Past Events: 2021

Announcing: The Second Annual Westport Egg Hunt

Ray Vega In Concert

Thursday July 22 at 7:00pm

Join us for a Tent sale at the Park on July 3rd to raise funds for our Movies in the Park series this summer.

What: Tent Sale - Furniture, Antiques, Knick-Knacks, and Clothing

Where: Ballard Park Lawn

When: July 3rd 9am - 4pm

Donate an item to Ballard Park to benefit Moves in the Park, or reserve a space for $50 to sell you own treasures.

For More info: BallardParkNY@gmail.com

Easter Egg Hunt - Saturday April 3rd

From the Westport Youth Commission:

“Please join us at our beautiful Ballard Park for a safe and fun Easter Egg hunt this Saturday from 10-11am.

We will have a staggered start to allow for our littlest residents to have some time to seek and find before letting the more seasoned hunters loose.

Covid Safety Notice

Please make sure that all participants wear a mask and practice proper social distancing. We will have volunteers on hand to monitor health and safety.

All participants must be free from any quarantine requirements and not exhibiting any physical symptoms of illness.

Each family will need to fill out an health attestation form with contact info at the event. These forms will also be used to pick a raffle winner for a special surprise!

So excited to see the emergence of some Springtime fun in Westport!

Oh and please BYOB- bring your own basket!!! See you Saturday!”

2021 Ice Rink is Open

Press Release - February 2, 2021 

Winter Fun in Ballard Park - A Story of Community Engagement

Westport— Ballard Park Foundation is delighted to announce that The Ballard Park ice rink in the center of Westport, NY is open for skating! Local volunteers, board members of the Ballard Park Foundation, the Westport Youth Commission, and members of the Westport Fire Department teamed up to make the rink possible. The work began on January 9 with the construction of the rink wall and moved on to laying the ice. Now, a few weeks and many hours of volunteer work later, it is ready for fun. Bring your sleds or snowshoes too and enjoy the “Inn Hill” adjacent to the skating rink, as generations of families have done for years of winter fun. 

The Ballard Park Board would like to recognize and give a special thank you to Shannon Morton (Westport Youth Commission President), Tommy and Morgan Conley and extended family, Adam Perry (Westport Fire Department) and David Napper (Westport Youth Commission and Westport Fire Department member) for their time and commitment to the project. There are several sets of skates outside the warming hut that can be shared, and donations of outgrown skates are encouraged. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the warming hut will not be open this season—so dress warmly and bring a thermos of hot chocolate!  

Ballard Park’s mission is to support and maintain a park in Westport that brings people together.  The Park is a place for people to gather, attend events, and enjoy open spaces.  The Park is funded by charitable contributions and grants and is governed by a local Board of Directors including Pam August, Donna Beal, Mary Davis, Dawn Gay, Scott Gibree, Andy Malloy, Debbie Pastore, Jane Preston, Rick Rockefeller, Joan Simon, and Jessica Storey. 

Ice Skate Drive

Ballard Park is accepting used hockey and figure skates to be used by anyone who does not have skates at our annual Ice Rink.

Skates can be donated and left at the Warming Hut. A box is provided for any donate skates.

Thank you for all who have skates to donate. They will bring joy to may.

Celebrate the Holidays

Take a family photo, enjoy the lights and Christmas tree at the Pavilion - and feel free to add your own handmade ornament to the tree.

Warming Hut Closed Due to Covid

The warming hut, at the Lyn Rothwell skating rink, will not be open for the 2020/2021 winter season. Benches have been added outside for putting on skates. Don’t have skates? No problem. A bin of skates will be left outside for anyone to use if they don’t have sakes.

Summer Concert Series

Our summer concert series, which was on hold in 2020 due to the Covid-19 induced “NY on Pause” mandate from the State of New York, is now rebooked for 2021!

Look for more info on our Concert Series for dates and musical acts.

Summer Games

Summer nights and summer games on the Ballard Park lawn. Typically on Thursday nights in July & August. Lawn games and board games for all ages. Come out, join in, bring a picnic, and watch the sunset from the park.

For information on Summer Games contact us at BallarParkNY@gmail.com

Buy Summer Party Tickets

Summer Party - July 31, 2021!  

After a long year, we look forward to resuming this beloved Westport tradition.  

The flower gardens have been planted, the beach has spruced up thanks to the youth commission and our volunteers

The pavilion has been reshingled, and we are nearly ready for summer concerts and live performances.

All of this happens with regularity, but not without the generous support from you and others who enjoy the Park.

Please join your friends, meet new residents of Westport, and enjoy the
pleasure of being together in the Park at the Summer Party on July 31, 2021.

Tickets at Ballardparkny@gamil.com

Sledding at Ballard Park

Ballard Park is open for sledding during daylight hours only and at the sledder’s own risk.

At no time may sleds be taken onto the lake.

Here are sledding safety suggestions from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

 • Use a proper sled. Never use a sled substitute such as a lunch tray or cardboard box because they can be pierced by objects on the ground.

• Dress appropriately. Frostbite and hypothermia are real concerns during any winter sport. Be sure to wear sensible winter outerwear while sledding or snow tubing.

• Always wear a helmet. Be sure to wear a helmet as a safety measure to protect against head injuries like skull fractures.

• Choose the right terrain. Choose a hill that is specifically designated or designed for sledding and has a long, flat area at the bottom so you can glide to a stop. The hill should be clear of trees, bumps, rocks, poles, and other obstacles.

• Designate a go-to adult. In the event someone gets injured, you’ll want an adult on hand to administer first aid and, if necessary, take the injured sled rider to the emergency room.

• Sit face-forward on your sled or tube. Never sled down a hill backwards or while standing, and don’t go down the hill head-first, as this greatly increases the risk of a head injury.

• Young children (five years of age and younger) should sled with an adult, and children younger than 12 should be actively watched at all times.

• Go down the hill one at a time and with only one person per sled (except for adults with young children).

• Never build an artificial jump or obstacle on a sledding hill.

 • Keep your arms and legs within the sled at all times. If you fall off the sled, move out of the way. If you find yourself on a sled that won’t stop, roll off and get away from it.

• Walk up the side of the hill. Leave the middle open for other sled riders and snow tubers.

While it’s unlikely that you’ll be injured while sledding or snow tubing, the possibility does exist. Remember, concussions are treatable when managed properly. If a concussion is suspected, it’s important to seek medical attention from a health care provider trained in concussion.

Covid-19 Message

Our first priority is the health and safety of our community in the time of Covid-19. Ballard Park remains open for community use and is a good place to wear a mask, gather outdoors, while keeping to the guidelines for social distancing. Play, picnic (in family groups), or stay 6 feet apart.

Covid-19 Testing FAQ

Summer Movies

Join us for our first annual summer movies concert series at the Park Pavilion. 8pm

Kids short cartoon followed by a feature film.

Ongoing Projects

Gardens & Grounds - Flowerbeds and tree plantings throughout the park.

Ice Skating Rink - Planning for winter 2021 ice skating rink.

Veterans Memorial - Enhanced gardens and a place to reflect on the Westport, NY heroes who have served our country.

Ballard Park Community Friends

Town of Westport, NY

Heritage House

Depot Theatre

Westport Library

Chamber of Commerce

Westport Youth Commission

Westport Golf Club

Camp Dudley

Dacy Meadow Farm

The Inn in Westport

Yacht Club Restaurant

The Galley Restaurant

Westport Marina

JAMBS on Main

Winton's 1898 Tavern

List of activities at Ballard Park

Summer Concerts

Pavilion Rentals - Host an Event

Entertainment / Performances

Beach and Water Access

Summer Fundraising Party

Summer Games

Bicycle Station at Ballard Park - NY, Empire Trail

Picnic Tables

Ice Rink

Sledding

Ice sculpture

Visit Us

6466 Main Street

Westport, NY 12993

Hours
Monday–Friday
Dawn to Dusk