Community Corner

Recreation Dept. Reaches Out to Westwood With Coffee Hour Event

The event took place at the School Street Playground Friday, and a second will be held on June 20.

Officials of the took some time Friday morning to reach out to local families with a handshake, a smile, and some hot coffee at the School Street Playground. 

The coffee hour event, as it was dubbed, was the first in a two-part series the department is holding this month in an effort to gain input from the general Westwood public. Another event will be held on the afternoon of Monday, June 20.

"This is just kind of one of those opportunities to get out," said Westwood . "It's to get information and input from people who participate in programs and get their ideas of what they believe they'd like to see happening in the town. If we only get a vew people, that's fine, but it's to let people know that we're going to be visible."

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While several families flocked to the playground Friday morning, few, if any, were actually from Westwood, something that didn't come as a real surprised to the Recreation staff. 

"I'm not surprised," Burnes said. "When you look at this you see so many friendly people. It's a friendly place to go."

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Added Mike Griffin, Manager of Fitness Programs, "I really don't think it is much of a surprise just because of what it's in there. There's so much to offer."

Department officials said they expect the June 20 event, which will be held at the Westwood High School Pool Lobby, to garner more foot traffic from Westwood residents. 

At the two meet-and-greets, the department hands out questionnaires in order to gather suggestions and ideas from Westwood residents.   

"The goal (is) to get out and meet people, to make them aware of who we are and at the same time hope for input on what kind of programming they'd like to see," said Aquatics Manager Sue Perry.

Making a face-to-face presence is something Burnes and the rest of the department is looking to increase, as they said it helps create a feeling of unity within the community.

"Us coming out introducing ourselves, we'll be popping in, too; having impromptu pop-ins to do surveys. This is just the beginning."


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