It’s been just 2 months since Erik Barbieri took the reins as Parks & Recreation Department director.
He’s met the stakeholders. He’s toured the town’s many facilities, and learned about programs, policies and procedures.
Now he’s ready to act.
But Barbieri also knows that residents’ input is important.
He looks forward to this Thursday’s Parks Master Plan workshop. At 6:30 p.m. on April 24, in the Town Hall auditorium, Westporters can weigh in on the future of our beaches, parks, athletic fields and other facilities.
The Parks & Recreation Department Master Plan includes ideas for Wakeman Fields, along with other athletic facilities and town parks. (Drone photo/David Pogue)
Residents can meet the architectural engineering firm working on the plan, learn more about the process, and offer feedback. There will be opportunities for small group discussions too.
The presentation will be available within a week, on the Parks & Recreation Department website. Additional workshops will be held in the summer and fall.
(Longshore is not part of this event. The 180-acre park has its own separate Master Plan.)
Parks & Recreation director Erik Barbieri. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Meanwhile, Barbieri is working with 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and the Parks & Recreation Commission to prioritize all department projects.
One of his first moves may prove to be one of his most popular.
Except among Canada geese.
His department recently bought a Goosinator. It is a highly effective way of forcing the obnoxious (but federally protected) species to move on.
With big eyes, a tail and the coloring of a fox, the remote-controlled device emulates a goose predator in the wild. When employees get a report of a goose gathering, they employ the Goosinator.
Planning their next poop (Photo/Marcia Falk)
“Geese do not like it!” Barbieri says.
He adds that in New Britain, where he previously served as Parks & Rec director, merely taking the Goosinator out of a vehicle caused some geese to flee.
“They’re out of control,” Barbieri says of the Canada geese. “They poop all over the beach and fields. But it’s not just unsightly. Their poop is bad.” It contains bacteria like E. coli and salmonella, along with parasites.
The Goosinator will be delivered in May.
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