General Information of Recreation Department

The Department of Recreation had a very exciting year in 1998. Aside from its many program offerings and monitoring its 21 parks, playgrounds, pools and ball fields, the department eagerly awaited the move to their new location in Votee Park.

On May 3,1998 with a crowd of hundreds, the Richard Rodda Community Center opened its doors for a dedication ceremony. Among those speaking at the event was Richard Rodda himself, a pioneer in the field of recreation on the local, state and national level, and Teaneck's first Superintendent of Recreation 55 years ago. A very proud Teaneck unveiled the multi-use community center, capable of providing for the very young and very old alike. Described as a jewel of the community, the center in 1998 has already proved to be a model for recreation and the envy of many communities.

The new facility officially in operation in June became the new site of the Recreation Administrative offices, Nursery School, an After School program, the Senior Citizen Services Center and a second gymnasium. The first programs to move in included the Summer Day Camp program, for Toddlers from 9-1 p.m. and children ages 5-8 from 9-4 p.m. Camp at the Rodda Center was a huge success. Due to the close proximity of Votee Park, campers daily had an opportunity to utilize the many amenities available to them in Teaneck's largest developed park. Close to 500 children participated in the camp program. The new dance studio fully equipped with mirrors, dance bars and hard wood flooring, was the site for dance instruction, Toddlekins classes, kindergym and adult exercise classes. Tai Chi classes, for seniors, also utilized the dance studio.

The Rodda Center's Art Studio was dedicated to the memory of Richard Allen Kunath, Teaneck resident, artist and friend. During the daytime, many classes including watercolor, sculpting and drawing take place for senior citizens. Evening hours were reserved for special instruction and meeting groups. During the day, Senior Citizen programming occupied the upper level of the facility. Over I 100 senior citizens took part in center activities in 1998. Popular classes in exercise, art, bridge, clay, dance, and woodcarving filled the extensive monthly calendar of events available to residents over 55 years of age. By night, the upper level rooms become multi-purpose rooms and accommodated an array of meeting groups, clubs and organizations. The Blue Chip Chorus, Camera Club, Garden Club, Stamp Club, and Garden State Bridge Club were all regular users of evening space. The multipurpose rooms and gymnasiums are available for community organizations groups to rent. In 1998, 40 new users took advantage of the new facility by renting space.

The main level of the facility has two gymnasiums, the new gymnasium was the site for the summer basketball league and a Wednesday night drop-in program designed and supervised by the community policing bureau. The original gymnasium at the Rodda Center underwent minor renovations and cosmetic improvements and was renamed the Richard "Dick" Norman gymnasium, honoring Dick Norman, the founder of Biddy Basketball and longtime supporter of Youth basketball in the Township. Both gymnasiums were in constant use with the beginning of International Youth Basketball's season and the onset of Soccer's indoor season.

In 1998, the nursery school and after school programs accommodated over 200 children. The nursery had its outdoor play structure erected and Township Toddlers enjoyed their colorful and bright new school. Stations where toddlers played blocks, housekeeping, play doctor/nurse, participate in sand table activities, paint and do art projects helped to keep the little minds busy. The after school child care program said good-bye to the old Recreation Center in June and made an easy transition into the new facility with over l00 children in attendance in September. Children from grades Kindergarten to seventh were bused to the center from Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Lowell, Bryant, Whittier and the Charter school where they engaged in a variety of after school activities like basketball, board games, cooking, homework time and crafts until 6:00 p.m.

Immediately upon moving the administrative offices into the new center, the Recreation Department began the task of accepting summer registration for over 50 programs and the sale of pool and tennis badges, ball field permits and the issuing of picnic permits in 1998. Programs such as toddlekins, kindergym creative dance, swim and exercise classes, golf, wrestling, open basketball and volleyball, gymnastics, aerobics, arts and crafts, tennis, track, weightlifting, the playground program, sports and arts and summer day camp generated the interest of over 7500 children and adults. Sports organizations sponsored by the Recreation Department included: international Youth Basketball, Teaneck's Junior Soccer League, Teaneck Basketball, Teaneck Baseball Organization, Southern Little League, Junior Highwaymen Football, Teaneck Girls Basketball, Babe Ruth, Lancers, Mickey Mantle, and Western Little League. Some 3500 youth participated in the various organized sport activities.

International Youth Basketball inaugurated the new gymnasium with a series of weekend clinics in October. These clinics were held for all age groups. Over 400 children and their coaches attended the clinics that helped players learn basic skills. Having two gyms available to them in addition to space in the schools, team practice time was able to double. The most popular league (Instructional 5-6 used both gymnasiums on Sunday afternoons that allowed all of our community access to play. The Friday "senior" night provided a safe activity for many community teens who came to cheer their favorite teams on. On Friday nights the stands were filled with families who came to enjoy a meal at the canteen and see some good basketball played from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 P.M.

The Township pools, located in Votee Park (in-ground) Hawthorne Park (above ground), and Phelps Park (above ground) were kept busy during the summer months by 4,200 residents who obtained badges to use the facilities. The thirteen wading pools located in various parks were all staffed with attendants and well attended by children of all ages just looking to cool off. The tennis courts found in various parks were heavily used. The department sold over 400 badges for residents to play on the 19 courts in town.

The fourth of July celebration in Votee Park marked the department's 7th year of hosting the post parade party near and around the bandshell. Families were treated to magic, comedy and puppet show, face painters, tattoo artists, train rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, balloon makers, moon walk, sea of balls and a huge crawl tunnel maze. An Uncle Sam stilt walker and other walk around characters delighted the crowd of hundreds. Also on display were the police and fire vehicles for people to tour. The cultural Art Coalition joined the celebration with an art show and performance. Local artists had an opportunity to show off their work while a live band kept those passing by entertained.

The Adopt-A-Park program was designed to allow community groups, businesses or individuals an opportunity to make claim to a particular park. In addition to sponsoring neighborhood events the adoptive groups' goals are to have a positive influence on the preservation and continued beautification of the park of their choice. In 1998 the Temple Emeth adopted Windsor Park; the Girls Scouts and the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corp. adopted Bookstaver Park, the Friends of Lubovich adopted Terhune Park, and the Chopstix restaurant adopted Votee Park. A sign was erected in each park stating the name of its adoptive group. Each group adopted their respective park for a one-year period.

Through the recreation component of the High School Forum, the Recreation Department provided supervisors, transportation and admission fees for its special events and held open gym throughout the year and summer. In 1998, trips included: Great Adventure, Liberty Science Center, Seaside Heights Water Park, Nets Basketball Games, NJ Red Dog games, Horseback Riding and NJ Devils Hockey games.

The Township van provided much needed trips for the Townships senior and disabled population. The free service, in operation five days a week for medical appointments and food shopping, made about 5000 trips in 1 998. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays the van was scheduled for medical appointments to local doctors, hospitals and clinics. On Wednesdays and

Thursdays trips were taken to the Pathmark in Bergenfield for food shopping. At Pathmark each member of our Teaneck group is given a $2.00 shopping coupon, courtesy of the store manager. Upon returning to their homes, door to door service is guaranteed as each shopper has their bags carried in for them by our drivers. On months that contain a fifth Wednesday or Thursday the Pathmark trip is substituted with a trip to the Bergen Mall.

The Senior Citizen Services Center provided a wide range of activities for senior adults in 1998. Classes in exercise, water aerobics, chair exercise, clay sculpting, water color, bridge instruction, woodcarving, dance and more were well received by the 1000 participants who came to the center in 1998.

The Bergen Regional Medical Outreach Clinic continued to offer primary health care at its satellite office located first at the Town House, then at the Rodda building. A doctor and nurse were available to provide primary health care to individuals each Friday. The Doctor was scheduled for up to 16 appointments each day and in 1998 treated over 250 patients.

To end the year off, the Rodda Community Center was the headquarters for the Townships First Night New Year's Eve celebration. While the new gym had a band with live performances and swing dancing, the Norman gym had African dancing and a banjo concert. A reading room for poetry, a puppet show, a mother goose show along with a Cabaret for local performers kept the crowd of hundreds entertained as they welcomed in the new year in style.

General Information of Recreation Department

The Teaneck Recreation Department provides a wide range of programs for every age group responding to a wide range of interests.  The programs in this booklet were scheduled for 1998-99. Programs are added or discontinued from time to time, as residents' taste and leisure activity preferences change.

Throughout the year special events are scheduled for days when public schools are closed (teachers' holidays, conference days, legal holidays, but not religious). These include puppet and magic shows, arts and crafts, open gyms and other recreational activities. For the latest available information on programs, call the Department (837-7130) weekdays from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Department prepares a catalog of available programs for each season, which includes fees for those programs that carry a fee. Copies are free on request at the Recreation Department.

Registration for all programs takes place in the Recreation Department offices at the Richard Rodda Community Center. Except for special occasions, the first day of registration takes place on a weekday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Registration continues weekdays from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM until classes and activities are filled. Call the office for seasonal registration procedures (837-7130).

The Youth Division provides a school year Toddler Nursery Program for ages 3 & 4 and an After School Child Care program for children in grades Kindergarten through grade seven. Both programs follow the Teaneck Public School and Municipal Holiday Calendar. Registration is ongoing based on availability. Call 837-7130 for more information.

To use Township tennis courts, either for department-sponsored lessons or play, a Township resident must obtain a tennis badge each year. Student and adult badges are sold by the Recreation Department beginning the 2nd week in April.

To reserve a baseball or softball diamond, call the Recreation Department. Permits are issued on an as available basis for a fee. Selected Township ball fields are available for use by a permit only.

Picnic tables and charcoal burners are available in Phelps and Votee Parks. Reservations are not required, but priority is given to Township residents who obtain them. It is recommended that a reservation be made one week in advance of anticipated use. Picnic kits duffel bags containing sports equipment of your choice (such as football, baseball bat and bases, volleyball and net, soccer ball, Frisbee) are available for loan to Township residents and community organizations. These picnic kits are issued for specific days only.

Each year, a summer band concert series is presented by the Township. This year special concerts will be given on five consecutive Wednesday evenings at 8:30 PM in Votee Park bandshell. In case of rain, the concerts are moved into the Teaneck High School auditorium.

To use the swimming pools in Township parks, residents must obtain an ID tag; one tag is good for admission to all above-ground pools; a separate tag is required for use of the in-ground pool in Votee Park. The tags are sold by the Recreation Department beginning in June.

The Senior Citizen Services Center, located at the Richard Rodda Community Center, is in operation Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. A hot lunch is available daily for a small suggested donation. A complete calendar of activities, classes and special events is available each month. A county van is available to assist in transporting participants to and from the Center daily. Call 837-0171 for information.

The Bergen Regional Outreach Clinic is located at the Richard Rodda Community Center. Each Friday the Clinic offers primary health care to senior patients. The Medical Outreach Clinic accepts Medicare assignments. To make an appointment, call 837-0171.

A Township van is available to provide transportation to disabled and senior residents for medical appointments and grocery shopping five days per week. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays are reserved for local medical appointments only. Wednesdays and Thursdays the van makes trips to Pathmark for grocery shopping. Disabled and senior residents can call 837-7130 at least one week in advance to make appointments for trips.

This is the registration schedule for the four seasons (dates are approximate):

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