Sanford Parks & Rec Summer Update

by Lori Hegarty, Recreation Director

Sanford Parks and Recreation has been busy and active regardless of the rain and high heat index. A handful of track and field participants opted to compete in the Regional Pine Tree State Track and Field Games on July 15. The top four contenders at the Regional Meet moved on to the State match on July 19. Jaslinn Johnson took 1^st Place in not only the 100 Meter Dash (with a time of 15.10) for the 11-12 year olds, but also a 1^st place in the 200 Meter Dash with a time of 33.32. Jaslinn also took a 3^rd place prize in the Standing Long Jump for her age group with a 6 foot 7 inch jump. Samone Gallagher representing the 13-14 year olds took a 1^st place in the 400 Meter Run with a time of 1:17.17, and 1^st place in the 800 Meter Run with a time of 3:06.43. Representing the guys at the Meet, we had Barrett Lucier, age 9-10, taking a 7^th place in the Standing Long Jump with 4-06.25, and a 7^th place finish in the Softball Throw with 71 feet. Owen Westerlund finished 4^th place in the Standing Long Jump for the 11-12 year old boys with a distance of 6 feet 1 inch. George Westerlund representing the 13-14 year old boys finished in 4^th place in the Softball Throw with a distance of 59 feet 3 inches. Congratulations to all of the finishers! 

Campers from Carl J. Lamb Boys and Girls Camps, as well as the Springvale Playground campers enjoyed the Bungee Jump Rockwall. Campers swim regardless of the rain – I guess they figure they are going to get wet anyway…  A Fire and Ice Show presented by Mad Science was a hit for the campers as well (see photo below). Wee Ones campers are having fun with mini golf and a movie at Smittys Game Lab. The Teen Treks program is busy with the Mousam River Float for “Inner tube Floating” as well as helping to clean the Veterans Cemetery. They didn’t realize we have such wonderful assets right here in our own town. The Float lasted approx. 1 ½ hours in which the entry point was just after the bridge over Emery Street, and we took out at the new High School. The serenity and scenery were spectacular on the Mousam River. 

The Parks crew is busy with more mowing than they can keep up with. The rain sure makes that grass grow. They are busy at #1 Pond preparing for the Tournament that will be hosted by the Maine Attraction Water Ski Show Team on July 24 and 25. The upkeep at Goodall Park for the Mainers is an endless task as games keep on rolling and the crowds are many. 

They hope to see many Sanford Residents out “Moving” about.  Happy Summer!