NEW CITY, NY – Supervisor George Hoehmann announced that effective Monday, March 16, 2020 all Clarkstown Community Centers are closed to the public through April 13, 2020 as we continue to monitor the spread of the coronavirus. Due to closures, Town Staff plan to implement a wide array of online activities for residents. The activities are to be broadcast on Facebook Live (https://www.facebook.com/TownOfClarkstown/) and the Town’s two public access channels as more individuals and families will be isolated at home with schools closed.

Activities will be filmed and broadcast at regular intervals on the town public access channels (Channel 78 Cablevision; Channel 35 Verizon) and on social media to build community recreation programs remotely. The activities will be conducted by town recreational staff with at home participation.

The activities are geared at assisting residents in maintaining an active recreation schedule while they are engaged in social distancing to limit the potential spread of Covid-19. According to Supervisor Hoehmann, “We expect to start putting up sessions on social media and our public access channels by Tuesday, March 17th and will grow the selection of opportunities each day allowing residents to engage in meaningful activity. We are taking this opportunity to use our resources in a unique fashion as we want our residents to do their part and isolate to stop the spread of this virus but to not be at a loss for activity. We hope to build out the selection quickly so as to offer ample opportunities to all of our residents.”

Some of the programs include the following:

Senior Citizen focused exercise classes
Learn to dance classes
Yoga Classes
Tai Chi classes
Basic Arts & Crafts classes geared at younger audiences using common items found around the home
Sports Instructional classes for young children that can be done at home
Online Trivia contests and other games
Book clubs
Cooking classes
Additional age appropriate activities to be developed by staff.

The recreation department is open to suggestions from residents for potential activities.

The activities will be broadcast at regular intervals daily (schedule to follow). They will remain on Facebook Live and uploaded to the Town’s youtube channel.

New Monitoring Program for Seniors and Persons at Risk

Supervisor Hoehmann is also announcing a new monitoring program for seniors and at risk persons living within the Town of Clarkstown. Residents are asked to notify the Supervisor’s office of any seniors and persons with medical conditions living in Clarkstown who would want a regular phone call to check in on the person of concern. This is a voluntary program in which town staff and volunteers will call seniors multiple times per week to check if the person needs household supplies, food or just to provide a friendly voice. If you are interested in adding anyone to the call list please call the Supervisor’s office at 845-639-2050.

Currently, over 1,200 seniors are enrolled in the Town senior citizen clubs which were suspended last week. The town is also aware of an additional 200 medically compromised adults. All of these individuals will be automatically added to the list.

In addition, Clarkstown is partnering with Meals on Wheels, which delivers over 450 meals daily to seniors and persons with disabilities, most within the town. During the COVID-19 crisis Meals on Wheels will be delivering more meals per day but reducing daily contact and thus the Meals on Wheels recipients will also be added to the call list.

According to Meals on Wheels Executive Director Kevin Hardy, “This is a great idea and will ensure regular check ins while everyone reduces physical contact over the coming weeks especially with seniors and medically compromised adults. I applaud the efforts of the Town of Clarkstown as it will make sure people are staying connected and are not alone by providing regular phone contact.” Meals on Wheels and the Town are seeking volunteers to assist in delivering meals and in making the check in calls.

According to Supervisor Hoehmann, “We have taken a number of steps and these are practical ways in which the town can serve its’ people, while reducing physical contact. Everyone needs to do their part and reduce the potential spread of COVID 19, especially for seniors and medically compromised persons. While we do this we can offer new remote programming and take care of our seniors with regular calls.”

Persons interested in volunteering or offering additional suggestions for potential recreation programs, should contact the Supervisor’s Office at (845) 639-2050.