Planning for a Recreation Program


PINE PLAINS — New blood is being injected into the town’s recreation program, under the leadership of "the two Jens."

Those two young ladies are Jennifer Chase and Jennifer Blackburn, both of whom are planning to jointly lead the Pine Plains recreation program this summer.

According to Chase, a teacher, the program will be an energetic one that is based in education.

"We are here to propose the beginning of a park program run similar to a camp located at the beach/recreation area in town utilizing our town resources and providing opportunities for our children to thrive over the summer," the two stated in a proposal presented to the town. "Our goal is to set up a schedule with specific drop-off and pick-up times, arts and crafts, games and activities, hikes and adventures, weekly trips to the local library and post office, child interest speakers, and age appropriate experiences that make use of all of the exciting opportunities that this town has to offer."

Blackburn is also studying education, and said she’s equally excited about starting the camp program and other summer recreational activities this year.

But one of the most excited is town Supervisor Gregg Pulver, who lauded the two women for their enthusiasm and their plans.

"I love it," he said. "I think it’s good to have a couple of people interested in doing it."

The rest of the Town Board also thought the proposal sounded like a good one, and recommended that the two women move forward with their planning.

"It’s just a matter of getting in touch with the beach personnel and starting to dovetail it," Councilman Rick Butler said, adding that last year’s beach program was a good one that the town wants to continue.

As far as cost of the program, Pulver said that sort of information won’t really be known until after the summer is over and there is a "debriefing."

Those interested in the program are encouraged to fill out forms located at Town Hall and throughout the community that will let the organizers get an idea of how many children may be interested in attending a summer camp program. Registration forms have not yet been distributed.

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