News

Town to Repair Spinning Equipment at Mead Park Playground After Six-Year-Old Components Begin to Wobble

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The Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Karp Associates. The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously at its regular meeting at Town Hall on  July 21 to approve a $15,945 contract to repair two standalone spinning play components at the Mead Park playground that have become wobbly after years of use at the popular facility. Superintendent of Parks Ryan Restivo presented the request, saying the town had been alerted to the problem by members of the public who noticed the equipment was no longer functioning properly. “There’s just caution tape around it,” Restivo said of the components. “It still moves and it still functions, but it’s very wobbly.”

Board of Selectmen

Town To Be Reimbursed $73,500 to Drain and Refill Steve Benko Pool After Crash During NCHS Graduation

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The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously at its regular meeting last week to approve a $73,500 contract with Stamford-based company for the emergency draining and refilling of the Steve Benko Pool at Waveny, following the June 16 incident in which a man drove into the pool during the New Canaan High School graduation ceremony. 

Superintendent of Parks Ryan Restivo presented the request, noting that the work had already been completed and that the town was seeking approval for payment. He said the expense would be included in the town’s insurance claim for reimbursement from the driver’s insurer. The process of draining the pool turned out to be more complicated than simply opening a drain, Restivo said. “It wasn’t draining fast enough,” he said at the July 21 meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. “They had to haul.

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.