BPRD_COVID19 (1)

Burlington Parks and Recreation
Burlington Parks and Recreation


(BPRD) finding physically distant
(BPRD) finding physically distant

and virtual ways to connect with
and virtual ways to connect with


the Burlington community during
the Burlington community during


COVID-19.
COVID-19.



Connect with us on Social!
Connect with us on Social!







: BurlingtonRecreation




: burlington_recreation





: Burlington_rec

videos


BPRD made a variety of videos throughout

the COVID-19 pandemic thus far. The most
popular of which being the Silly Walk video
which had over 33,000 views and was
featured on the news. The video was also

re-created and shared with us by other
departments across the country. Other
videos included a fun up-beat park safety
video, a top-secret tree lighting video, virtual

programs and tik-toks! These videos
boosted visitors to our social media pages
and were a great virtual way for BPRD to
connect with the community. Click on the

video to view it.

covid-19 information



BPRD used it's social media platforms to
consistently provide up to date information
on COVID-19 as it related to Parks and
Recreation.



Information was also shared regarding
other Town Departments and every effort
was made to be transparent with residents

to ensure their safety when utilizing
Burlington Parks or accessing Recreation
Programs.

Easter bunny brigade



BPRD partnered with Wegmans to bring the
Easter Bunny to the families of Burlington.

Staff and the bunny drove all around
Burlington for two full days stopping for a
physically distant visit at each registered
house. Over 200 households registered!



The bunny delivered a smile and a wave as
well as a good bag filled with Easter treats.
This event was free to the community.

virtual great backyard campout


BPRD transformed the in-person Great
American Campout event into a physically
distant version called the Great Backyard

Campout. Families were given supplies to
make smores as well as a complete
Campout Guide that included recipe ideas,
campfire songs, activities and more!



Families also received a DIY Fort Building
guide to create a variety of cool forts with
household items!

spreading gratitude


BPRD has consistently posted to social

media encouraging gratitude and
thankfulness throughout the community
during the pandemic. "Thankful Thursday"

posts in appreciation of healthcare workers,
teachers, grocery store workers and more
were posted and shared by the community.


The local superhero of the week challenge

allowed community members to nominate
those they felt were making a difference in
the community. There were tons of
submissions for this weekly challenge!

Community connectors


BPRD made an effort to connect with
community members who were not yet
ready to return to in-person physically
distant recreation programs. This was

accomplished through community
connectors such as our Community Cook(ie)
Book where residents could submit their
favorite cookie recipe that we turned into a

virtual cook book. Another popular one was
our pet parade where residents could share
their furry friends with one another!



Finally the most popular was changing the
lights on our Town Common to red and
white to honor the graduating seniors.

pop-up programs


BPRD offered a variety of pop-up programs

that were physically distant for the
community to participate in. A few examples
are highlighted below.



BPRD ran a virtual paint night the whole
family could enjoy. A StoryWalk (R) was
installed around one of the walking paths
and was a big hit. Finally BPRD celebrated

Earth Day by mailing a pop-up program as a
surprise to randomly selected households in
the community.

fun at home


BPRD posted activities and program options
for families to have fun at home throughout
the pandemic.



These were activity options that could be
completed at any time. BPRD made an

effort to offer diverse activity options that
met a variety of different interests.
Examples include ceramics at home, nature
scavenger hunts, crafts and more!

take home bags/boxes


Take home bags were offered as a program

option for families throughout the
pandemic. Both the REC April Break bags
and Boredom Buster Bags offered an

activity for each day of the week! New
theme week bags are already made and are
set to be released this year.


BPRD also offered free sensory bags with

fun sensory toys and goodies!


Finally BPRD offered themed take home
bags/boxes for holidays throughout the year

such as Halloween and Hanukkah.

community contests


Community contests were run by BPRD to
encourage social connection from home. A
few examples are shown below including

The Great Pumpkin Contest, Gingerbread
House Competition and The Burlington
Garden Contest.



BPRD made an effort to offer a variety of
contests that reached a wide range of ages
and interests throughout the year.

HOLIDAY SEASON EVENTS


BPRD offered a variety of Zoom events for

the community during the holiday season
including Cookie Decorating with Santa,
Breakfast with Santa and Bed-time stories

with Mrs. Claus.


Additionally BPRD offered phone calls from
Santa, a live-streamed Tree Lighting with
Santa and Physically Distant Photos with

Santa!