them with other car fanatics. We are so grateful that Mike came up with the idea. It’s another example of Lynnfield Rec trying something to get more people involved in the great recreation programming that we have in town.”
Mallett also said Lynnfield Rec launched a new art program called Let’s Get Creative at the middle school.
“It was a huge success,” said Mallett. “The talent these kids have is simply amazing.”
Sjoberg said the nonstop rain did not prevent campers and staff members from having fun all summer long.
“We did not let the large number of rainy days we had discourage us,” said Sjoberg.
Mallett said she hoped kids had a blast while attending Lynnfield Rec’s different programs.
“I hope the kids were able to put their devices down and just have fun,” said Mallett.
Ferullo was happy that children were able to have fun and relax while attending the different programs, including Recreation Station.
“I hope the kids had lots of fun,” said Ferullo. “I hope they were able to relax and enjoy themselves, and had a great summer.”
Wein agreed.
“I hope the kids were able to be fun loving kids without a care in the world,” said Wein.
Mallett was thrilled that Lynnfield Rec’s summer programming was well received by children and families once again.
“I love offering different types of programs to hopefully have something for everyone,” said Mallett. “It is so nice to hear the parents and the kids ask for Rec to be extended another week or so because the kids love it!”
Sjoberg concurred with Mallett’s viewpoint.
“Lynnfield Recreation’s goal is 100 percent about having fun,” said Sjoberg. “Our goal is not volume. Our goal is fun. The reputation that Lynnfield Rec’s summer programs have is a direct result of the amount of kids that come to each program. We don’t have to do marketing. It’s all repeat business and referrals.”
Mallett thanked Lynnfield Rec’s staff and volunteers for making the summer programs a huge success once again.
“Lynnfield Rec’s staff are the best of the best,” said Mallett. “What is great is that most of the staff members are Lynnfield teachers or are people who live in town. I like to use the resources that we have here so we try to keep a sense of community among us. The staff love their job and the kids love them.”
Sjoberg also thanked Lynnfield Recreation’s staff for their hard work this summer.
“The quality of the programs is solely based on the quality of the Lynnfield Rec staff and the lead counselors who are overseen by the incredible Julie Mallett,” said Sjoberg.
Sjoberg thanked Town Administrator Rob Dolan, DPW Director John Tomasz and the DPW for “everything they did to make each one of the outdoor recreation spaces safe and fun.”
“They did a great job this summer,” said Sjoberg.
With summer now in the rearview mirror, Mallett is currently working on Lynnfield Rec’s fall programs.
“We will have our middle school early release trips back again,” said Mallett. “I am also working on a few more fall activities.”
To sign up for Lynnfield Rec’s fall programs, visit https://lynnfieldma.myrec.com/info/default.aspx.
“If someone has an idea for a program that is not offered, they just need to ask me,” said Mallett. “If I can do it, I will.”