Town officials last week voted in support of having a food truck provide concessions at the Steve Benko Pool once per week this summer.
The Parks & Recreation Commission at its regular meeting June 8 also voted unanimously in favor of a recommendation to have a food truck at Kiwanis Park.
With labor shortages affecting the community pool’s main concessioner, Apple Cart Food Co., the company “might have a hard time keeping the concession stand open at the pool every day of the week,” Parks & Rec Director John Howe said during the Commission’s meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference.
“So what we’ve looked into is having a food truck,” he said. “We are thinking Tuesday or Wednesday, and having a food truck come for that day. We’d set them up on the grass outside the gate that’s closest to the dog park parking lot, that section, so we can put up a couple of small pieces of fence so kids won’t have any access to go running into the parking lot or anything like that.”
Commission Chair George Benington, Secretary Francesca Segalas and members Matt Konspore, Rona Siegel, Carl Mason and Gene Goodman voted in favor of recommending the change to the Board of Selectmen. Commissioners Keith Richey, Steve Haberstroh, Jake Granito and Hank Green were absent. There’s one open seat on the Commission.
In addition, Parks & Rec recommended bringing a food truck into Kiwanis Park, which “has the continual problem of not having anybody do the concessions,” Howe said. (The selectmen in 2019 removed the Old Norwalk Road park from the Apple Cart’s lease.)
“We don’t know if we’ll be able to get somebody for every day of the week but we’d like the ability,” Howe said.
The commissioners asked Howe when Kiwanis opens (June 11) and also asked for more specifics about the proposed food truck arrangement at the Steve Benko Pool.
Howe said the double-gates alongside the large grass area with umbrellas would be opened and the truck would park there, right on the grass, with additional small pieces of fencing installed to ensure kids cannot get out there.
The Parks & Rec meeting was the first one held since Jack Hawkins resigned as a commissioner.
Benington during his own report to the Commission noted Hawkins’s resignation, saying, “We wish he and his family well,” and adding that the first selectman will seek a replacement.
Right now there is no concession stand open at all at Kiwanis Beach to offer any refreshments. Absolutely none.
The only “refreshment” available is a water fountain with a water bottle refill station. We can do better at this beautiful beach that has been in New Canaan for 60 years.
Please write to:
BoSDistribution@newcanaanct.gov
Parkrec.Commission@newcanaanct.gov
John.Howe@newcanaanct.gov
Kiwanis Beach is an attraction for children under the age of eight, offers zero clearance swimming, plenty of space to spread out and build sand castles, beach umbrellas, a wonderful relaxing place for seniors to chill on beach chairs, and recreation events like Harry Potter Day, birthday parties, Story Time on the Beach.
The Kiwanis Beach Pass is just $15 per family.
No cost for seniors aged 62 and over
And $75 for out-of-town families
For more information and to purchase beach passes:
https://www.newcanaan.info/departments/recreation/facilities_parks_and_permits/kiwanis_park_swimming_(seasonal).php
Since Kiwanis has no refreshment stand open at all, a food truck sounds like an option that might work. People want to eat and drink while there. Another thought is that perhaps a caterer could provide premade salads, sandwiches, cold soups, ice cream, and drinks which would be delivered daily. Supermarkets do that now…like a grab & go quick lunch. Personnel would need to be hired to sell the items.
Like Betty said in her letter above, Kiwanis is a great park for kids to play in the sand and on the playground. Our son loved it over there when he was little. It needs to be promoted more by the town since people do not know about our “hidden gem”. The price is definitely a bargain also!
So where are these Food Trucks that were unanimously approved by BOS on June 22, 2022? Any updates?
We can do better than just have a water fountain for beach goers.
Minutes of the June 22, 2022 BOS Meeting:
Food Trucks – Mr. Howe presented a request of approval from the Parks and Recreation Commission to recommend food trucks at the Steve Benko Pool up to two days per week and at Kiwanis Park during the summer season. He explained that with staffing shortages, the Apple Cart Food Company, the current concession provider at the Steve Benko Pool, is having difficulty remaining open seven days a week and therefore having food trucks would provide the service for those using the pool.
He also noted that there is currently no concession at Kiwanis Park and also requested the approval of having a food truck available at the Park. Both locations would be contingent on the availability of Health Department approved food trucks. After some questions, Mr. Moynihan made a motion, seconded by Mr. Williams, to approve the requests as presented. The motion was approved unanimously
Safer to watch the meeting video rather than rely on this government’s meeting minutes, Betty.