A reader wrote: “What is the status of capital improvements at Longshore?
“With pickleball one of the nation’s fastest growing sports, Westport is clearly behind the times. We have only 2 courts at the beach, 2 at Saugatuck Elementary School (which can only be used when school is out), and 4 courts that are not in good shape at Town Farms.”
I asked Rick Giunta, Westport Parks & Recreation Department deputy director, for an update. He says:
“We’re excited to begin the process of the Longshore Capital Improvement Plan.
“Late last week, an RFP was issued for architectural and engineering services for the design and permitting of a new parks maintenance facility within Longshore Club Park.
“Once the current maintenance facility has been relocated, it paves the way to tackle other projects within the Capital Improvement Plan, including the addition of pickleball courts.
“As this process may take several years, there have been discussions to investigate the possibility of adding 2 pickleball courts to Compo Beach in the near term. We’re looking at issuing an RFP soon for this purpose.
“Currently, in addition to the 2 pickleball courts at Compo Beach, 4 will be painted on the tennis courts at Doubleday as well as 4 currently painted on the courts at Town Farms.”
Pickleball courts at Compo Beach. (Photo/DinkinEsh Fotografix)
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The dog days of autumn continue (see yesterday’s Roundup for a leashed/ unleashed debate about Compo Beach).
A reader writes: “I’m a long-time Westport resident in my early 70s, who enjoys lovely off-season walks at Compo Beach. Although reasonably spry, my replacement body parts makes me cognizant of potential obstacles.
“The boardwalk, pavilion and playground are now overrun with dogs, particularly on weekends. While attempting to negotiate the boardwalk 2 weekends ago, within 20 minutes, I took photos of 20 dogs on the walkway, on retractable leashes (fully extended), or entirely off leash.
“I had the dubious fortune to see a dog defecate at the entrance to the playground. I told the owners that was beyond inappropriate. They picked up most of the poop and said, ‘no big deal.'”
“The congestion caused by the massive disregard for civilian traffic makes the supposed off limits areas very difficult to navigate.
“I went to Parks & Rec, and was told ‘there’s no enforcement,’ with no staff or resource to provide guidance, warnings, or tickets. I was told ‘call the selectwoman’s office,’ which is humorous.
“Why have sane and reasonable guidelines to share the beach, without some effort to control the overreach of dog owners?
“I’ll end my diatribe by saying that we love dogs, enjoy babysitting for our son’s beloved dog so, this is not a case of a disgruntled ‘get off my lawn’ crankpot. Just a resident who wishes safe access to our beloved beach.”
Dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk. (Photo/Carm Roda)
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As executive director of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce and Representative Town Meeting from District 1, Matthew Mandell has followed closely the discussions about renovating the Saugatuck River railroad bridge — and the pedestrian walkway next to it.
He says: “On Monday night, the state Department of Transportation held a Zoom call regarding a second project to extend the lifespan of the Saugatuck River train bridge, prior to the full rebuild slated for 2035.
“On a call in April, they outlined work to be done on the mechanical lifts and electrical needed to run them. They said there might be sporadic closures of the walkway to bring in and stage the machinery, but nothing major. Their goal was not to impede the walkway.
“This new call was about work on the 2 towers on either side of the span. The ladders that go up, the platforms for rest climbing and staging, and the guy wires are in terrible shape and need to be replaced.
“This work will be done in 2025. They made it very clear, after stating it and then answering my question to confirm, that the walkway over the bridge will not be impacted. A scaffold will be placed at the end of Ferry Lane East to ensure safe pedestrian passage.
“Work will mostly be done at night. Lights will be trained on the work, and not disturb the neighborhood. Hat tip to RTM member Chris Tait for asking about the lighting.”
Saugatuck River railroad bridge — and the pedestrian walkway. (Photo/John Videler for Videler Photography)
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It’s a busy fall at Wakeman Town Farm.
And there’s something for everyone, from tots to retirees. Offerings include:
- Learn to Compost with Alice Ely (October 28, 7:30 p.m.)
- Fall Pumpkin Centerpiece Workshop (October 29, 6:30 p.m.)
- Farm Sessions for Neuro-diverse Youth (November 2, 9, 16; ages 3-10, 9 to 9:45 a.m.; ages 11+, 10 to 10:45 a.m.)
- Election Day Camp (November 5, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Dahlia Workshop (November 9, 12 p.m.)
- Fall Cooking, Grades K-2 (Mondays, November 18 through December 16, 4:15 to 5:30 p.m.)
- Fall Flavors with Laura Weinman (November 19, 6:30 to 9 p.m.; $110 per person, BYOB)
- Autumn Bits & Delights Cooking. Grades 2-6 (Wednesdays, November 20 through December 18, 4:15 to 5:30 p.m.)
- Appetizers and Book Signing with Chef Alison Milwe Grace (December 3, 7 to 8:30 p.m.; $75, includes cookbook).
Click here for more information, and registration.
Kids learn to cook at Wakeman Town Farm.
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Attention, non-profits looking for space in a community-focused co-op.
Blau House & Gardens — the dramatic mid-century home off Bayberry lane surrounded by lush gardens and nature — is seeking 1 to 3 non-profit tenants, in the arts, culture, horticulture or environmental sectors.
Flexible office, meeting and event spaces are available, including use of the gardens.
Rent is $9,700 a month, plus shared utilities. Other options are available.
Click here for details on the lease; click here for details on Blau House & Gardens. Questions? Contact Robert Cohen: r@BlauHouseandGardens.org; 203-952 3335.
Blau House, designed by Ralph Alswang.
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What does the state treasurer do?
Erick Russell — who has the job — gave Westport Rotary Club members an overview of his office.
He also talked about his major goal: to lower costs and give opportunity, security and quality of life to all Connecticut residents.
To help narrow the large wealth gap, Connecticut Baby Bonds invests $3,200 in each low-income baby born in the state. It will be distributed to them when they are between 18 and 30, as capital to start building a secure financial future.
Russell also discussed the importance of investing in affordable housing.
State treasurer Erick Russell (Photo/Ellin Curley)
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Last weekend, the Head of the Charles Regatta — the Super Bowl of rowing, with 11,000 athletes and 400,000 spectators — hosted the first-ever race made up exclusively of cancer survivors.
Eleven boats from 17 clubs around the world raced.
Among them: the Saugatuck SurviveOARS, out of Saugatuck Rowing club. Theiri pink boat included coxswain Alison Reilly. The Westport resident has coxed the Head of the Charles over 30 times in her career.
The SRC Junior Rowing Program also had a strong showing Sunday at the regatta.
The Saugatuck SurviveOARS, at the Head of the Charls.
The Women’s Youth 8+ took second and fourth place in a category, competing against 90 boats from around the world.
The Junior Rowing Program brought 7 boats and 51 athletes to the regatta.
Fifteen Westport girls were among the 23 SRC medalists. Congratulations to Charlotte Seymour , Sofia Martin, Maddie Speller, Delaney Rose Lundberg, Clementine Kirt, Sophie Cochran, Rylie Cordella, Carolina Proctor, Kate Weitz, Alice Frascella, Mina Leon, Samantha Weitz, Emily Lust, Ashlyn Frey and Olivia Saw, plus Anne Studnicky and Hannah Makmale of Weston.
The Saugatuck Women’s Youth 8+A team (from left): Phoebe Bryan, Sophie Cochran, Hannah Makmale, Clementine Kirt, Madeline Casano, Rose Lundberg, Maddie Speller, Sofia Martin, Charlotte Seymour, Coach Mike O’Hara.
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Jimmy Pitaro has earned another big honor.
The ESPN chairman and Westport resident will receive the VOICES 2024 Leadership Award November 14, at the New York Athletic Club.
The annual Always Remember Gala is sponsored by Voices Center for Resilience.ESPN’s Mike Greenberg — a former Westporter — is the MC.
Voices Center for Resilience (VOICES) provides long-term support for thousands of people impacted by 9/11, and helps communities prepare for other tragedies.
Pitaro will be recognized for his leadership, devoting ESPN’s time and resources to produce the “Comeback Season” exhibit at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and the television special hosted by Greenberg. Both show how sports united and helped heal the nation after the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Last year, Pitaro was named Innovator of the Year by StartUp Westport.
For more information and tickets, click here.
Jimmy Pitaro
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo features Riverside Park.
(Photo/Dan Vener)
Photographer Dan Vener says, “If your glass is half full, this shows someone enjoying a hammock in the park.
“If your glass is half empty, it’s a tree strangler!”
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And finally … on this date in 1864, the Battle of Westport — the last significant Civil War engagement west of the Mississippi River — ended in a Union victory.
The event — sometimes called “The Gettysburg of the West” — was fought in what is now Kansas City, Missouri. Over 30,000 troops were involved.
It was the turning point of Confederate Major General Sterling Price’s Missouri Expedition, forcing his army to retreat. For the rest of the war, the US Army maintained solid control over most of Missouri.
(“06880” is “where Westport meets the world.” That includes Westport, Missouri. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog — with its global touch — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
While there is no excuse for dog owners that don’t obey the rules, the reality is that every location for outdoor recreation in the state was “difficult to navigate” last weekend because of the perfect, unseasonably warm weather – dogs or not. If you don’t like crowds, you should not go to Compo on days like that.
The complainer doesn’t mention any real harm that befell her as a result of the rule-breaking other than being annoyed, despite having plenty of time (and ability to maneuver) to document it. I can only laugh at the complaint about a dog’s “inappropriate” choice of poop location — and that we are now complaining about people who DO pick up their dog’s poop. Seems we have a scold on our hands.
In a town that (under the Tooker/Moore administration and our socialite police chief in $500 sneakers) has utterly failed to enforce traffic laws that threaten people’s lives on a daily basis, I cannot imagine why dogs harmlessly walking on a boardwalk would be a priority. If we’re going to enforce rules, let’s start with ones that will save lives.
The good news is that Compo is essentially deserted from mid-November through late March. You can enjoy plenty of walks with very little fear of navigating around a crowd of dogs. Although I sense you will still find something to complain about.
Your diatribe sounds like the pot calling the kettle black!
You are complaining about someone complaining that there are dog owning rule breakers!
The rule is “no dogs on the board walk”- I would guess because it is not a good thing to have to avoid dog poop on that board walk! Completely or incompletely cleaned up poop is not a good thing- Even getting a little poop on a kid’s sneaker is not something a parent looks forward to having to clean up!! Or worse not realizing you have it on your shoe and getting it in your car!
We had Ridgebacks for over forty years. Big dogs. Big piles of poop! We cared that our dogs didn’t inconvenience our neighbors or folks at the beach! We played by the rules! Clean it up! Don’t go where you’re not supposed to go! Baseball fields, soccer fields, football fields, tennis courts, pickle ball courts are off limits- any complaints? Why would a narrow boardwalk be different?
I don’t understand why this should be a debate or a putdown on Dan’s blog!
If you disagree with the current rules go to town hall, ask how you can get the rule changed and I would suggest avoiding anyone you think is wearing $500 socialite sneakers.
That “socialite” police chief, Mr. J, to whom you so disrespectfully refer, is the best Goddamned Chief this town has had in the 54 yrs I have lived in town…literate, humorous, engaged in the town and in the world, devoid of the usual and destructive “we, they” syndrome, and totally available to the public ,he is is a uniformed blessing to you, your family and the town at large.
Truer words …
First, let me say that I am a dog owner and animal lover. With that said, I totally agree that dogs at Campo Beach or not following the rules. It’s their owners to blame for not picking up after them which I have seen numerous times in fact once I brought it to the attention of Animal Control who just happened to be at compo that day.
Second, I’d like to comment about the Pickleball courts. I am at the beach quite often and see that the courts there are not utilized whether it be because of the wind or some other reason but they stand idle most of the day. I think it’s totally unfair that pickle bowl takes precedence over Tennis. By Putting pickle ball lines all over a tennis court is totally unacceptable. Build more Pickleball courts if you may but don’t do that at the expense of tennis players
Mr Johnson in case you forgot it’s Trump who sold you the $500 sneakers it’s certainly not our much appreciated Police Chief. When your sneakers are stolen off your feet “ Who you going to call” perhaps trumps campaign.
I was good friends with Sandy Mihalick who lived on South Turkey Hill. He used to play golf. Are you related?
leashes and pets zigzagging are a trip hazard for our beloved seniors.
plush raise stress on their peaceful walk. I’m not scolding you, don’t worry.
Richard Johnson
Offer a $50 reward to the Poop 💩 Patrol for proof of non pickup. Post photos on a blog 😎
That was Wilbert Harrison’s only hit.
Sorry Jack no relation
Pickle Ball. Jen Tooker ran her campaign in support of new pickle ball courts. The fine plan for Longshore provided for courts in a corner of the park near some houses. The minute that commitment was pursued by David Floyd and the Parks & Recreation Commission, those home owners complained and the undertaking was stopped. We have plans, goals, efforts and then no accomplishments. I do not play pickle ball. I have given up on our Town’s inability to achieve goals.
To the “get off my boardwalk” crackpot, I would say, walk somewhere else..ridiculous rules (25mph on S Compo rd, no dogs on the path designed for walking, etc) just won’t be obeyed by people…dogs will be walked on the boardwalk so go walk on the grass around the beach or just go home.