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.

Amy Murphy Carroll

Selectman: Town Should Plant Screening Trees on Rights-of-Way at Weed and Elm

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One of New Canaan’s top elected officials said Tuesday that the town should prioritize the planting of trees at Weed and Elm Streets to screen the building project that emerges there. Last week, the Planning & Zoning Commission, following a state Superior Court judge’s order, approved a four-story, 102-unit affordable housing complex at 751 Weed St. The property’s owner, New Canaan developer Arnold Karp, has said he plans to begin construction in the fourth quarter. “One way, shape, or form there’s going to be something built at that place,” Selectman Amy Murphy Carroll said during the Board of Selectmen’s regular meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. She continued: “It could take a couple of years.

Government

Selectmen: In-Street Outdoor Dining Was Never Meant To Stay

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It was never the town’s intention to make permanent the plastic water-filled barriers that protected restaurant patrons sitting in the street as part of downtown New Canaan’s outdoor dining season, officials said Tuesday. In fact, town officials “were always trying to get to the point where we didn’t have those plastic barriers up,” according to Selectman Steve Karl. “So I think it’s important that people remember that, and know that New Canaan is going to look great this summer,” Karl said during the Board of Selectmen’s regular meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. He continued: “It’s going to be functioning and you’re not going to see those barriers out there. And it’s unfortunate that there are a couple of restaurants that aren’t going to have it… But that was always part of the original plan.”

Made during a section of the meeting dedicated to general matters before the town, Karl’s comments come as news has spread about a change in this year’s outdoor dining season, which kicks off May 1.

News

‘We Are Listening’: Talking Parking with the First Selectman [Q&A]

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The changes to parking in downtown New Canaan—where the one-way stretch of Elm Street and part of South Avenue are now paid, while the entire Park Street Lot is now free—went into effect in October. Following a grace period through year’s end where the town issued warnings to motorists not paying for newly converted spaces, ticketing violators is now underway. That, combined with calls for further refinement among some local merchants, has pushed the parking situation to top of mind for many locals. We put some questions about the parking changes to New Canaan’s highest elected official, Dionna Carlson (who’d publicly stated her plans nearly two years ago). Here’s our exchange.

Government

Take Two: ‘Scene One New Canaan LLC’ To Operate Playhouse Movie Theater

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Town officials this week approved a lease with a Delaware-based limited liability company to operate The Playhouse. The Town Council and Board of Selectmen both voted unanimously in favor of a five-year lease with Scene One New Canaan LLC. Joseph Masher, representing the company, told the selectmen during their regular meeting Tuesday that he is sole owner of Scene One Entertainment, formerly Bow Tie Management. “For 20 years I was the chief operating officer of Bow Tie Cinemas,” Masher said during the meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. “So I have extensive experience with the old Playhouse and I’m very excited to be back, and what you’ve done with the Playhouse—making it into its current iteration—it’s amazing and my goal is to make sure that it is a centerpiece, is the centerpiece of town and the beacon of Elm Street.”

According to the Scene One website, the Schenectady, N.Y.-based company currently operates six movie theaters in four states, including New York.