Around Town

Man Steers Tesla Through Fence and into Steve Benko Pool at Waveny; No Injuries [UPDATED]

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Update 5:15 p.m.

The man who drove a Tesla into the Steve Benko Pool at Waveny on Tuesday morning told officials that he’d been trying to park car at the time, according to police. However, the vehicle “ accelerated through the pool perimeter fence and into the pool’ shortly after 10:30 a.m., according to a press release issued by the New Canaan Police Department. “The pool was closed at the time, there was no one in the pool and there were no injuries as a result of this incident,” it said. “Multiple lifeguards and first arriving officers entered the pool to assist the male driver out of the vehicle. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

Around Town

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

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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.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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New Canaan Police at 12:32 p.m. Sunday received a report of a vehicle stolen from Ponus Ridge. The investigation is active. ***

Happy Pride Month. Show your support for our LGBT+ friends and neighbors with a New Canaan Pride sign. Email New Canaan’s Hilary Ormond for purchase and pickup details: hritter@gmail.com. 

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On May 5, the Canaan Parish chapter of National Charity League gathered at the Roger Sherman Inn to celebrate a successful year of volunteering, leadership, learning and connection.

Around Town

‘Juneteenth’ Celebration Set for June 19 at Waveny

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A popular community event that marks a federal holiday celebrating freedom is coming to a new venue this month: Waveny Park. Every year, local nonprofit organization Stand Together Against Racism hosts a picnic to celebrate Juneteenth. “Juneteenth signifies the Declaration of Emancipation for African-Americans,” S.T.A.R. founder Fatou Niang said. “For some, it is considered the second real independence day, because that was the moment that marked the freedom for all Americans, including the black population.”

To be held 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 19 on Waveny’s main lawn, this year’s Juneteenth includes several special features, she said. “Every year, we celebrate with a picnic-style event that is free to all family members and community members, and out-of-towners are also welcome,” she said.

Around Town

NCCF Awards More Than $1.25 Million in Grants

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The New Canaan Community Foundation on Monday announced that it’s awarding more than $1.25 million in grants this year—a total that the nonprofit organization believes is a record high. Each year, the NCCF convenes “grant review teams” composed of community members and leaders to assess requests for funding among local and area nonprofits. On Monday, the NCCF held its Grant Awards Coffee at New Canaan Library. There, the organization shared that it is awarding grants ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 to nonprofits that cover a wide range of human services and other needs, including ABC New Canaan, The Glass House, New Canaan CARES and Waveny Park Conservancy. The NCCF is “grateful to all of the donors that supported our work this year,” NCCF President and CEO Lauren Patterson told NewCanaanite.com during the coffee.