Somerville Recreation
AUGUST Newsletter
Our Monthly Newsletter features our upcoming programs, events, and resources provided by the Somerville Recreation department in order to keep our community active, connected, and inspired! For more information on how to register for programs...
📌 View our Fall Guide HERE! https://tinyurl.com/fallguide26 📌
* For translated guides, visit https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wxl9mktWiV5mfHT5wCFhWE4hwowYKjke?usp=drive_link
💻 Visit the official Somerville Recreation Page
🏨 Stop in our office at 167 Holland St. Somerville, MA 02144 Room 205
📥 Email esaez@somervillema.gov for more information!
If you have any questions, have feedback, or would like to be featured on the SPR Monthly Newsletter, please send an email to Kaitlyn Seeley at kseeley@somervillema.gov.
New Drop-In Programming Policy
Drop-in access is available only for teens who:
- Are registered for a Teen Program Membership
- Have guardian approval for drop-in participation (selected "YES" during membership registration)
- ** Programs that allow drop-ins will be clearly labeled on the program flyer and MyRec posting, if a program posting includes "separate registration is required" you must register for that individual program**
Need help registering?
Contact our Teen Program Coordinator, Brooke, at bmetivier@somervillema.gov!
Include...
- Parent / Guardian Name
- Program or Membership Name
- Teen's First and Last Name
to receive a confirmation email with additional steps.
GINNY SMITHERS CLOSURE (as of August 24th, 2026)
Dear Rec Community,
Beginning Monday, August 24, the Ginny Smithers Pool at the Kennedy School will be temporarily closed for scheduled deep cleaning and maintenance. This closure affects both the smaller warm/therapy pool and the larger main/lap pool. Both pools are currently expected to reopen on Monday, September 14.
This annual cleaning and maintenance procedure is done by Recreation and Public Works staff. Once the water is drained, the pools and surrounding areas will be thoroughly cleaned, tile and grout repairs will be completed, and any additional maintenance needs will be addressed. The pools will then be refilled and the water tested and balanced.
During part of this closure, Dilboy Pool will remain open for swimming. Admission to Dilboy Pool is free.
Dilboy Pool Hours:
- Through August 31, open daily from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. with adult lap swim Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 – 11 a.m.
- September 1-4, open from 3:30 – 7 p.m.
- September 5, open from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
September 5 will be Dilboy Pool's last open day for this season.
Please contact aquatics@somervillema.gov for more information or with any questions, and we thank you for your understanding.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information:- Pool Manager: Andrew Galanek
- Phone: 617-625-1539
- Email: aquatics@somervillema.gov
Celebrating National Night Out 2026 🚓
August 4, 2026
National Night Out was one for the books!
A huge thank you to the Somerville Police Department for inviting us to be part of this year’s National Night Out! We had a great time connecting with the community, sharing information about our upcoming recreation programs, and meeting so many amazing families.
Thank you everyone who stopped by our table, said hello, and learned more about what Somerville Recreation has to offer. We loved seeing so many familiar faces and meeting new ones too!
Teen Red Sox Field Trip ⚾
August 6, 2026
This year, we hosted our 4th Annual Teen Trip to the Red Sox Game! 26 families enjoyed a night at Fenway Park alongside their families. This year’s game was extra memorable—it went 13 innings and ended with a Red Sox win!
A huge thank you to our teens and their families for spending the evening with us. We love creating opportunities for teens and families to make memories together!
Last Day of SummerSpot 🧡
August 7, 2026
Celebrated the end of our SummerSpot Program with ice cream and some fun gym games! Thank you to all participants who joined us throughout the summer- we already can't wait for next year!
Summer Adaptive Sports Clinic 🏅
August 7, 2026
We were able to extend our Adaptive Sports Clinic into the summer to provide a space for participants to burn off some energy in a safe and welcoming environment! We can't wait to host another session this upcoming October!
Somertime Visits The Franklin Park Zoo! 🦁
August 7, 2026
Our Somertime Program had a roaring good time last week at the Franklin Park Zoo! From spotting amazing animals to exploring new habitats, the day was full of fun, discovery, and unforgettable memories.
A huge thank you to the staff at the Franklin Park Zoo for welcoming our staff and participants and helping make it such a special experience. We appreciate everything you do to inspire curiosity and a love for wildlife!
Basketball Week at Sports Clinic 🏀
August 7, 2026
Nothing but net! Our basketball clinic brought the energy all week long with drills, teamwork, skill-building, and plenty of smiles on and off the court.
A huge shoutout to all of our athletes for bringing their hustle, sportsmanship, and positive attitudes each day. We loved seeing everyone’s confidence grow with every pass, dribble, and shot!
A special thank you to Coach Antonelli for sharing your knowledge, encouraging our athletes, and making this week’s clinic such a fun and rewarding experience. We appreciate all of your hard work and dedication!
Somerville Public Library x KidStop Program 📖
Thank you to the Somerville Public Library and the Somerville Library Foundation for joining us each week to share the joy of reading with our kids!
We’re so grateful for your partnership and generosity in providing 50 book bags for our young readers to take home. Thank you for helping inspire a lifelong love of reading!
Getting Back In The Rink With Girls Ice Hockey 🧊
This summer, we were able to work with Coach Brittani Lanzilli to host our Girls Ice Hockey Clinic! With an increase of 10 participants from last session, we are super excited to host more Ice Hockey Clinics in the future!
Taking Adult Zumba Outside This Summer 💃
Thought to try something new and bring our Adult Zumba classes outside to enjoy the warm summer nights while allowing us to accept more participants and registrations with all of the space at Lou Ann David Park!
Speed and Conditioning ⏩
From quick feet and explosive sprints to agility drills and strength-building exercises, our athletes have been putting in the work all summer long!
Last Day of KidStop Toddler Program! 🪀
We couldn’t have asked for a more fun way to wrap up the summer at our Kidstop Toddler Program! Our last day was filled with bounce houses, face painting, big smiles, and lots of fun with friends.
A huge thank you to all of the families and little ones who joined us throughout the summer! We loved spending our days playing, creating, and making memories together.
Thank you for making this summer at Kidstop so special — we’ll see you next time!
Summer Swam By With Our Adaptive Swim! 🏊
While expanding our horizons with Adaptive programming, we fell in love with hosting Adaptive Swim! Thank you to all of our participants for joining our Aquatics team to learn how to be comfortable and gain confidence in the water!
Lacrosse Week At Sports Clinic 🥍
Lacrosse players were right on target, practicing their skills and having fun on the field.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us for Sports Clinics all summer!
Golf Week At Sports Clinic ⛳
Golfers had a tee-rific time working on their swing and enjoying some time on the course.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us for Sports Clinics all summer!
Boys and Girls Street Hockey Clinics 🏒
This summer, we hosted a three-day intensive for Boys and Girls Street Hockey! Learning a new sport is always fun, but being able to have stick practice and hang with friends in the summer made it even better!
Last Day Of Parks Program 🛝
A Sweet Way to End the Summer
Our Parks Program kids had one very important request for their final day: ICE CREAM!
After our participants wrote a note to our Program Developer, George Scarpelli, to let him know just how much they wanted a sweet treat, their wish came true! They wrapped up the program with some well-deserved ice cream and lots of smiles.
Thank you to everyone who joined us this summer and helped make it so special!
Visiting SPD Headquarters & Courthouse 🚨
August 18, 2026
On Tuesday, August 18th, our Junior Police Academy cadets were transported to the Somerville Police Station for a full tour of their Headquarters! From 911 Dispatch, the Traffic Bureau, Detective Bureau, Booking Area, and Detention Area, cadets were able to meet more staff to see what goes into being a police officer! Cadets were able to meet K9 Missy, a 2-year-old certified Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9, and watched her work to locate hidden digital media like cell phones and hard drives for sensitive investigations. After listening to a Mediation presentation, cadets were then transported to the Somerville District Courthouse to tour the building, learn how to resolve cases, and meet with the Judge!
Girls Lacrosse On The Rise! 🥍
August 18, 2026
With Somerville expanding lacrosse as a varsity sport, Recreation is making sure participants are starting young! We are so proud of our future lacrosse stars!
Red Sox Field Trip With Junior Police Academy 👮
August 18, 2026
Thank you to our squad leaders from the Somerville Police Department for putting together a field trip for our participants and their families to visit Fenway Park for a Red Sox game!
Teen Field Trip- WNBA Game! 🏀
August 18, 2026
This year, our teens were able to go on another field trip- this time, to a WNBA game! On Tuesday, August 18th, teens had the opportunity to watch the Los Angeles Sparks and the Connecticut Suns battle at TD Garden!
Junior Police Academy- Practical Scenarios 🚔
August 19, 2026
On Wednesday, August 19th, cadets were placed in practical scenarios in order to learn what exactly goes into becoming a Somerville police officer. Cadets learned the ins-and-outs of a motor vehicle stop, investigating a crime scene, CPR stations, and a mediation / de-escalation station.
Men's Softball Summer Champions: Advance Tire! 🥎
August 19, 2026
Congratulations to Advance Tire for winning our Men's Softball League Championship trophy, keeping the trophy in office for the second season in a row!
A Visit From The Massachusetts State Police 🐎
August 20, 2026
On Thursday, August 20th, our Junior Police Academy cadets were transported to our Ginny Smithers Pool to meet the Massachusetts State Police Marine Unit. Their dive unit explained how to use their high-tech equipment by demonstrating a dive and what they do in order to help with underwater investigations. Later on, the Massachusetts State Police brought two of their horses and staff from their Mounted Unit to explain the importance of and advantage of using horses for crowd control and security.
Water Day At JPA 💧
August 20, 2026
To blow off some steam before their graduation ceremony the next day, cadets at our Junior Police Academy were gifted with a relaxing Water Day with water balloon dodgeball and a bouncy house to celebrate all of their accomplishments from the week!
iCan Bike- Graduation Day 🎓
August 21, 2026
In a partnership with iCan Shine host iCan Bike — a life-changing program that helps individuals with disabilities learn how to ride a bike! Using adapted equipment, trained staff, and iCan Shine, riders gain the skills and confidence to become independent cyclists.
We are so proud of every participant who worked hard, pushed themselves out of their comfort zone, and celebrated new milestones on two wheels. Congratulations to all of the amazing riders who showed us what determination and joy look like in action!
Junior Police Academy- Graduation Day 🎓
August 21, 2026
On Friday, August 21st, we celebrated our Junior Police Academy graduation ceremony alongside the Somerville Police Department and Mayor Jake Wilson.
Congratulations to all of our graduated cadets! Your hard work has paid off!
A Summer at Dilboy Pool 🤽🏻♀️
August 24, 2026
With the early closure of our Ginny Smithers Pool, we are super happy to keep Dilboy Pool open longer as another resource to beat the summer heat!
The End Of Summer Archery 🏹
August 29, 2026
In partnership with On the Mark Archery, we were able to host Archery throughout the summer for grades 4-12 and ages 18+! In our first year of expanding into Archery, we can not wait to continue hosting for seasons to come!
Adult Co-Ed Kickball Champions- Bootleggers! 🔴
August 30, 2026
Congratulations to the Bootleggers for completely dominating this Adult Kickball season and taking home the Summer 2026 Championship Trophy!
Civic Day 2026 💚
Civic Day is back & better than ever! Join us Thursday, September 10, from 5-7:30 PM at City Hall & the City Hall Concourse for an evening packed with community, connection, and a whole lot of fun!
Activities include:
-Touch-A-Truck
-Music
-Fresh produce giveaways
-Food
-City services & resources
-Education & activities
-Meet City staff
And more-- we hope to see you there!
SomerStreets: Gilman Square Arts & Music Festival- Saturday, September 12th
Live music, local food, artists and makers, family-friendly activities, and more at Edward L. Leathers Park
From kid’s music and a Honk band to interactive circus activities and pumpkin painting, there’s free fun for the whole family at the upcoming SomerStreets: Gilman Square Arts & Music Festival.
Held on Saturday, September 12, from noon to 5 p.m. (rain date Sunday, September 13), this edition of the City’s SomerStreets series is co-hosted by the Gilman Square Neighborhood Council and the City of Somerville Arts and Culture Division. All events will take place at Edward Leathers Park (108 Walnut St.).
Festival highlights:
Interactive performances by Esh Circus
Entertainment from Cate the Great
Pumpkin painting with Neighborhood Produce
Local artists and makers
Food from Nibble Kitchen vendors and local favorites
A beer garden hosted by Winter Hill Brewing Company
Family-friendly activities and more
Music Lineup:
12–12:45 p.m.: Matt Heaton (kid’s music)
1– 1:45 p.m.: Pink Slip (ska punk)
2– 2:45 p.m.: Dom the Composer (R&B, gospel, folk)
3– 3:45 p.m.: Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band (Balkan-Klezmer-funk-Honk)
4– 4:45 p.m.: FM Collective (Latin, hip-hop, jazz)
The event is free and open to all. For updates and the complete entertainment schedule, visit somervilleartscouncil.org/events/gilman-sq-fest.
2026 Location Update: Edward Leathers Park
Due to ongoing construction along Pearl Street, this year’s festival will temporarily move to Edward L. Leathers Community Park and portions of Walnut Street. To make room for the festivities, Walnut Street will be closed between Pearl and Medford streets, and Skilton Avenue will also be closed.
Somerville's Annual Senior Picnic Returns September 10th
Somerville seniors are invited to a festive afternoon of food, music, and community during the City’s annual Senior Picnic on Thursday, September 10, at Trum Field (541 Broadway) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Meet or catch up with neighbors, chat with the Mayor and City Councilors, and enjoy lunch and music from a live band and DJ. City staff from Health and Human Services, Recreation, Somerville Police, Mobility, and more will be onsite sharing resources.
Admission to the picnic is free, but tickets are required. To reserve a spot, contact the Council on Aging at 617-625-6600 ext. 2319 by Friday, September 4. City-supported transportation to the picnic is limited and must be requested through the Council on Aging by September 1.