This page is dedicated to providing students and parents with information and links to physical activities outside of physical education. My hope is that with a quality education in the classroom, students will choose to participate in physical activity outside of class. Although participating in organized leagues is fun and provides an opportunity for children to socialize and meet new peers they wouldn't normally be acquainted with, many of the listed activities can also be done with family or friends. It is not just important for students to be physically active and engaged. There are many benefits that adults and siblings gain from participation in physical activity. Many of the local organizations offer additional programs for adults as well.
On Your Own
- Go for a walk: The majority of Plainville's streets are lined with sidewalks and crosswalks. If it is a nice day, go for a walk with your family. Maybe you can take the family dog for a walk instead of chaining him/her in the back yard. Try to pick one location a week that you will walk to rather than drive. This may be as simple as being ready a few minutes earlier in the morning so that students can walk to school.
- Norton Park has a measured one mile loop to walk around
- Plainville High School has a 1/4 mile track that is available for the public to use whenever not occupied by local sporting events
- Interested in the benefits of walking, look at this video
- Hiking: There are a number of areas nearby to hike at little or no cost. Hikes vary in length and difficulty. If not familiar with hiking, begin with a short hike of an easy difficulty. Many state parks and hiking areas have an office you can contact for information about hikes in their region.
- Metacomet Trail travels through a number of towns nearby including Plainville, Southington and Farmington. There are a number of locations to park and access this trail.
- Bear Mountain-Salisbury, CT (1 hour and 45minutes away)
- Lions Head-Salisbury, CT (1 hour and 30 minutes away)
- Sleeping Giant-Hamden, CT (30 minutes away)
- Talcott Mountain-Simsbury, CT (26 minutes away)
- Bike riding: Plainville has a number of places to safely ride bikes including the local parks and schools as well as the local bike trail that begins at Wheeler School.
- Plainville Bicycle Travel Way: This short trail is about 8 feet wide and connects from Wheeler School to the Middle School of Plainville and Toffolon School.
- Farmington Valley Trails Council: Many nearby towns are linked by a number of trails funded and maintained through the Farmington Valley Trails Council. Many of these trails have scenic views along the Farmington River.
- Visit a park: Depending on the season there is much to do at many of the parks in the area.
- Paderewski Park: Enjoy some fishing during the summer months as well as a baseball field, softball field, basketball courts, playscape and some field space to play soccer, throw a ball or just run around
- Norton Park: Baseball field, softball field, soccer fields, swimming pool (seasonal), playscape, basketball, skate park, picnicking and plenty of open grass space.
- Walnut Hill Park (New Britain): Great place to sled during the snowy winter months.
- Go for a swim: Plainville is a community that has an abundance of opportunities year round to swim. In the summer time we are privileged with a very nice town pool Elizabeth Berner Pool located at Norton Park and the Splashpad at Paderewski Park. In the winter time you can swim at the Wheeler YMCA or at open swim nights at Plainville High School run through the recreation department.
Local Organizations
- Plainville Recreation Department: A variety of information on local parks and facilities as well as many youth programs at a low cost.
- Farmington Sports Arena: Youth soccer leagues and camps available year round.
- Oakwood Soccer: Youth soccer leagues and camps available year round.
- Plainville's Wheeler YMCA: The YMCA in Plainville provides a number of activities for youth and adults including: A fitness center, lap pool/multi-purpose/family adventure pool, gymnasium, climbing wall, walking track and more.
- New Britain YWCA Dance: Provide an opportunity for students to learn a variety of dance styles as well as various other community based activities.
Wondering why physical activity is so important for our children, view this interesting documentary "Everybody Walk" about The Walking Revolution. Also, are you looking for ideas of how to bring Physical Education home? Check out PE Central for activity ideas. Most of these are small mini lesson's that reinforce specific skills and concepts. Many are for small and large group applications. Physical activity is more fun with more people, so get a group together and move! However, some activities may be done as an individual. Exercise is just as beneficial to your physical health when done individually as it would be if done in a group.