The mission of the Recreation Department is to provide year round leisure time activities and quality recreation programming for residents, with a goal of enhancing the quality of life while contributing positively to the “Teaneck Experience." To this end the Department provides a wide range of programs for every age group responding to a wide range of interests.

The Department prepares a catalogue of available programs for each season, which includes fees for those programs, if applicable.  For current programs offered, click here. For a registration form, click here.

RECREATION MASTER PLAN
The Comprehensive Recreational Master Plan and the Recreational Master Plan may be found by clicking on "Recreational Master Plan" under our Additional Resources link on this website. In addition, hard copies of the Plan are available for review in the Municipal Clerk's Office or in the Teaneck Public Library.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Registration for all programs takes place in the Recreation Department offices at the Richard Rodda Community Center.  The Department has mail-in registration prior to each session.  After (2) weeks of mail-in registration, in-person registration continues weekdays from 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. until classes and activities are filled.  Please call the Recreation Department at (201) 837-7130 ext.1 for seasonal registration dates.

Youth Division
The Division provides a full day Preschool Program, Sunshine Gardens Learning Center, September through June for ages 3 & 4 - not entering Kindergarten.  This full day Montessori based program has been well received and very successful. The hours for the full-day program are 9:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with optional after care available from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to assist working parents.  Registration for this program is held in early February for the following school year. 

An After School Child Care Program, for children in grades kindergarten through age 13, is available from school dismissal until 6:00 p.m.  We are proud to successfully present programming that stimulates both the minds and bodies of our youth residents during the "after school" hours. This is accomplished by providing quality homework assistance as well as personal attention towards building positive social skills and self-esteem. The children are exposed to many positive influences for its creative enrichment programs. Good health and nutrition habits are encouraged along with exposure to environmental awareness. Students also have opportunities to play recreational games, sports activities and explore their creativity through a variety of craft projects and special events. Registration for this program is held in May for the following school year. 

Both programs are extremely popular and fill quickly. On rare occasions, there are openings in these programs and residents will be accepted during the school year.  Both programs follow the Teaneck Public School and Municipal Holiday Calendars.  Call (201) 837-7130 ext. 1 for more information.

Senior Citizens Service Center
The Center, located on the upper level of the Richard Rodda Community Center, is in operation Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for adults ages 55 & up.  Seasonal activities in the areas of education, physical fitness and social recreational activities are available year round for active older adults.  A hot lunch, provided by the Bergen County Division of Senior Services, is available daily for a suggested donation.  A complete calendar of activities, classes and special events is available each month.  For a sample of the types of program offered click here.  A County Van is available to assist in transporting participants to and from the Center.  Call (201) 837-0171  or (201) 837-7130 ext. 5 for information.

For the medical release form, click here.

Senior and Disabled Transportation
The Department offers free transportation for senior and disabled residents for medical appointments five days a week and provides grocery shopping two days weekly.  Residents may call the Department to schedule medical appointments in Teaneck, Englewood, Hackensack and the fringes of the aforementioned communities Mondays through  Fridays with the exception of Municipal  Holidays. The Departments’ Transportation component also provides rides for miscellaneous errands.  In months which contain five (5) Wednesdays and/or Thursdays, the grocery shopping trips are substituted with a trip to an area mall.  As the transportation service is a very popular service, residents are strongly encouraged to call at least one to two weeks in advance to schedule an appointment or series of appointments.  Please call (201) 837-7130 ext. 7040.

Richard Rodda Community Center
The Community Center is a 50,964 square foot facility built in 1998. The Center has limited rooms and facilities available for rental seven days a week based upon policies and procedures established by the Teaneck Township Council. The facility includes two gymnasiums, a dance suite, and a variety of different sized multipurpose rooms. Selected rooms are available to rent with a residential or commercial kitchen as well. Uses are approved subject to a determination that the use conforms with the policies and ordinances of the Township of Teaneck. Organizations, as defined by the Township, may rent rooms at the Center based upon a pre-established room rental fee schedule. Applications are available at the Rodda Center or click here.

Permits for Outdoor Facilities
Permits may be obtained from the Department.   To reserve a baseball or softball diamond or other facilities, call the Department for applications or click here. Permits are issued on an as available basis for a fee.  Selected Township ballfields are available for use by permit only.

Picnic tables and charcoal burners are available in Phelps and Votee Parks.  Reservations are not required, however priority is given to those who obtain a permit.  We recommended that a reservation be made at least one week in advance of the anticipated use.  Picnic kits (duffle bags containing sports equipment of your choice such as footballs, baseball bats and bases, volleyball nets, soccer balls, frisbees) are available for loan to residents.  These kits are issued for specific dates only.  Play is limited to areas designated for this purpose.  Permits for field space to play these games must be obtained.

Swimming Pools
To use the swimming pools in the parks, residents must obtain an ID tag.  One tag is good for admission to the above ground pool in Hawthorne Park. A separate tag is required for use of the in-ground pool in Votee Park. The tags are sold by the Department beginning in June.

Summer Band Concert Series
Each year, our Teaneck Community Band presents a Summer Band Concert Series on five consecutive Wednesdays during the summer.  These concerts are held in the Votee Park Band Shell starting at 8:00 p.m.  In the event of rain, concerts are held in one of the school auditoriums.

Movies in the Park
Full length featured films, suitable for family viewing, are offered in Votee Park, free of charge in August and over the Labor Day weekend. Bring your lawn chairs or blanket. Free popcorn is provided! Subject to rain and other weather conditions.

Amusement Park Tickets
The Department receives consignment ticket at a considerable discount for amusement parks in the area such as,   Six Flags, Sesame Place, Dorney Park, Mountain Creek, Morey's Pier, Hershey Park, etc., during summer months at the Recreation Department.   Residents may purchase tickets while they last June 1 through August 31.

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