‘A Shining Light Where Every Person Is Seen’: New Inclusive Playground Opens at Waveny

More than 50 New Canaan parents, kids, municipal government officials and parks and public works employees on Friday attended the formal opening of the new Waveny Playground.

Gathered outside the roomy, inclusive play space near the Orchard Field on a clear, warm morning, the crowd heard from Parks & Recreation Director John Howe, Superintendent of Parks Ryan Restivo and First Selectman Dionna Carlson—a trio that cut a ceremonial ribbon before throngs of little kids funneled onto the playground’s Poured-In-Place rubber surface to climb, swing, slide and otherwise enjoy brand-new play structures.

“As we celebrate the opening of this wonderful new playground, before we officially dedicate this space, I would like to thank everyone who played a role in bringing this project to fruition,” Howe said from a podium placed on the playground’s “donor walk” as passersby joined the large crowd. 

He continued: “It took the efforts of many people over many years to turn an idea into what we see before us today. While there are many individuals deserving of recognition, I would like to take a moment to recognize someone whose vision, dedication, perseverance helped make this project a reality: our Superintendent of Parks, Ryan Restivo. This journey began nearly five years ago when Ryan— then a young member of our staff, attended one of the very first meetings to discuss the possibility of building a playground here at Waveny Park. During that meeting, we talked about many ideas and possibilities, including the concept of creating an all-inclusive playground where children of all abilities could play together. After that meeting, Ryan approached me and asked if he could prepare a summary of the discussion. A few days later, he handed me a detailed, remarkably accurate set of notes. As I re-read through them, I remember thinking, ‘This young man is going to be an outstanding employee.’ His attention to detail, professionalism, and genuine passion for the project were even evident then. Over the years, Ryan has done far more than take notes. He led this project through countless meetings, design discussions, fundraising efforts, challenges, revisions and the construction phases. Through it all, he remained committed to the vision of creating not just a playground, but one of the finest playgrounds anywhere, a place that welcomes every child and every family to our community.”

One of the large bricks placed in the Waveny Playground donor walk—an area that spotlights a wide swath of generous New Canaan individuals, families and local businesses—from local nonprofit Inclusive Together, reads “May this place always be a shining light—where eerie person is seen, valued & truly belongs.”

The project was made possible with support from the New Canaan community, donors, state Department of Economic and Community Development, volunteer Friends of Waveny Playground and the entire town, Restivo said.

Public discussions around putting in a playground at Waveny—which never had a playground, but rather an all-abilities exercise equipment area that many kids mistook for one—first emerged about five years ago. In 2023, a committee that would become the Friends of Waveny Park Playground formed in order to fundraise and advise on equipment. The total project cost has been pegged at about $775,000, a total reached with town funds, a large state grant and privately raised dollars.

Set on the highly accessible rubber surface near a newly installed fitness equipment area and enclosed by a post-and-rail fence that has gates for entry and exit, the new facility features several play structures for kids of all ages and abilities, as well as picnic tables and shady seating areas for visitors.

Those in attendance at the ribbon-cutting included Public Works Director Tiger Mann, New Canaan Police Chief John DiFederico and Capt. Joe Farenga, town Grant Writer Greg Reilly, landscape architect Keith Simpson, Board of Finance member Maria Weingarten, playground committee members Monica Capela, Lauren Connolly Nussbaum, Hilary Ormond and Meredith Tobitsch and state Rep. Savet Constantine (D-42nd).

Restivo said that when he first caught wind of plans for a playground at Waveny, he asked himself what the town’s most popular park was missing.

“Waveny Park is a cornerstone of this community,” Restivo told the crowd. “It’s known for its beauty, athletics, recreation and the sense of connection it creates for people of all ages. Waveny already offers so much. A child can play a softball game, take a peaceful walk along the open trails with views stretching toward the New York City skyline, and then cool off at the Steve Banko Pool. At the same time, parents and grandparents can enjoy time at the Lapham Center, walk their dogs through the nature trails to the dog park, or simply take in the grounds around Waveny castle. The possibilities here are endless, and today we’re adding another important chapter to that story, the Waveny Park Playground.”

Restivo thanked Carlson and Selectmen Steve Karl and Amy Murphy Carroll, the Friends of Waveny Playground, Recreation Department, DECD “and the state legislators who helped make the STEAP grant for this project possible.”

He added: “I would like to thank Keith Simpson Associates, MRC Inc., Pat Corsetti Inc., Rubber Recycle, Peter Lanni, and Gannon Rustic Fence for their craft in the construction behind this project. I also want to sincerely thank John Howe, Jeff Mannella, Tiger Mann, Lou Boice, the Department of Public Works and the Parks Department staff. I have the privilege of seeing their dedication every day, and this project is a reflection of their hard work and commitment to our community. It is truly a pleasure to serve the town of New Canaan and everyone who visits this remarkable place. We look forward to many years of health, happiness, and community here at the Waveny Park Playground.”

Addressing the crowd immediately prior to the ribbon-cutting and opening of the playground, Carlson called it “a wonderful day for New Canaan as we celebrate the opening of this beautiful, new, inclusive playground here at Waveny Park.”

“This playground represents much more than swings, slides and play structures,” she said. “It represents our community’s commitment to ensuring that every child has a place to play, explore and belong. I’d like to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to the Friends of Waveny Playground, whose vision, dedication and persistence helped make this project a reality We are also deeply grateful to the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development for awarding New Canaan a $300,000 dollar grant that was instrumental to bringing this playground to life. I want to thank our state legislative delegation, [state] Senator Ryan Fazio (R-36), [state] Representative Tom O’Dea (R-125th), [state] Representative Lucy Dathan (D-142nd), and [state] Representative Savet Constantine…for their strong support, for writing letters on behalf of New Canaan in support of the DECD grant application.”

Also thanking the playground’s designers, installers and workers for their “expertise, craftsmanship and commitment to excellence,” Carlson said, “Without the coordinated ef-effort of all of these individuals, organizations, and agencies coming together, this playground would not be here today. On behalf of the town of New Canaan, thank you to everyone who played a role in making this day possible. The children and families of New Canaan and the families who visit this spectacular park from across the region will benefit from your efforts for years to come.”