Nan Lanahan Administrator Elm Avenue Park 261 Elm Avenue Delmar, NY  12054 (518) 439-4955, option 3 (518) 439-2144 FAX Email:  Department Telephone/E-mail Directory

  Responsibilities of Office

The Parks and Recreation Department operates a number of recreational facilities and offers a variety of athletic, aquatic and cultural programs throughout the year for people of all ages.
 

Parks
There a variety of parks located in Bethlehem and they are open to all Town of Bethlehem residents and their guests.  These parks include the Elm Avenue Park which has a pool complex, playing fields and more.  Even man's best friend has his/her own park.  Along with these two parks, enjoy Henry Hudson Park located on the banks of the Hudson River, North Bethlehem Park, South Bethlehem Park, Selkirk Park, Bethlehem Memorial Firefighters Park, and our newest park, Maple Ridge Park.  While enjoying the parks, please make sure to abide by Park Rules (click here).  To learn more about what each of these parks have to offer, please visit our Parks pages by clicking here. 

Playing Fields
Most playing fields may be reserved on a limited basis by town based organizations.  A field request form, a certificate of insurance naming the Town of Bethlehem as the additional insured and a complete practice and game schedule are required.  To check availability, call the park office at 439-4955, option 3.

Field Permit Request Form

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Programs and Special Events
Organized recreational opportunities are available to Town residents throughout the year.  The wide variety of programs offered include swimming, sports clinics, drama workshops, fitness classes, safety services, adult athletics, children's camps and much, much more.  Programs are offered in a variety of settings including the school pools, gyms, and field areas as well as at Elm Avenue Park.  

Details about these programs and registration information appear in the brochures published by the Parks and Recreation Department.  These brochures are contained in the Town issued Bethlehem Report which is mailed in late April, mid-August, and early December.  For further information call 439-4955, option 3 or see full entry "Parks and Recreation Programs."

Special events include Halloween Hay Day, Bike Day, July 4th Family Day, summer evening performances for children, and monthly middle school events. 

Office hours and Conference/Meeting Room
Regular office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
For more information after hours, call 439-4955, option 3

Conference/Meeting Room
A conference/meeting room, located in the Park Office, is available on a limited basis for use by Town-based groups.  Call (518) 439-4955, option 3 for availability.

Conference Room Reservation Request form

Yard Waste Paper Bags can be purchased, 3 for $1 at the Elm Avenue Park,
Town Hall, Highway Department, and Rupert Road Transfer Station.

Summer Employment and Volunteer Opportunities
The Town of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation Department will be accepting applications for Summer 2008 employment from January 1 - April 1, 2008.  Applications for volunteer opportunities are accepted on an ongoing basis. Applications will be available at the Parks Office, Bethlehem Town Hall or click below. Office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Summer Employment Application
Volunteer Application

2008 Lifeguard Training Schedule

Summer 2008 Brochure

Summer 2008 Individual Swim Lesson Request Form

Previous Seasons' Brochures
For other programs, please see some of our prior brochures

Spring 2008 brochure
Winter/Spring 2008 brochure
Fall 2007

*Available in Adobe Acrobat format. You can click the logo below to download the program at no cost.

Parks and Recreation Department
Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  What are your office hours?
A.  The office is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  A drop box is located outside the office building for any correspondence after normal business hours.

Q. When is the pool open?
A.  The pools are generally open from the second Saturday in June through Labor Day.

Q.  What do I need to access the pool complex?
A.  The pool complex is open to Town of Bethlehem residents and their guests (guests must be accompanied by a resident).  Every resident age 5 and older needs a pool pass; they can be obtained at the Park office from late May until late August. The purchase of a season pass entitles you to unlimited visits during the summer.  A Pay-As-You-Go pass allows you to pay the pool fees each time you visit.

Q. What do I need to bring in order to get a pool pass?
A.  Proof of residency is required to obtain a new pass or update a previously issued pass.   This includes a photo ID AND a current utility bill, property tax bill or lease agreement (all bills or agreements must have a printed street address, NO P.O. boxes).  Passes must be updated annually.

Q.  How can I reserve a pavilion?
A.  Three pavilions at Elm Avenue Park, one at Maple Ridge Park and one at Henry Hudson Park may be reserved by Town of Bethlehem residents or Town of Bethlehem based organizations.   A nominal fee is charged based on the size of your group.   Call the Park office (439-4955, option 3) to determine availability.   A pavilion request form will be mailed to you or you can print the appropriate request form from our forms page.   When it is returned with the fee, your reservation will be confirmed.

Q.  How do I apply for a summer job?
A.  Application forms are available on the Town of Bethlehem website or at the park office.  All applications should be received by April 1.

Q.  Can I volunteer?
A.  Sure!  We use volunteers in many of our programs throughout the summer.  We ask that you fill out a Volunteer Application form so we may determine your interest and availability.  You should be a least entering 8th grade.   The application is available on the Town of Bethlehem website or at the park office.  Deadline is June 1.

Q.  How can I learn more about your recreation programs and special events?
A.  The Town of Bethlehem’s website contains the most current program brochure as well as a few back issues.  The current brochure is mailed to residents.  Current brochures are also available at the park office, these contain information about programs and special events and registration instructions. 

Q.  When does the Parks and Recreation brochure get mailed?
A.  The brochure is mailed to residents three times per year (generally late April, late August, and early December) in the Bethlehem Report.

Q.  Do you have a summer day camp?
A.  Yes, Camp Adventure runs for 6 one-week sessions from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. during the summer. Activities for children entering grades 4-7, centered around a weekly theme, include swimming, athletics, games, arts and crafts, story hours, and field trips. This camp meets at the Elm Avenue Park Large Pavilion.

Q.  How do I get to the town parks?
A.  Please click here for directions and brief information regarding our other parks.

Q.  Can I bring my dog to any of the town parks?
A.  Sorry, dogs are not allowed in our parks with the exception of the Dog Park.  We are concerned for the safety of all park users and the cleanliness of the grass areas where your children play.

Q.  Can I bring my dog to the Dog Park?
A.  Absolutely!  The Dog Park is a great place for your dog to run and socialize.  Dog Park permits (colored collar tag) are available at the Town Clerk’s office for a nominal fee.  Proof of rabies and distemper vaccinations must be shown and the dog must be licensed in the Town of Bethlehem (sorry, no non-resident dogs).  For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, please observe the hours and rules posted at the Dog Park.  For more information, see the Dog Park page on our web site.

Q.  What can we do in the parks in the winter?
A.  Lots of things!  The skating rink at Elm Avenue Park is open when the ice is at least 4 inches thick.  Cross-country skiing and snow shoeing is allowed in any park.  Snowmobiles are allowed at Elm Avenue Park but only on the fields at the south end of the park along Route 32.  Great sledding can be found at Elm Avenue Park and Maple Ridge Park.

Q.  What hours is the skating rink open?
A.  Generally school nights until 8 p.m. and weekend nights and holidays until 10 p.m.

Q.  Where is the boat launch?
A.  The boat launch for the Hudson River is located at Henry Hudson Park off Route 144 in Selkirk.

Q.  When is the boat launch open?
A.  The docks are put into the water sometime in April (depending on tides and water levels in the river).  They are removed for the winter in October.  Check the Henry Hudson Park page of the Town's web site for opening and closing information. The launch is open daily one hour before sunrise until 10 p.m.

Q.  Can you give me information on Bethlehem Soccer Club, Bethlehem Tomboys, Bethlehem Babe Ruth, Tri-Village Little League, Delmar Dolfins, etc.?
A.  These are private clubs organized by parent volunteers.  We have a list of contact information for most of these clubs if you need it.  Although these groups use our facilities/fields, we do not schedule their games, practices, etc.

Q.  When are the tennis courts and basketball courts lit?
A.  The courts are lit from mid-May until the end of October, weather permitting.   Hours vary by season and are listed in the spring and fall brochures and on the Parks page of the Town's web site.

Q.  How do I know when a playing field is closed?
A.  The group's field contact person will disseminate any field closures to coaches, players, parents, etc. through their source (voice mail, website, etc.)  Check with the club to determine their method.

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