Parks & Recreation

Dunellen Parks & Recreation
355 North Ave
Dunellen, NJ 08812
(732) 968-3033, ext 8

Alex Miller, Superintendent | amiller@dunellenborough.com
Kelly Seader, Program Coordinator | kseader@dunellenborough.com

The Dunellen Recreation Department & Parks Commission is dedicated to providing recreational programs, events & sports to the residents of Dunellen by utilizing the Borough's parks and schools to help enhance the lives of the community. Its mission is to create recreational opportunities for growth and enhancement by developing an array of diverse, affordable programs and multicultural events that promote community service and environmental awareness while meeting the physical, mental, social, and psychological needs of our community.

Stay Connected - Programs, Events and Other Borough News
Create an account at www.dunellenparksandrecreation.com and automatically receive notifications about Recreation programs, Borough events, Senior Citizen activities and other news about the Borough. It’s a great way for residents, visitors and Dunellen’s business owners to stay informed.


How to Register for Programs

Go to www.dunellenparksandrecreation.com
Log into your account or “create an account.”
Go to Register>Programs and follow the prompts. 

Programs and Events

  Ongoing Register now for Rec Summer Camp for ages 5-12; 9 weeks from 6/17-8/16
  February 29 Deadline to register for Adult Woodshop class; begins 3/12
  March 1 Deadline to order a Hometown Heroes banner
  March 8 Deadline to register for Baseball/Softball for PK-8th grade; begins 4/20
  March 22 Deadline to register for Tennis for grades 3-8; begins 4/13
  March 24 Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Columbia Park at 12:50 PM; Dunellen residents only
  April 1 Deadline to register for Spring Track for grades 3-8; begins April 18
  April 20 Opening Day Parade & Ceremony from Washington Memorial Park to McCoy Park
  April 20 Movies in the Park in Washington Memorial Park; time and movie TBA
  May 4 Doubles Tennis Tournament at Columbia Park at 9 AM
  May 27 Memorial Day Parade from VFW to Washington Park at 10 AM
  June 20 Rec Night at the Ballpark - with fireworks! 6:35 PM game at TD Bank Ballpark*
  *For tickets to Rec Night at the Ballpark, click Register>Store.

Adult Jogging Club | Club meets every other week on Sundays at 8 AM at Washington Memorial Park. All levels are welcome. Free but pre-registration is required. 

Dunellen Outings Community Committee (DOCC) Walking Group | This is a fun way to get in your steps and meet up with friends and neighbors. The group meets at the gazebo at Columbia Park on the following days and times: Tuesdays and  Thursdays at 7:30 AM and Saturdays at 8:00 AM (except for Saturdays when Walks & Talks with the Mayor is scheduled). Group may cancel due to inclement weather; the group pauses regular walks over the winter months. Free. No registration required.

Dunellen Recreation Spring Open Soccer is back this spring!
We NEED Volunteer Coaches! The Spring Open Soccer program offers one practice per week and is run by volunteer staff. Practices will include skills development, drills and some informal game playing. This is a low commitment activity. Open to Dunellen Residents only. Begins week of April 15 and ends the week of May 20 at Columbia Park. Registration Fee: $0 - yes, it's free! Pre-registration is required to participate. Enrollment is capped based on the number of volunteer staff members. Spots are limited so register early. Register at Open Soccer.
The Open Soccer Program needs your help! If you are interested in volunteering to coach or assist with coaching, please contact Recreation Program Coordinator Kelly Seader, at kseader@dunellenborough.com
It’s not too late to register!

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Spring Track with Coach Zak for grades 3-8 |
Athletes will participate in numerous events such as sprinting, jumping, throwing and hurdling. Each practice will include a proper warm-up ranging from jogging, dynamic flexibility and technical training, followed by event specific drills to increase their coordination, agility, speed and endurance through a fun team oriented environment. Session is April 18 to May 23 on Thursdays from 6:00-7:30 PM at the Sydney McLaughlin Track at Columbia Park. Registration Fee: $50.00* includes Dunellen Recreation t-shirt. Participants must wear sneakers and bring their own water. *Non-residents add $15. After 4/1, add $20 late fee and participant's t-shirt is not guaranteed; registration fee will not be adjusted. Register at Spring Track.

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Rec Summer Camp for ages 5-12 | Sign up by the day ($60/day) or the week ($250/week). Register at Rec Summer Camp.

Kids Summer Camp Flyer - Made with PosterMyWall


Hometown Heroes Banner Orders | The Borough of Dunellen is pleased to offer the Hometown Heroes Banner Program as a tribute to past and present service members of Dunellen. Banners will be hung from light poles on North and N. Washington Avenues in downtown Dunellen from May until the end of November of each year. Banners are removed for the winter months and then rehung in May of the following year.  To order: Hometown Heroes Banners. Pay $170 online using a credit card (plus 3% service charge) or send a check or money order payable to "Dunellen Recreation" to Dunellen Recreation, 355 North Ave, Dunellen, NJ 08812.  After you complete your order online, please email a quality image of the honoree to Program Coordinator Kelly Seader at kseader@dunellenborough.comBanners ordered in the months of September, October, November, December, January and February will be hung in May before Memorial Day. Banners ordered in the months of March, April, May, June, July and August will be hung in November before Veterans Day.
 

Dunellen Outings Community Committee
Members
Faith Thompson
Denise Allen
Sharon Stewart
Marianne Cummins
Nicole Peguero




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Dunellen Recreation's Youth Baseball (ages 4-8) and Softball (grades 1-8) programs. 
The Opening Day parade, ceremony and games are scheduled for Saturday, April 20. We're looking forward to a fantastic season 

Registration Deadline Friday, March 8
For players who register by 3/8, registration includes a team shirt and baseball cap/softball visor. After 3/8, registrants will be assessed a $20 late fee and will not be guaranteed a team shirt or cap/visor. 

Equipment: All players are required to provide their own batting helmet, bat, mitt and sneakers or baseball/softball shoes with rubber cleats. Shorts are not allowed. 

Volunteers
All coaches for this program are volunteers; we can only offer as many teams as we have volunteers. If you'd like to volunteer as coach or assistant coach for your child's team, please contact Rec Program Coordinator Kelly Seader (kseader@dunellenborough.com) or (732) 968-3033, x8 for a special registration discount code BEFORE you register your player. Discounts cannot be applied to your account after registration has been completed.

All volunteers are required to take the Borough's background screening. For new volunteers who don't yet have their Rutgers SAFETY certification, the Borough requires you take the 3 hour online course. Both expenses are reimbursable by the Borough upon timely submission of receipts to Kelly Seader.

Baseball
T-Ball | Ages 4-5 years old (Players must be 4 years old by 4/20/24.)
Registration fee: $50 
Practices: Tuesday or Thursday from 6:30-7:30 pm, depending on coach's availability and field availability
Games: One weeknight (T or Th) AND Saturdays at 9:00 AM in Dunellen or Middlesex

Coach Pitch | Ages 6-8 years old
Registration fee: $50 
Practice: Monday or Wednesday from 6:30-7:30 pm, depending on coach's availability and field availability
Games: One weeknight (M or W) AND Saturdays at 10:30 AM in Dunellen or Middlesex

Girls Softball (Somerville Baseball Inc. Softball Division)
*Must have a minimum of 10 players and a volunteer coach and assistant

Rookie League | Grades 1-3
Registration fee: $75
Practice: Weekday evening based on coach's availability and field availability
Games: TBA

Minor League | Grades 4-5
Registration fee: $75
Practice: Weekday evening based on coach's availability and field availability
Games: TBA

Major League | Grades 6-8
Registration fee: $75
Practice: Weekday evening based on coach's availability and field availability
Games: TBA

*Non-residents add $15 to all registration fees for baseball and softball programs.

Refund Policy
A full refund minus a $20 administrative fee will be issued if written notice of player's withdrawal is provided by April 12 to Recreation Program Coordinator Kelly Seader at kseader@dunellenborough.com. Questions? Call (732) 968-3033, x8. No refunds will be issued after that date.
Register at: https://dunellennj.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29877



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Game. Set. MATCH! 
Dunellen Recreation Youth Tennis for Grades 3-8
Dunellen Recreation is once again offering Spring Youth Tennis for children in grades 3-8. Players develop tennis skills such as hand eye coordination, strokes, serves, speed and agility and more with fun games and drills. Come get trained by coaches and members of the 2023 Varsity High School Playoff team. Register by 3/22 to avoid $20 late fee. Dunellen tennis T-shirt is included in registration, but not guaranteed for late registrations. 

RECREATION TENNIS for grades 3-8 for drills and skills development
Session dates: 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/11, 5/18, 5/25
Grades 3-5 (Beginner): Saturdays from 9-10 AM
Grades 5-8 (Intermediate): Saturdays from 10-11 AM
Registration Fee: $65; add $15 for non-residents

CLUB TENNIS for grades 6-8 for competitive play
Players trying to take it to the next level. Prepare yourself for High School Tennis and register for club tennis.
Session dates: 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21
Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 PM
Registration Fee: $65; add $15 for non-residents
Register at: https://dunellennj.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29879

Sign up for BOTH Recreation Tennis and Club Tennis and save $35!
A full refund minus a $20 administrative fee will be issued if written notice of player's withdrawal is provided by April 10th to Recreation Program Coordinator Kelly Seader at kseader@dunellenborough.com. Questions? Call (732) 968-3033, x8. No refunds will be issued after that date.

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Dunellen Hometown Heroes Banner | Deadline March 1
Due by March 1st for Spring 2024 display. Order at dunellenparksandrecreation.com
Banners will be hung from light poles on North and N. Washington Avenues in downtown Dunellen from May to November. Banners are $170 each. Order at www.dunellenparksandrecreation.com>Programs>Order a Hometown Heroes Banner