Parks & Rec COVID Updates

March 15, 2022

  • City of Northampton lifted the indoor mask mandate as of March 11, 2022, except as listed below and on their site. 
  • Face coverings are still required in all indoor Northampton Public school facilities. 
    • Exception is when in the pool.
    • Exception is at Smith Vocational High School - their Board of Trustees voted to lift the mandate.
  • Do not participate or attend programs if you feel ill. 

Update: January 13, 2022

Got Tested?: If you get your child or a family member tested for COVID please wait until you receive a negative test result before you/your child attends a NPRD practice/game or program.

Positive Test
 If you or your child tests positive for COVID and attended a game/practice/program within the previous 48 hours of onset of infection, or within the 10 days following onset of infection, please let NRPD know so that we can communicate this to the team and/or program participants.

NPRD will notify participants and make them aware so that they can monitor themselves and family members for symptoms.

Symptoms
 If you or your child is showing even the slightest symptom (even a runny nose) it is highly advised you test, and do so with a PCR test since antigen tests are less sensitive. If you have access, a PCR test is preferred (testing sites link below).

Exposure
 If at any point during the season/program you or your child are deemed a close contact (in contact with COVID positive person within 48 hours of them testing positive) at school or other activities, then you will fit into 1 of 2 scenarios:

Definition: Up to Date on COVID-19 Vaccines

  • Received a primary series (2 doses) of mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) within the last 5 months or
  • Received a primary series (1 dose) of J&J/Janssen vaccine within the past 2 months or
  • Received a booster or additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine
     

Scenario 1: What to do if you ARE NOT Up to Date on COVID-19 vaccines

  • Stay at home for 5 days after last exposure. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
  • Test on day 5 after exposure if possible.
  • If you have any symptoms, stay home and seek testing.
  • If unable to wear a mask at all times around others, stay home for 10 days after last exposure

Scenario 2: What to do if you ARE up to date on COVID-19 vaccines

  • If you and/or your child are up to date on the COVID-19 vaccine you will be allowed to continue participation as long as you self-monitor for symptoms for a period of 10 days and should wear a mask around others.
  • Test on day 5 if possible.
  • If you develop any symptoms, stay home and seek testing.


For more information on Massachusetts COVID-19 Guidance visit:  mass.gov/isol8

For testing sites, the City of Northampton Health Department has COVID information and links on their website: https://northamptonma.gov/2392/Local-Testing-Sites

Please note guidance may change.

December 2021

  • Face coverings are required in all indoor facilities.
    • Exception is when in the pool.
  • Do not participate or attend programs if you feel ill. 
  • Programs are running, please click on the various links for information. 

September 2021

  • The pool is re-opens to the community Sept. 27.
  • All local and state COVID regulations will be followed.
    • As Sept. 27, face coverings are required indoors except when in the pool.

July 2021

City offices are now open to the public! (as of July 6). We are excited to see you!

June 2021

We are exciting for the summer fun in 2021! Check out all the programs and camps available. City offices are opening to the public July 6, 2021. 

April 2021

  • Summer camp registrations have begun, don't miss your spot! 

March 2021

  • We have started registrations for many spring programs, and info is being updated for our summer camps! Click here to go to our main home page. 
  • City offices are closed to the public for walk-in, but we are open online and by phone! 413-587-1040 or email recreation@northamptonma.gov

February 2021

We will offer another round of exciting indoor activates as well as some virtual ones in March!

January 2021

We continue to offer some indoor activities and programs on the weekends in the Smith Vocational High School gymnasium. There are also a few outdoor programs to enjoy, as well as virtual classes! Check out the links on our "youth" and "adult" program pages.

October 20, 2020

Staff is working on some indoor programming to offer. We are waiting for confirmation on indoor use of some city facilities. We will launch some program offering in the next week or so. They will be sent out via our Constant Contact newsletter, as well as posted on our website. If you would like to be added to the newsletter, please email us at recreation@northamptonma.gov....

August 25, 2020

  • We are thrilled to offer a variety of fall youth and adult programs! Check them all out, and be sure to register early as registrations are limited. Please note residents have priority registration in some programs.
    We look forward to a fall full of fun!
  • Unfortunately, the pool at JFK Middle  School, our Aquatic and Family Center, remains closed due to the pandemic. We will update on our website when that changes.

June 30, 2020

Some Summer 2020 Programs! We are excited to offer some Summer of 2020 programs! Although a lot different than in the past, check out some of the offerings. As the governor rolls out phases, we have added more opportunities. If you have any questions, please contact us at recreation@northamptonma.gov..

June 3, 2020

Summer Day Camps Cancelled

We are writing today to share the unfortunate news that Northampton Parks & Recreation has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Summer Day Camp season. This includes our four camps, Safety Village, KidZone, Camp Hamp and Teen Expeditions.  Also the Incrediflix and ArtVentures program will not run. This decision was made completely out of the health and safety concern for the children, families and staff.

Over the last couple months, we have worked with local, state, and national associations to understand the impact COVID-19 will have on Summer Camps throughout the commonwealth and country.

Our staff has planned, discussed, and played out every scenario in which we may be able to hold our traditional programs. After reviewing the newly released guidelines from the state regarding day camps, we realize they present a very challenging set of logistical, operational and safety concerns. Thinking carefully about the types of camps we offer and the available options to modify our programs in order to meet these critical safety guidelines from the State, we have come to the conclusion that we aren’t able to operate our summer day camps this summer.

We know this is terrible news for so many families who rely on our programs to provide safe and stimulating activities for your children, which is especially needed at this time. We thank you for your understanding and patience through this process. This is not an easy decision by any means.

Please know our staff will be working on smaller, modified outdoor recreational programs to offer this summer such as art and sport programs and will post updates.

We will post updates on other programs as we know them.

Anyone registered for these summer camps will receive a full refund, which will be processed as quickly as possible.

For further summer information, please see our website at www.northamptonma.gov/recreation.  If you have any questions, please email us at recreation@northamptonma.gov.  Take care, and we look forward to recreating with you in the future.

May 14, 2020

Northampton Municipal Offices are closed until further notice. Updates will be posted as they are received. 

April 30, 2020

  • March 16 Mayor David Narkewicz declared a local state of emergency for the City of Northampton in response to the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).  Click here for website and announcement
  • City of Northampton Municipal Buildings are closed to the public. Tentative date to re-open is May 18. 
  • All Parks & Recreation programs are suspended until at least May 18, 2020. 
    • There are no staff present in the office to return phone calls or meet with customers.
    • The office is closed to the public, but email is available. Staff is working from home as they can. 
  • Our online registrations are continuing for summer camps and spring programs. Please visit the program pages for more information. 
  • Community Garden new gardener registration is postponed. More will be posted on the page in the future.
  • Refunds for programs that would be ending during this shut down are being processed. Please note that it will may take a few weeks for the refund to process and get mailed out to you.
  • Once operations begin again, we will evaluate memberships and based on the length of closure determine the manner in which to compensate members.
  • Our website has some links for local hiking and biking trails to enjoy during social distancing.

Again, we thank you for your patience as we navigate this unprecedented event. Please check our website for updates, www.northamptonma.gov/recreation

March 16, 2020 - updated 4:00pm

  • Effective Immediately, Mayor David Narkewicz has declared a local state of emergency for the City of Northampton in response to the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).  Click here for website and announcement
  • City of Northampton Municipal Buildings are closed to the public. Tentative date to re-open is April 7.
  • All Parks & Recreation programs are suspended until at least April 7, 2020. 
    • There are no staff present in the office to return phone calls or meet with customers.
    • The office is closed to the public, but email is available. Staff is working from home as they can. 
  • Our online registrations are continuing for summer camps and spring programs. Please visit the program pages for more information. 
  • Community Garden new gardener registration is postponed. More will be posted on the page in the future.
  • Once we re-open, refunds will be processed or credits will be applied to your account for any cancelled programs, rentals, and events. We will also evaluate memberships and based on the length of closure determine the manner in which to compensate members.
  • Our website has some links for local hiking and biking trails to enjoy during social distancing.

Again, we thank you for your patience as we navigate this unprecedented event. Please check our website for updates, www.northamptonma.gov/recreation