Recreation Department

2020 Winter program registration begins January 2nd. Register here.

The Recreation Coordinator reports directly to the City Manager. Six full-time employees staff the Recreation Department. The staff includes a Recreation Center Supervisor, Pierce; Athletic Complex; Manager, two laborers, and one Administrative Assistant. There are over; 20 seasonal employees who assist with a variety of programs sponsored by the Department.

The East Providence Parks & Recreation Department provides year-round leisure time services to the community. Programs include activities for pre-school, youth, adults, and the physically and mentally challenged. It produces many seasonal special events such as the Dolly Searle Memorial Golf Tournament, Annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa's Arrival, Turkey Trot Road Race, Summer Concert Series and Independence Day Celebration. The Recreation Department is responsible for the coordination, scheduling and permitted use of all activities held at 20 ball fields, 12 outdoor tennis courts, 28 outdoor basketball courts, Agawam Softball Complex, Hunt's Mills recreation area, 15 neighborhood parks, 3 conservation areas, and the Recreation and Activities Center. Additionally, the Department conducts; both the scheduling and maintenance of the 25 acres Pierce Athletic Complex and assists the Winterfest Committee and East Providence Heritage Days, Inc. in coordinating their annual events.

The Department and its staff maintain professional membership in both the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) and the Rhode Island Recreation and Parks Association (RIRPA). East Providence Recreation Department has been the recipient of numerous awards for the New England region of the NRPA. In 1986 it received the Class III (for cities and towns with a population of 55,000 or less) First Place Arts & Humanities Award for its Heritage Festival which was again cited by the NRPA in 1991 for an Honorable Mention in the same category. In 1987 NRPA presented the department with a Second Place Arts & Humanities Award for its CityArts Program. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also recognized the department's senior programs with a Project Health Award in 1986. The Hershey Company whose annual Hershey Track & Field Competition attracts youth from throughout the nation presented the department with an Outstanding Local Program Award in 1997 given in recognition of East Providence Parks & Recreation Department's commitment and dedication to youth.

The administrative offices of the Recreation Department are located within the Senior Center at 610 Waterman Avenue. Indoor recreational activities are held at the Recreation Center located at 610 Waterman Avenue. The Parks Division is located at 60 Commercial Way.