Page 37 - 2021 Annual Reportprint

Brighton Recreation 2021

While navigating the continued challenges presented by the pandemic, Brighton
Recreation has had a busy year filled with in-person programming, exciting grant
projects, new events and infrastructure improvements. With the help of incredible
volunteers, we continue to strive to create and expand recreational opportunities in
our beautiful community and region.

Brighton Recreation hosted their traditional slate of annual events including the “Tri-
County Kids Fishing Tournament,” which saw 140 anglers spending time out on the
ice, the “Pondathon,” our local favorite biking/running race around the lake, and also
the inaugural edition of the “Northeast Kingdom Marathon,” that attracted 150 racers
to our community! Additionally, regular program offerings such as outdoor circuit
training classes, run/walk/bike nights in partnership with our local health center and
RiseVT, junior hoops basketball, line dancing classes, family bike rodeos and repair
classes, and after school programming at Brighton Elementary School continued.
Thanks to a sizable grant from Vermont Afterschool, this summer saw the expansion
of the Brighton Kids Club Summer Program to 6 weeks of free programming that
included free lunches from the Essex House and Kingdom Grille, swim lessons
and the addition of local staff members! Transitioning into the winter, Brighton
Recreation is excited to see the now larger public skating rink in Lakeside Park
seeing consistent usage.

Brighton Recreation used grant funding from the Building Communities Grant
Program to make necessary repairs to the basketball/tennis court surfaces and
surrounding fencing structure. The grant also allowed the rec department to install
five pieces of outdoor exercise equipment along the lakeside walking path. We are
also excited to announce that after years of fundraising and with substantial
assistance of federal funding, the Lakeside Park Playground Project will be coming
to fruition as we expect to break ground on our new engaging playground structure
in May of this 2022.

Brighton Recreation wants
to sincerely thank its many
dedicated volunteers and
also encourage residents
to make use of the
department’s website, www.
brightonrecreationvt.org, to
stay up to date on program and
event offerings.

Respectfully submitted,
Paul Chambers
Recreation Director
2021 Annual Report 37