CE&P Annual Report 2023

Community Engagement & Programming 2023 Annual Report

Acknowledgements Department Mission The mission of Easton's Community Engagement & Programming Department is to positively impact the well-being of all Easton Residents through inclusive activities, engagement opportunities, and programming.

Our office liaises with both the Recreation Commission, and the Council on Aging to understand and meet community needs, develop policies, and achieve each board’s respective charge. We owe a great deal to our board members. Their commitment and passion for improving our community cannot be overstated.

Council on Aging

Recreation Commission

Matthew Soeldner, Chair Donna Welch, Vice Chair Jean Shearing Marjorie Goldstein-Fradin Christine Midura Jim Benson Lynn Cleveland

Tana Babbitt, Chair Natalie Clouser, Vice Chair Meredith Keach, CPC Liaison Michelle Durrance Jennifer Gilabert Melissa Hartz Sarah Morrison

To the Community A note from the Department As we reflect on this past year of programs, parks, and the people that make them each special, our department would like to express our profound gratitude to this community for your support. The kind words, enthusiasm, and appreciation you have displayed at every turn is remarkable. You have all made this year so enjoyable.

The information compiled in this annual report details the work we do in serving you. It includes data on our reach through programs, information on parks, employment, and echoes our office’s values and priorities.

Our department is proud of what we’ve accomplished and provided this community over the last 365 days, but we still hope to do more. As we enter 2024, our department will strive to continuously improve our offerings for you and your families. In addition to providing engaging activities, our team will reaffirm our commitment to building an affordable, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all residents.

A closing note we will leave you with: It’s often said that some departments and their staff are the backbone of a community. That is absolutely true. We owe so much to dedicated essential workers. In our office, we view our work a bit differently. In our eyes, Community Engagement & Programming plays a different role. We view ourselves not as the backbone, but as the smile and the outstretched hand in our town, welcoming you and your loved ones to thrive alongside your neighbors, doing what makes you your fullest self.

We appreciate you taking the time to read this report, and hope to see you in our programs soon. Thank you and be well!

Table of Contents CE&P 2023 Summary

Page 5

Council On Aging Summary

Page 6

Recreation Commission Summary

Page 7

Recreational Assets - Inventory

Page 8

Recreational Assets - Rentals

Page 9

Recreational Assets - Visitation

Page 10

Participation & Engagement

Page 11

Participation & Engagement

Page 12

Satisfaction Survey Summary

Page 13

Program Highlights

Page 14

Program Highlights - Our Why

Page 15

Financial Overview

Page 16

Staffing Summary

Page 17

Staffing Summary - Highlights

Page 18

How We Connect

Page 19

Community Partners

Page 20

CE&P Summary 2023

Guided by the volunteers who serve on the Council on Aging and the Recreation Commission, the Department seeks to provide programming and services that enrich the lives of the residents of Easton. Using various funding sources such as the annual town budget, the Executive Office of Elder affairs formula grant, other grants, and donations, we can provide exciting and supportive programming.

Our newly quarterly program brochure, “Engaged in Easton”, which catalogs recreational activities being offered by season, has reached nearly three thousand residents, highlighting all that our office has to offer. The Council on Aging’s newsletter, The Coordinator, highlights programs specifically for older adults and the Town website and social media accounts, providing one cohesive platform for highlighting our programming offerings. One thousand two hundred editions of this newsletter went out each month to Easton residents. These publications have been historically offered at frequently visited locations around town such as the post office, town hall, and the library. This year, we were able to expand the distribution to new sites including Shovel Works Apartments, Avalon, Roche Brothers, and North Easton Savings Bank.

Easton’s new community program portal has been used by nearly three thousand residents and helped to facilitate registration for our activities.

Our office's programming efforts continue to offer new and family friendly activities such as family fishing clinics, seasonal card making classes, and pumpkin decorating programs. This year, we are proud to highlight our first wave of inclusive programs, offered to engage all residents, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities. Additionally, our office has offered school break programs, which offers parents in Easton half-day childcare.

Longstanding traditions such as the Egg Hunt, Children’s Races, Middle School March Madness Tournament, and Touch a Truck events returned as community favorites, and saw record participation. In total, our office provided over fifteen hundred hours of programs to families, and over twenty-eight thousand hours of programming to seniors.

The Town Pool provided recreation for all ages during the summer months. Similar to past years, neighboring towns experienced lifeguard shortages and unanticipated closures of their aquatic facilities, while Easton’s facility and lessons remained uninterrupted. Our sincere gratitude goes out to our colleagues in Easton Police, Fire, and our Department of Public Works for their continued support of our Touch-A-Truck initiative, and for engaging with patrons throughout the summer in new and creative ways.

In addition to programming, our office introduced our newest staff member, Shea Matta. Shea joins us as our Administrative Assistant, and plays a pivotal role in offering recreational opportunities for residents.

COA Summary 2023

The Council on Aging (COA) in Easton comprises seven resident representatives advocating for the aging population, supported by key staff members including Joseph Pitti, Shea Matta, and Jeff Page.

Meeting monthly, the group discusses aging initiatives, benefit changes, and town programming, with Frothingham Hall hosting various programs like yoga, healthy eating, and arts and crafts. New offerings like senior education sessions and meditation have been introduced under COA's guidance, totaling 20 fitness and well-being programs weekly, serving over 10,000 residents.

Additionally, initiatives like the monthly newsletter, expanded distribution sites, and volunteer efforts, including SHINE assistance, underscore the COA's commitment, supported by various community partners and contributors.

Recreation Summary 2023

The Recreation Commission, comprised of 7 members, meets monthly to guide and develop programs, including returning favorites like T-ball and track and field, impacting 2,367 residents.

New initiatives such as family fishing clinics and inclusive activities for children have been implemented under the Commission's guidance, alongside public advisement on various town initiatives like park restoration and recreation portal development.

Furthermore, the Community Paramedicine Program introduced water safety initiatives, and the Engaged in Easton online publication facilitated broader outreach, garnering 10,000 impressions, and enhancing communication with residents.

Recreational Assets Park Inventory

In addition to the people running our programs, recreational spaces are pivotal to running our department. Our team is responsible for operating, programming, and facilitating rentals for town-owned recreation assets. These spaces include parks, fields, our pool, and Frothingham Hall.

FACILITIES: Playgrounds

3

Multi-use fields

2

Basketball

2

Softball

2

TBall

2

Bocce Court

1

Pickleball

6

Tennis

2

Pool Community Center

1 1

COMMUNITY CENTER

5,680sqft PARK SPACE

+32 acres

ALI’S, UNIONVILLE, TORIE’S, PETERSON, KEACH, POOL

Recreational Assests Visitation Numbers - Frothingham Hall 2019- 10,272

2020 - 2,493

2021 - 3,291

2022 - 7,365

2023 - 10,002

With the introduction of evening and weekend programming, as well as the option for rentals, Frothingham Hall has undergone a transformative evolution from a community center primarily utilized during the day, to a bustling hub of activity seven days a week. These expanded offerings have not only provided residents with more opportunities to engage in recreational and educational activities but have also turned Frothingham Hall into a vibrant and inclusive gathering place for individuals of all ages and interests.

Participation & Engagement Council on Aging & Day Programs - 2023

+10,000 Visits 3 Destination programs 20 Weekly Fitness Programs

+28,000

Hours of program service

+1,200 Monthly Brochures ~40 Social Activities & Special Events

Participation & Engagement Recreation - 2023

+2,300 Participants ~2,500 Rec Desk Users 20 Educational & Learn-to Programs

~90 Programs 10,000 Brochure Impressions 15 Programs >$5/session

Program Satisfaction Survey Summary

Surveys were conducted using a 5-point Likert scale. These assessments were shared following all programs in each quarter. Questions prompted participants on their perceptions of the program quality, facility quality, value of the program, and the quality of the instructor.

SCORES Program Quality

4.6/5.0

Program Communication

4.6/5.0

Quality of the Instructor

4.6/5.0

Facility Quality

4.4/5.0

Value of the Program w/ Respect to Cost

4.5/5.0

Program Highlights Department Priorities

New Programs

Drums Alive Pumpkin Decorating Bocce League Family Pottery Mother's Day Card Class Family Fishing Clinic Author Talks Horsemanship Skiing at Blue Hills SERMREC Trip Family Cooking Program Patriots Hall of Fame Learn-to Code Ballroom Dance Ukulele Lessons Foundations of Meditation Youth Golf And More!

Women in Programs

Youth Field Hockey March Madness - 6, 7, 8th Mommy & Me Stroller Striders Women’s Field Hockey Co-ed TBall Women’s Pickup Basketball Cupcake Bouqet’s w/ Easton’s Women of Today Horseback Riding

Rec-Quity & Inclusion InclYOUsion Sports HOPe & ARC Coffee Talks & Social Hours Intergenerational & Family Programs New Program Scholarship Providers $5/day priority

Program Highlights Why these priorities?

New Programs

Offering new and diverse programs, while broadening our definition of ‘recreational activities’, is vital for engaging residents. These initiatives provide opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds and interests to participate, encouraging inclusivity and well-being. By continuously piloting new activities, we enrich community life, promote personal growth, and strengthen connections among residents.

Women in Programs

Providing programs specifically tailored for women of all ages is a priority for our office. Research indicates these groups participate in recreational activities at lower rates (10-20% less) than their male counterparts. Studies conducted by the Women's Sports Foundation suggest that engaging girls in recreation promotes physical health, and enhances overall life satisfaction and well-being. By offering these programs, we can empower women and girls to pursue their passions, build confidence, and lead fulfilling lives.

Rec-Quity & Inclusion

Our mission is to offer meaningful programs for all residents. We will strive to remove barriers and bring residents into our programs. We feel strongly that residents should not be defined by differences, but rather by shared humanity, the bonds, and the passions that unite us. Our promise to the community is that we will continue to provide affordable and inclusive opportunities for all.

Staffing Summary Recreation & COA - 2023

RECREATION Professional Staff:

3

Seasonal:

17

Hourly:

8

Volunteers:

78

Contracted Organizations

7

COA & DAY PROGRAMS Professional Staff:

3

Seasonal:

0

Hourly:

11

Volunteers:

13

137 TOTAL:

PROGRAMMERS

Staff Summary Staffing Highlights

Professional Development: Joe Pitti: Massachusetts Recreation & Parks Assoc.

Conference Attendee Certified Lifeguard Manager FEMA Emergency Response Certified Parks & Recreation Professional

Jeff Page: Massachusetts Recreation & Parks Assoc. Conference Attendee Reframing Aging - Programming & AgeFriendly Communities Training Record Retention Training Social Media Best Practices Training PCI Compliance Training Microsoft Office Suite Training

Shea Matta: Massachusetts Recreation & Parks Assoc.

Conference Attendee ADA in Recreation Training American Red Cross CPR/FA/AED training SafeServ Certified Microsoft Office Suite Training

Volunteer & Hourly Staff:

Preseason coaches/facilitator meetings Program-specific coaching plans Diffusing outbursts & Emergency Response Inclusive communication and requesting modifications

How We Connect As a department, we prioritize making our community aware of what we have to offer.

Our office has dedicated time to providing residents with new quarterly program guides, monthly brochures, frequent web updates, and a new Community Program Portal. These offerings serve as comprehensive sources for programs, community events, and resources. We encourage you to visit our website and stay up to date on what our office has to offer!

Through these efforts, we strive to foster a dynamic and inclusive community where every individual can participate in enriching recreational experiences, and thrive.

Community Partners Thank you!

Community partners and collaborators play a pivotal role in helping our department achieve our mission. These groups enhance access to resources, provide valuable expertise, and allow us to offer diverse programming opportunities. Through collaborative efforts, these partnerships expand the reach and impact of recreational initiatives, ensuring they cater to the evolving needs and interests of the community. The groups below have helped our office to empower individuals and families to lead healthier, more active lifestyles.

Even More In 2024!