BY ADAM ATKINSON

North Country This Week

CANTON – The Canton Recreation Department has opened its summer season of programs featuring swimming lessons, theater camp and other athletic camps.

The rec department will also maintain the village’s parks which offer basketball courts, swimming areas and other activities.

Recreation Director Jim Putman said the summer swim program is off to a slightly later start this year due to a change in venue.

Due to Canton Central’s pool construction project swim lessons will be staged at the SUNY Canton Roos House pool this season instead.

Putman said the cost however is about $150 an hour at the Roos House, almost double what the village paid for pool time at the school. Putman said he had considered not running a swim program due to the taxpayer cost, but it's Canton Recreation’s most popular program.

Canton Recreation will offer two sessions of swimming lessons at the SUNY Canton pool at the Roos House, July 15-25 and July 29-Aug. 8 respectively. Participants must be 4 years old before the start of the session. Cost is $40 per child for one session, or $70 for two sessions. There will be separate time slots for beginners, intermediates and for stroke refinement.

Adult lacrosse is held at SUNY Canton turf field free of charge. The men’s group meets at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. The women’s group meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Info: Pat Harrington, harringtonp@canton.edu.

The summer theater program will present “Cinderella: Rockin’ in the 80s” by Kate Swenson July 29-Aug. 9, from 6-7:30 p.m. The theater camp, for ages 7-12, will give students the opportunity to explore various aspects of theatre from acting to staging and costuming. Those participating will spend two weeks memorizing, staging and performing a one-act play for family, friends and community members.

A beginning volleyball clinic will be held July 8-11 at the Canton Central high school gym from 9-11 a.m. for ages 10-16. Those attending will develop skills through drills, games and contests. The clinic costs $30 to attend. All skill levels are welcome. For more information, contact the Canton Recreation Department at 315-386-3992 or email recreation@cantonny.us.

A beginning tennis clinic will be held at Priest Field July 17-21, from 5-7 p.m. Registration costs $30.

For more information or to register for any summer programming, contact the Rec Department at 315-386-3992 or email recreation@cantonny.us.

Canton Recreation also manages several parks in the village, offering spaces for athletic events, swimming and other activities.

Taylor Park

Taylor Park on Miner Street Road features a public beach which opened June 1, kayak rentals, playground, picnic shelter with grills, basketball court, sand volleyball court, Frisbee golf, and a ball field.

The park is open May through September for daytime use (approximately 7 a.m.-8 p.m.)

Beach hours are weekdays 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Kayaks are available to rent with cash or check during beach hours for $5 an hour. Inquire at the lifeguard shed for more information.

The picnic shelter is available to rent for parties and events for $15 per hour. Call 315-386-3992 for more information.

Bend in the River Park

Located adjacent to the Canton Pavilion, Bend in the River Park at 90 Lincoln St. sits on the bank of the Grasse River. The park features a picnic shelter, grills, basketball court, sand volleyball court, ball field, and 1/3 mile paved loop trail for walking, biking, and running.

While swimming is not authorized, the park has the best view of the Grasse River in town.

The park is open year-round from the dawn to dusk. The park bath house is open early spring through late fall.

The picnic shelter is available to rent for parties and events for $15 per hour. Call 315-386-3992 for more information.

Buck Street Playground

Buck Street Playground at the corner of Buck and Lincoln streets is a quiet neighborhood playground offering a spot to play for all ages. The playground includes swings and infant swings, a merry-go-round, a jungle gym with monkey bars, a sand box, and several slides.

The park is open year round from dawn to dusk, but only maintained from early spring through late fall.

Canton Island Park

Canton Island Park next to U.S. Route 11 on Willow Island is a scenic location offering a relaxing view of the Grasse River.

The park is open from dawn to dusk.

Priest Field

Donated to the village by longtime residents Henry and Flora Priest, Priest Field is a quiet neighborhood playground offering a fun, relaxing place to play for all ages.

The field is open year-round and maintained early spring through late fall.