News

Seven Records Broken at DUSO championship

Some of our Zena Rec children and families recently made local news by showing off what a fun weekday looks like this summer at Zena Recreation Park!  Click the link below to see what full-color fun we have every summer!

Daily Freeman Zena Rec Photo Journal 8.14.2021

Zena Recreation Park and the Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce are conducting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating Zena Recreation Park's 50th Anniversary as well as their new Music Series located at 714 Zena-Highwoods Road, Kingston, NY. #ChamberRibbonCutting #UlsterChamber

https://www.facebook.com/events/1802125919968871?ref=newsfeed

Summer is almost here and Zena Rec swim lessons are the perfect way to get your youngster safe and comfortable in and around the water!

Forms:   2021 Swim Lesson Reg June (4 05).pdf

                2021 Swim Lesson Registration July- August 2021.pdf

Learn more at this link!  Swim Lessons

WHAT: Please join us for the sixth annual Woodstock Zena Rec Pool Swim on Aug 25th. We invite swimmers of all ages and abilities to take part in this pool swim. Do this all while "Making Waves to Fight Cancer."

This pool swim is open to the public and anyone who wishes to participate.

WHEN: August 25th, 2019 from 8:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Rain or Shine

WHERE: Zena Recreation Park
714 Zena-Highwoods Rd
Woodstock, NY 12498

HOW TO JOIN: Click the register button in the middle of this page and get your own fundraising page to send out to your friends and family. All swimmers and volunteers must complete the waiver found here and bring to the event check-in. If you are under 18, please bring the waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

REGISTER HERE

FUNDRAISING: We encourage swimmers to each raise at least $100. Many will raise more but if everyone raises $100, our swim could raise thousands to support cancer research, prevention and treatment.

FUNDRAISING INCENTIVES: Every swimmer who participates will receive a Swim Across America cap, bracelet and tattoos! Raise the amounts below and receive great SAA items for your efforts!

This year we are offering more prizes at more levels! Check out all the great incentive levels below, and see how much money you can help raise in the fight against cancer!

• $100 - SAA T-Shirt.
• $200 - SAA Sunglasses + $100 fundraising incentive.
• $500 - SAA Towel + $200 fundraising incentives.
• $1000 - $50 Amazon gift card + $500 fundraising incentives.

Summer is in full swing at ZRP! Well that was an amazing first week! Swim lessons and tennis lessons kicked off Monday July 1st and these classic summer programs are not only alive, they are thriving! Swim lessons for the first 4 weeks of summer are completely booked.  We have over 30 children participating in the youth tennis program this year.  We couldn't be more thrilled!  Zena Sundevils swim team got the season started with a bang!  2 very solid wins over Hyde Park and Rosendale have the team looking in great form this week as they take their shot at knocking out perennial powerhouse New Paltz Seahawks at home on Wednesday. If you see a swimmer today or tomorrow let them know they have your support! Things are feeling like this is our year!  Finally, we saw the start of our newest program -- Camp Zena -- our very own summer day camp.  After a few first day "hiccups" things have settled in nicely and the Camp will be in full swing for the next 5 weeks.  There is still room for a few more children in each session so let us know if you'd like to try it out for a day or even a week.  AN ENORMOUS THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WORKING TO MAKE THIS 2019 PROGRAMMING A HUGE SUCCESS! YOU ARE THE BEST! peace, love, & swimming...ZRP

Study: Kids Who Spend Time in Nature Become Happier Adults

Getting outside, walking around, hearing the rustle of trees, feeling the wind on our face, the rain on our backs, the sun on our skin—the more we do that as kids, the happier we are as adults, their study suggests. And this was one heck of a study.

From 1985 until 2013, the researchers combed data from one million Danish residents. They looked at everything from income to educational level, history of familial mental illness, as well as how much green space surrounded where the residents had grown up. Because they had so much data to work with, the researchers were able to try and control for socioeconomic factors—kids who grow up wealthier probably have more access to green space, for example. Yet even factoring those discrepancies in, researchers found that being raised surrounded by nature as a child meant a 55 percent lower incidence of developing mental health issues as adults. Even better, it seemed that the more time children spent in nature, the better as far as mental health outcomes were concerned.

Want to catch up on Zena Rec? Check out this radio interview with Todd Ward from the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce:

Zena Rec on Ulster County Chamber Radio (24 mins)

Why do our members come back year after year?  Time and time again they tell us it is the friendships they make in a fun and relaxing atmosphere that make Zena Recreation Park a true treasure!  Studies show that having strong social ties are as important as diet and exercise when it comes to our long term health.  Check out this informative look from WebMD:

WebMD article on the Health Benefits of Strong Social Bonds

Join today, make new friends and spend quality time together!

Congratulations to all our coaches, swimmers, and volunteers!  You all did great and should be very proud of all your work and dedication!

Please find the local news article below:

Daily Freeman 2018 DUSO Championship Article