The Friends of Hazelwood Park, partnering with the Department of Parks, Recreation & Beaches, are excited to announce that an anonymous donor interested in the renovation of the park’s bowling greens will match up to $50,000 received in donations with a 2:1 match – for a total of $150,000 – to restore the greens.

Many city residents remember the traditional bowling on the lawns at Hazelwood Park.  According to Bowls USA, modern lawn bowling is a family-friendly activity suitable to people of all ages and abilities. In New Bedford, Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) has taught lawn bowling and croquet to participants on the greens for the past 15 years. This summer, the Department of Parks, Recreation & Beaches and the Friends of Hazelwood Park, together with Bowls USA and the Marion Croquet Club, will be offering free family clinics on the greens.

Donations to renovate the greens received by December 31, 2019 will be matched in a 2:1 match up to the $50,000 by the anonymous donor. Those interested in donating should make checks out to the City of New Bedford Department of Parks, Recreation & Beaches, noting the Hazelwood Bowling Greens Fund for the donation.

The intent of the donor is to encourage as many individuals as possible to become involved with the upgrade, development, and use of the bowling pitches and croquet greens. The fund will be administered by the Department of Parks, Recreation & Beaches through the Park Board. Disbursement will be limited to expenses to restore and maintain the bowling pitches at Hazelwood Park. Gift receipts to each donor will be issued by the Department of Parks, Recreation & Beaches as required under IRS code and applicable regulations.

Upcoming events:

A Bowling & Croquet Clinic will be held on Tuesday, July 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the Hazelwood bowling greens. Instruction will be provided by the New York Lawn Bowling Club, Essex Lawn Bowling Club, and the Marion Mallett Club. Participants will be from Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Community Boating Center, Council on Aging, and Veterans Transition House. The public is welcome to participate.

The Friends of Hazelwood Park are hosting a New Bedford Sunset Cruise fundraiser on Thursday, July 11, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to benefit the bowling green renovations. Funds raised will qualify for the anonymous donor’s match challenge. For more information, contact Parks, Recreation & Beaches at 508-961-3015.

Parks, Recreation & Beaches will be hosting free lawn bowling clinics at Hazelwood Park on Mondays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the months of July and August.

For more information on any of these programs contact the Department of Parks, Recreation & Beaches at 508-961-3015 or at info.prb@newbedford-ma.gov.

For more information on the clinics, visit www.nbprb.com. For more information on making a donation to the renovation of the bowling greens, contact the Parks, Recreation & Beaches office at 508-961-3015.

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