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.

Government

Town Approves $27,000 Contract for Playground Repairs at Kiwanis

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The Board of Selectmen at its most recent meeting approved a $27,000 contract with a Mamaroneck, N.Y.-based company to repair playground equipment at an Old Norwalk Road park. The repairs to the Kiwanis Park playground are in line with “a recent inspection report as a part of our annual playground inspection program,” according to Superintendent of Parks Ryan Restivo. “Funding for this work is available within the Parks [Department’s] capital budget,” Restivo told the selectmen at their April 7 meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. “If approved, the work will begin as soon as possible.”

First Selectman Dionna Carlson and Selectmen Steve Karl and Amy Murphy Carroll voted 3-0 in favor of the contract with Pat Corsetti Inc.

The selectmen asked whether the company’s bid included work at Mead and Dixon Parks (yes), whether the other parks are getting done (in the new fiscal year, yes, minor repairs at those parks), where are the quotes for those projects (the company separated them out) and how old the equipment at Kiwanis is (about 20 years). 

Murphy Carroll noted that once they’re in place, playgrounds are a cost in that they need maintenance and must be updated as required by law. Karl said, “Obviously, you’ve got to have these playgrounds safe and I applaud the idea that we’re going out there and looking at this stuff, because we’ve let some of the playgrounds over the years go a little bit, and this is something that we should be doing every year.”

Parks & Recreation Director John Howe noted that the playgrounds are inspected every year. 

Government

Parks Department: ‘Waveny Playground’ on Track for May Opening

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Following a winter storm, blizzard and sustained low temperatures, the widely anticipated new playground at Waveny is on track for a May opening, officials say. Originally set for April, the launch was pushed back slightly because the Poured-In-Place rubber surface “requires temperatures above 50 degrees for a consistent period,” according to Superintendent of Parks Ryan Restivo. “You’ll see the equipment has been installed, though the surface is muddy right now,” Restivo told members of the Parks & Recreation Commission at their most recent meeting, held March 11 at Lapham Center and via videoconference. 

“We need about one week of consistent temperatures above 50” for the surfacing to go in, Restivo said. He continued: “On our end, we’ll do top-soiling and seeding on the surrounds, and then any walkways and the entrance patio will follow that. I know last meeting said April-ish but now we’re looking into May with the snow cover that we’ve had.

Government

Selectmen Approve $14,000 Contract for Bleacher Repairs Throughout Town

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The Board of Selectmen at its most recent meeting approved an approximately $14,000 contract with a North Berwick, Maine-based company to make repairs to bleachers at athletic fields throughout town. The bleachers in need of repair are located at Mead Park, Waveny, Dunning Stadium, Conner Field, Saxe Middle School and the turf fields at New Canaan High School, according to Ryan Restivo, superintendent of parks. “Hussey Seating recently inspected all of our bleachers, and upon approval, will complete all identified repairs,” he told the selectmen at their Nov. 3 meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. “The scope of work includes materials and labor.”

First Selectmen Dionna Carlson and Selectmen Steve Karl and Amy Murphy Carroll voted 3-0 in favor of the $13,945 contract with Hussey Seating Company.

Government

Parks & Rec Approves Design for New ‘Waveny Playground’

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The Parks & Recreation Commission on Wednesday night voted unanimously in favor of the proposed design and layout of a widely anticipated playground at Waveny. Funded by private donors, the town and a state grant, the Waveny Playground will be set in a rectangle in the same area the new fitness area at the park, across the lot from the soccer fields and Orchard softball field. To be constructed next spring, the new playground will feature a main component that incorporates slides, climbing objects, sensory objects, swings, railings, musical instruments and more, according to Superintendent of Parks Ryan Restivo, who presented to the Commission with members of the Waveny Playground Committee. “It creates a little bit of everything to be inclusive,” Restivo said at Parks & Rec’s regular meeting, held at Lapham Center and via videoconference. Waveny Playground Committee members are Monica Capela, Lauren Connolly Nussbaum, Hilary Ormond and Meredith Tobitsch.