Amherst Recreation Relocates to Wildwood as Town Names New Senior Services Chief

The town announced two notable administrative changes this week: the Amherst Recreation Department has relocated to Wildwood, and Town Manager Paul Bockelman has appointed Daniel Garcia as the new Director of Senior Services.

TOWN HALL

Amherst Recreation has officially moved to a new home at Wildwood, the town confirmed in a News Flash posted Friday. The department's new location takes effect immediately; residents seeking Recreation services should plan to visit the Wildwood site going forward.

In a separate announcement, Town Manager Paul Bockelman named Daniel Garcia as the town's next Director of Senior Services. Garcia is expected to begin the role on July 20.

The town is also accepting applications for one open resident seat on the Department of Public Works Building Committee, the temporary advisory body overseeing design and construction of a new DPW facility. Application review begins July 6. Separately, the town's Downtown Design Standards initiative — which establishes a shared vision for downtown development and invites public feedback — closes for public comment on July 1.

Residents should also note that Level 2 Water Use Restrictions remain in effect. While the town's water supply is described as stable, the restrictions are required under the town's Water Management Act Registration in response to the broader Connecticut River Valley drought.

COMMUNITY & ARTS

The Amherst Town Library's summer reading program, "Plant a Seed, Read!," continues through Friday, August 7, with challenges, prizes, and events for all ages. The library's upcoming week includes a Fiction Book Club meeting on Tuesday, June 30, at 1 p.m.; a Parade Bike Decorating event on Thursday, July 2, at 1 p.m.; a Slow Doodling virtual session on July 2 at 2 p.m.; and a Let's Play Mahjong! in-person gathering also on July 2 at 2 p.m.

For families with younger children, Sprinkler Storytime runs Tuesday, June 30, at 10 a.m., and Little Listeners meets Wednesday, July 1, at 10 a.m. Note that the library will be closed Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5, and will reopen Monday, July 6.

Looking just ahead on the community calendar, the Amherst Pride Parade and Celebration is set for Sunday, June 28, featuring a festive parade, live performances, and a community resource fair. Also on June 28: open-play pickleball at Mill River and Sandlot Baseball.

COMING UP

- **Sun., June 28:** Amherst Pride Parade and Celebration; Open-Play Pickleball at Mill River; Sandlot Baseball - **Mon., June 29:** Little Art Makers at the library, 3:30 p.m.; Amherst Housing Authority Board of Commissioners meeting - **Tue., June 30:** ATL Reads Fiction Book Club, 1 p.m. (in-person); Sprinkler Storytime, 10 a.m.; Virtual Joint Meeting of Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee; Public Art Commission meeting - **Wed., July 1:** Little Listeners, 10 a.m.; Story Makers Studio, 3 p.m.; Downtown Design Standards public comment deadline - **Thu., July 2:** Parade Bike Decorating at library, 1 p.m.; Slow Doodling (virtual), 2 p.m.; Let's Play Mahjong! (in-person), 2 p.m.; Tots & Tunes, 10 a.m. - **Fri., July 3:** Library closed (through July 5); Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks at UMass Amherst's McGuirk Alumni Stadium South Lawn - **Sun., July 6:** Library reopens; DPW Building Committee application review begins (July 6)

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

No new coverage from Patch, MetroWest Daily News, or The Boston Globe in this cycle.