Caroline Garrity

Tree Warden, Garden Club at Odds Over Waveny Landscaping Plan

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The town official charged by state statute with caring for New Canaan’s public trees is at odds with a local volunteer group that’s eager to remove several Japanese maples from a walkway near Waveny House. The town’s tree warden thinks the maples planted along one side of the path that runs between the gazebo and fountain at the top of the sledding hill “are absolutely beautiful,” Public Works Director Tiger Mann said during the June 9 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting. Referring to a New Canaan Garden Club proposal to replace those trees with a long bed of peonies and flowering plants, Mann added, “He understands your desire to have that, but he also feels that he answers to the other 20,000 residents in the town and he doesn’t see any good reason why they should be removed at present.”

The comments followed a presentation by representatives of the Garden Club and Waveny Park Conservancy, as well as their landscape designer. Removing the Japanese maples would open up a nice view of the hill and pond below, would create more symmetry with the peonies already on the west side of the footpath and would be a better photo opportunity for people getting married at Waveny, according to Conservancy Chair Caroline Garrity and Kathryn Herman of New Canaan-based Kathryn Herman Design, LLC. “It would be very stunning to have this incredibly long walk that was unified on both sides of the walk with this really beautiful display,” Herman said during the meeting, held via videoconference.

Grace Farms

Professor, Author and Visionary Conservationist Doug Tallamy to Speak in New Canaan

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Renowned author, professor and researcher, Doug Tallamy, will speak on the topic of his recently published book, “Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard.” Tallamy is best known for the national conversation he sparked more than a decade ago about the link between healthy ecosystems and human wellbeing. His first book, “Bringing Nature Home”, emphasized the irrefutably significant tie between native plant species, native insects and the rest of the food chain essential for a healthy world. Sponsored by the ten organizations that comprise the New Canaan Pollinator Pathway, Mr. Tallamy’s presentation will offer specific suggestions of how homeowners can turn their properties into conservation corridors and help make a difference for global biodiversity. The event will take place on Tuesday, March 3 at New Canaan Country School Auditorium, 635 Frogtown Road, starting at 7:30 pm (Doors open at 7:00 pm). Tickets are $15.

Around Town

Letter: ‘Thank You’ from the New Canaan Garden Club

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Editor: New Canaanite,

On behalf of the New Canaan Garden Club we would like to thank the numerous neighbors and friends of Irwin Park who contributed so generously to the completion of the environmentally friendly Flexi-pave path. Without these generous donors this final installation phase of the pathway would not be possible. 

The first part of the pathway was installed in 2008, and those enjoying the park have appreciated the safety offered by the Flexi-pave pathway due to the extremely strong yet slip-resistant surface. However the pathway was never completed on one side of the Park, and in bad weather the ground became icy, muddy and hard to navigate. Completing the pathway loop will further enhance the park experience for all walkers and joggers. 

Since 2005, the New Canaan Garden Club, in collaboration with the Town, has been responsible for the beautification of the Park. Numerous projects have been undertaken since that time including daffodil and tree plantings, installation of the water fountain and the informational kiosk, the gazebo and the Flexi-pave pathway. 

Our sincere appreciation is extended to the very generous supporters for this most recent park improvement, which will have a lasting impact on the health and well-being of our community. 

Sincerely,

Anda Hutchins and Lauren Bromberg
Co-Presidents
New Canaan Garden Club

Board of Selectmen

Garden Club Funding $80,000 Flexi-Pave Path Installation at Irwin Park

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Town officials last week approved an approximately $80,000 contract with a Danbury-based company in order to complete a final section of pedestrian-friendly footpath surfacing at a popular Weed Street park. The Board of Selectmen at its regular meeting Tuesday voted 3-0 in favor of the contract with Tri-State Flexi Pave, which is to surface the footpath that traverses the southeastern part of Irwin Park. The funds will be paid by the New Canaan Garden Club, officials said. “We were one of the first installations in this area and in the country, as well,” Public Works Director Tiger Mann said at the meeting, held in Town Hall. “The material has held up very, very well.”

He added, “It doesn’t seem to be falling apart, it’s not getting brittle, it’s not having any repair issues.”

First Selectman Kevin Moynihan and Selectmen Kit Devereaux and Nick Williams voted in favor of the $79,360.40 contract, which includes $5,000 in contingency funding.

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Letter: New Canaan Garden Club Seeks Support to Complete Flexi-Pave Path at Irwin Park

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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As you are probably aware, the New Canaan Garden Club along with the Town, is charged with maintaining and enhancing the beauty and accessibility of Irwin Park for all.  A survey conducted in the fall of 2018 by the Garden Club emphasized that Irwin is beloved by walkers who appreciate the safety offered by the Flexi-Pave path. However, the Flexi-Pave path was never completed on one side of the Park. Consequently, in bad weather, this area can be icy, muddy, and hard to navigate due to its uneven terrain. I am asking for your help to close the Flexi-Pave trail loop and restore the Irwin Endowment. Please join me in support of this $75,000 project, approved by the Board of Finance and Town Council.