With the warm weather on the verge of returning, the Warren Recreation Department is gearing up for its busy season. Here is what's coming in the weeks ahead — contact director Tara Thibaudeau at warrenrecreation@gmail.com with questions about any of the department's upcoming initiatives.

Dog park opening
After more than a year of fund-raising and work, the department will open its Franklin Street dog park to the human and canine public on Saturday, April 10 (rain date Sunday, April 11).

Director Tara Thibaudeau said most of the work has been completed, though lighting has not yet been installed; that will come in Phase II of construction, which will likely happen later this year. The park is adjacent to the Park N Ride and runs along the East Bay Bike Path at the corner of Franklin and Main.

The grand opening runs from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be DJ'd music, a blessing of the animals with Father Joseph Upton from St. Mary of the Bay Church, and food and vendors will be on hand.

Even as the park opens, Warren continues to fund-raise to offset construction costs. Personalized pavers, bricks and trees are available for those who want to honor a loved one's memory, and the department is also making 4'x4' metal signs available to local businesses that want to advertise. Those will be placed on the fences surrounding the park and will look similar to the signs at Jannitto Field.

Playgrounds
Warren needs help building its new playground at the Warren Town Beach. A community build is scheduled for Saturday, April 17, rain or shine.

When Ms. Thibaudeau was a kid, one of the best parts of the old park was the spinner, which despite being dangerous was a lot of fun — "if it didn't cut your legs off," she joked.

Though the old spinner won't be replaced, a new, less dangerous one is going in. There will also be handicap-accessible swings, adult swings and climbing structures. The old merry go-round is going back in as well after a rehab.

To help raise it all in one day, Ms. Thibaudeau is looking for adult volunteers, and needs at least 15 people. Contact her if you want to help.

Meanwhile, work is under way to replace the old sailing ship that was recently removed from the Baker Street playground. The old ship's wooden base was rotted and was deemed a liability by the town's insurance company.

"It looks like the same thing," Ms. Thibaudeau said, except it will have a metal, not wooden, base.

Staffing and sports
Ms. Thibaudeau is optimistic that some sense of normalcy will return to Warren this summer. Adult tennis lessons are planned to start May 6, with lessons for children beginning May 1.

Summer camp is expected to open June 30 and will run through August 20. The department is looking for camp counselors, lifeguards, residents who want to work in parking lot attendance or maintenance, and an assistant director.

Contact Ms. Thibuaudeau at warrenrecreation@gmail.com.