Very disappointed in the children swimming lessons. Classes were very chaotic and disorganized…read moreespecially when the head instructor Mr.C wasn't there. Young helper maybe highschool aged was letting my child struggle and her face repeatedly falling under the water to the extent she started choking while he was directly next to her because he wasn't paying attention. Same instructor laughed at my child after she went under the water and couldn't help herself back up and was very scared. She was crying and he wasn't laughing. He seemed new and had little idea what he was doing. My child did 3 sessions and made absolutely no improvement after the 1st session. They split the classes in a very weird way some kids were receiving a nearly private or very small group lessons due to skill and kept kids with the beginners even though they were in sessions prior so therefore never progressed. Very confusing. You can pay slightly more at another place if not the same amount for much better lessons and more attentive instructors.

They have done little to nothing over the years to make improvements. They claim a heated pool, but…read moreI'm guessing to save money it's not set to what they say the temperature is. the facility is run down, this used to be a quality gym but it's pathetic. I canceled my membership in February so they charged me for March as well as the yearly fee. I asked for corporate number and was told no, they only can have a GM speak with me. Absolutely unacceptable. will be sharing with every social media platform and more. save your money go to a $10 a month, or if in Bristol the one on West Street is great. never had issues with billing, place was clean and staff always willing to help. this gym reach its prime in early 2000 there is literlaly nothing about it that makes me feel this is a quality establishment...to top it off they screwed me on my last bill. it's a joke.

This is a facility that adds no resources to maintenance or upkeep. Its the equivalent of a 40 year…read moreold bowling alley. The courts are made of a plastic compound and continuously sweat. This leaves condensation on the floors and players are constantly slipping and falling. Its extremely dangerous. The facility is degrading. From the courts to the general facilities. Its just a matter of taking money out and putting limited funds back in.

I enrolled my 6 year old daughter who is in grade I in the 7th session of the 2025 edition of…read moresummer camps at Northstars. The exact dates were July 28 - July 31, 2025. I enrolled my daughter because the website said "Age 1st-8th Grade" and because the description on the website also said :   "Katie DaCosta will be conducting a fundamental camp where campers will be taught the breakdown of the game of basketball and each athlete will learn the fundamentals that they will need to take their game to the next level. Each athlete will leave our camp having gained dribbling, defensive, shooting mechanics, and so much more." Before enrolling my daughter I wanted to double check with the coaching staff whether they accepted complete beginners to their camps. I sent an email to the email address given, left a voice message for voice message on Katie's phone and even sent her a WhatsApp message but received no reply. Even though I didn't get any reply I decided to take my daughter to the camp because she was so excited to learn to play basketball. I double checked with Katie in person whether they accepted complete beginners into the camp. Katie was concerned about her size but after the first session she said she was felt she could handle it. The camp was divided into 2 groups, either by age or by playing level. I was not sure because my daughter was the youngest, and also the least skilled. She had never played before and small in stature even for her age. Katie's involvement with the little kids was extremely little. She spent most of her time with the older more competent kids. In ten days, she would have spent 10 minutes at most with my daughter. There was another coach in charge of the little kids, I believe his name was Brady. Referring to coach Brady on the first day, Katie said "he is great with kids". Coach Brady could be a good basketball player but it was really evident he really didn't want to be out there working with little kids. Either that or he hadn't a clue on how to work with little kids. I assume he was a high school or college basketball player just doing some summer coaching to make some extra money but with little or no motivation to help the player improve. Brady was constantly yawning, often hung out by the side of the ring and just watched while the kids played. Often his eyes were on the other court where the older /more advanced kids played and not on the kids he was in charge of. His energy levels were extremely low, he showed up late on the second day and wore sandals and socks to the session on the third day. In essence, his conduct was extremely unprofessional. The kids were not taught the fundamentals as advertised on the website. My daughter was not the taught to dribble properly, not taught any defense or shooting mechanics. Given her size and knowledge of the sport one could say she was not capable of learning this much in a week. I would buy into that argument if she was at least taught the very basic rules of the sport. I myself am a sports coach and have been coaching for the past 23 years. Prior to that I played professional sports, college sports and youth sports. I have been a part of summer sports camps either as a coach, director or participant for many years not just in America but in multiple countries too. Summer camps are either focused on a) fun or b) focused on technical, tactical or mental skills. There is really very little from either of these two categories that my daughter took away from the camp. The coaches did little to promote team work and fun amongst the children. My daughter was quite often by herself and coach Brady didn't sense that. On the third day, my daughter was subject to some horse play / bullying by the only boy in the group. It may have been sparked by daughter - I don't know because I couldn't hear through the glass windows. Even though I could see it happen before my eyes through the window, coach Brady just turned a blind eye or didn't know how to handle it. Coach Katie was on the other court and wasn't aware of what was happening on the little kids court. Katie worked with the older kids but quite often she was seated and working on her computer or phone. If this camp was part of a coaching exam where the quality of coaching, professionalism and coaching methodology were to be assessed, it would be a definite Fail. There was no proper lesson structure. It was clearly not planned and the use of equipment was very limited too. Children's beginner lessons often have modified equipment to accelerate the learning curve. Other than a mini basketball hoop that was brought out once they figured my daughter was incapable of shooting at the regular ring and a couple of mini hurdles, no other equipment was used to assist the kids. After each day, I was hoping that the next day would be better but there was no real improvement. I didn't take my daughter for the fourth day (last) because she said s

Playground review only:…read more One of the best playgrounds I've been to; it's new, clean, and big. My toddler loved it and so did I. Yes, I went down the slide a few times with my infant and he loved it too. The view from the playground was also spectacular, the rolling hills of Simsbury. This playground is located near a golf course, rink, tennis/basketball courts, and trail. I have not used those yet, so no review on those. The playground had a bunch of picnic tables under a gazebo. There were playscapes for 2-5 year olds as well as 5-12 year olds. One of the playscapes has 3 levels if you count the ground. My favorites were the green tube and red swirly slides. There is a sign to take trash out with you since there are no trash cans. I noticed an older playground down the hill but it was muddy so I didn't go in it. I liked the rubber ground with mulch; smelled really fresh lol. Overall, great playground and will be using it often.

New playground is amazing!!! Great job town of Simsbury! We had not been up there in a while and…read morewas very pleased to be welcomed by a beautiful recreational area; tennis courts, pickle ball games, swings, basketball court and of course the huge playscape! Looking forward to get on the ice and the back on the playground some time soon

At first glance, a neighborhood park with a few cottages, a field, and a large dirt parking lot…read more The cottages were for the Girl Scouts based on the sign I saw on them. I was here for the playground so I walked across the field to the back and found it. I didn't realize there were parking in the back lot and closer to the playground. The fenced in playground was big and had plenty of swings and space for my toddler to run around. The weather was perfect (55 degrees in February) so there were a few other people there. There was snow on the ground in certain parts, so it was very muddy/slippery in some spots. A few of the playscapes were taped off with caution tape; I'm assuming they were broken. This park is on 200 acres of land and has many events. There is a 50 acre lake area. The spring fed lake is called West Hill Lake; people can swim, fish, and boat in it. In the summer, you will need to buy a beach pass. They also have tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, and basketball courts. Nearby and across the street, you can find the Franklin P. Kearney Conservative Trail. Overall, a great spot to get some fresh air and exercise. Hopefully they will fix the broken playscapes and it will be less muddy when it gets warmer soon.

Just not great. Has a lot that could be improved. Not well kept, run of the mill regular park.read more

Who in their right mind pays a fee to use public land. Parking is one thing, but to seriously…read morecharge people to use a boat launch is beyond disappointing and I will not spend any money to do so. Your swimming/beach area isn't even open (and hasn't been in several years), so what are you doing with this money? You offer absolutely nothing and a boat launch should be free. Honestly pathetic.

This review is for the fishing aspect of Lake McDonough. The water in this lake is extremely clear…read moreand there are steep drop-offs, so naturally, the fishing can be very difficult. Also, the place seems to have a lot of bass in the 1# to 1.5# range. They can be fun to catch, but it would be nice to get some larger ones once in a while. Never caught a trout here, or seen one follow my lure, for that matter. On the positive side, the launch is great, your boat will come off easy. $6 to launch and another $6 to park. Lake is never crowded with boat traffic, no water skiers or jet skiers, which is also good. Very scenic too, just wish the fishing was better, because I only live 4 miles from here. FYI, alcohol is not allowed, they will search your cooler. Gate opens at 8am on weekends, 10am on weekdays (which I find a tad late being a fisherman, but it is what it is).

Such an amazing cool park to take your kids to. It is very serene the background of the hills &…read moretrees & the mountains. A lot to do on the playground for all ages & the big slides Are really cool, they are innovative with alot of things there to do, the swings are across the playground which is a nice set up too. This park is 1 of my favorites to bring my son too

I've reviewed this on the Simbury Farms Recreation page, but I'll add a brief review here also…read more This is a really nice playground located in Simsbury Farms Recreation. It is right next door to the tennis courts. Parking was spacious. The playscape looks new and the playground area was pretty big and fenced in. The large playscape has three levels for the bigger kids. The smaller one is great for toddlers. There is a gazebo with a few picnic tables under it. Down the hill, there are the basketball courts and a smaller, older looking playground. Also, a porta potty is available when nature calls. Overall, one of the best playgrounds I've been to.

"In and around the lake" (Roundabout - Jon Anderson and…read moreSteve Howe) While walking roundabout the lake at Stanley Quarter Park I realized a few things. #1 - You can't blame a goose for being a goose. #2 - You can't blame a few hundred geese for doing what a few hundred geese leave behind, basically a lot of #2. #3 - As a result of #2, you can't blame me for docking this post for a fifth star. Pretty much across the street from the University of Central Connecticut College's campus you'll find this gorgeous park with a big lake, a multi-station fitness trail, and a nice and easy 0.6 mile looped walking path around the lake. The path took us over a few stone and wood bridges and gave us a great look at hundreds of geese and what looked like seagulls. The geese were everywhere - in the water, on the grassy hills, frolicking and flapping their wings in the lake, and honking so much they made us laugh. But the problem we encountered was the byproduct of those hundreds of geese and the ensuing mess they leave on the path around the lake. You'd better watch your step very carefully or you'll be walking into globs of goose shit. It was everywhere, and there was a shit ton of it. Now like I said, ya can't blame a goose for doing what a goose does, but I feel like someone at the municipal level has badly dropped the ball by not better maintaining things.

Very nice park , there is a nice walking trail around the pond and the playground is very fun for…read morekids.

Small gym with great staff! Separate woman's area, which I appreciate. Up to date equipment. Very…read moreclean

Absolutely love my gym! The location is perfect for me. Not only am i around the corner from home…read morebut I also call this my second home and can literally stay here for hours! This gym includes a huge variety of workout machines and equipment and even has a separate lady's fitness room which is one of the main reasons why I go. Not only does this gym have the work out areas, it also includes 3 stand up and 1 lay down tanning beds for an all year long tan. Another great reason I can live here is they have food! Body building food that is! Lol..Set up with a protein bar, there's options for shakes, bars and drinks galore. Last but not least, after I lift my weights, I like to relax my muscles before I head home and how I do that is with the sauna in the women's locker room. The heat allows me to sweat out all my toxins and its my favorite way to end a workout. The gym also has showers, bathrooms, lockers, body scales and magazines just to add in the little extras to what makes this gym complete.

This conservation and recreation area in Harwinton, has plenty to offer. There's a library, town…read morehall, senior center, baseball field, basketball courts, tennis courts, sand volleyball court, picnic pavilion, fishing pond, hiking trails, lacrosse field, a concession stand, and a playground. The parking lot was large. Everything looked nicely maintained there. The library is small but has everything you would need in a library. On this visit, we played at the playground. The playground had a few swings, a couple of slides, playscape, a climbing playscape, and a ball pit. There were a couple of benches. Overall, a great spot to hang out! Everything is in close proximity and it's a great spot to get some fresh air and exercise.