The Parks & Recreation Department oversees 4 beaches*, 21 parks, and 14 athletic fields.
Each one — from the big boys like Winslow and Baron’s South, to teeny Machamux Park and the often-forgotten Burr Farms fields — has its passionate admirers.
And each one could use a bit (or a lot) of improvement.
Westport’s beaches, parks and athletic fields, displayed on an easel at Town Hall.
Parks & Rec director Erik Barbieri took a first step toward understanding what Westporters want last night. He hosted the first Westport Parks Master Plan Community Workshop, at Town Hall.
Fifty residents heard two 2 consultants — BL Companies and Sports Facilities Advisors — discuss their work. They divided attendees into 2 groups, to provide initial input on what works well, what doesn’t, and what they’d like to see.
Westporters offered a wide range of comments. The consultants listened, asked questions, and took plenty of notes.
Still ahead: stakeholder interviews, an online survey, and workshops.
Nothing was decided last night. It won’t be, for a while.
But Barbieri wants Westporters to have their say. He wants to listen.
*Canal Beach on Saugatuck Shores is the one you may never have heard of.
Parks & Rec Erik Barbieri introduces last night’s Master Plan Community Workshop. (Photos/Dan Woog)
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The Hamlet at Saugatuck has spawned nearly as many meetings as it has opinions.
Monday’s Planning & Zoning Commission meeting (April 28, 6 p.m., Town Hall auditorium) will include a discussion on developer ROAN Ventures’ amended presentation. Public comment will follow.
Also ahead: the Conservation Commission on Wednesday (April 30, 7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium) and Flood & Erosion Control Board (May 6, 7 p.m., Zoom).
To view documents, drawings and other material related to The Hamlet,
click here, then scroll down.
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Speaking of Saugatuck: VFW Post 399 — located just up Riverside Avenue from the proposed Hamlet project — dedicates its new marina this Sunday (April 27).
The 1:05 p.m. start is a nod to the Westport VFW’s 105th anniversary.
The public is invited.
Dredging at the VFW has been completed.
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Speaking of which: With dredging of the new dock behind VFW Post 399 completed, those boats have made their last trip on the river.
But a new vessel is on the water. The Army Corps of Engineers has begun gathering data, to help with permits for the upcoming (larger, and government-funded) Saugatuck River dredging project.
So — for a while at least — the temporary Cribari Bridge openings will continue.
Army Corps vessel, passing through the Cribari Bridge. (Hat tip and photo/Robbie Guimond)
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As the Compo Beach playground rebuild nears the finish line, organizers want to make sure that everyone who wants to help, can.
Volunteers can now drop in for as much (or as little) time as they can give, today (Friday) or tomorrow. One hour, 2 — or an entire morning or afternoon — if it works for you, it works for them.
And you don’t have to sign up online (though if you want to, click here). You can just stop by the registration desk at the playground. They’ll put you to work.
“Every set of hands makes a huge difference,” they say. “We’re grateful for any time you can give.”
The new Compo Beach playground nears completion. (Drone photo/RB Benson)
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What do high school students think about their unique identity — shaped by race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and more — and how that identity contributes to Westport’s character?
And how well do they express those fraught, yet important, ideas?
On Monday (6 p.m., Westport Library), the public gets a chance to hear from students themselves. The winners of TEAM Westport’s Teen Diversity Essay Contest will be announced.
They’ll accept their prize checks — and read their essays.
For over a dozen years, the ceremony has offered an inspiring window into the way today’s young people think, and view the world.
And how well they express those views.
If Monday is like many previous years, the answer will be: Very, very well.
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It’s not the biggest issue the Planning & Zoning Commission deals with (see Hamlet story above), but at a recent meeting they voted in favor of extending — for 2 more years — a special permit to allow the continued parking of First Student school buses at Coleytown and Bedford schools.
There seem to be no issues with using those spaces — and more, at the Greens Farms train station. And moving the parking away from Post Road East, behind the Mobil gas station opposite Playhouse Square, used by the previous vendor Dattco, has done wonders for afternoon traffic in that area.
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
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Just added to the Levitt Pavilion summer lineup:
Dark Star Orchestra (July 19). For over 20 years and 3,000 shows, they’ve continued the Grateful Dead’s live concert experience. Each set list is different; each reproduced the legendary band’s style and soundm while offering their own interpretations. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band, with Bhi Bhiman (August 20). Ritter is one of today’s most thought and prolific voices. The New York Times calls him “a linger of serious ideas and high-flown imagery.” Bhiman is also an acclaimed singer/ songwriter. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band.
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Graduation and summer camp are joyful times.
If your family can afford it.
Westport’s Department of Human Services makes sure that all local families can. Each year at this time, they launch season fundraising efforts.
“In today’s economic climate, affordable childcare — especially in summer — is more than a convenience. It’s a necessity,” says director Elaine Daignault.
“Camp programs ensure children have access to safe, enriching experiencesl while allowing parents to maintain employment and financial stability.”
“Camps offer so much more than supervision,” adds youth and family specialist Annette D’Augelli. “It gives kids the chance to form friendships, build confidence, and create cherished memories in a supportive, structured environment. For parents — especially single-parent households — reliable, affordable care during summer break makes it possible to keep their jobs and put food on the table.”
A second program — the Ceremonies & Celebrations Fund — provides gift cards to income-eligible 8th and 12th grade graduates, so that families can mark important achievements with pride. Donations help purchase a graduation outfit, cover the cost of a celebratory meal, or simply allow families to honor their children’s hard work and milestones with dignity.
Click here to donate online, or mail a check to: Department of Human Services, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880. Questions? Call 203-341-1050, or email adaugelli@westportct.gov.
Summer camp is important for youngsters — and their working parents. (Photo/Jaime Bairaktaris)
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One of Westport’s most popular traditions, the Minute Man Race — actually, a 10K run, 5K run, 5K walk and kids’ fun run, plus a Kids’ Zone with games and entertainment — returns this Sunday (April 27, Compo Beach, 8 a.m.).
There are prizes for top finishers in each age category, plus food trucks, beer, a DJ, bounce house and more. Beach stickers are not required.
All net proceeds benefit the Westport Young Woman’s League Grants program. Last year, they awarded $65,000 to 9 non-profits doing vital work across Fairfield County.
Click here for more information, and to register.
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Speaking of outdoor fun: Westport Softball has drafted a big name to throw out the first pitch, at tomorrow’s opening day (Saturday, 9 a.m., Meyer Field, Compo Road North).
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker will do the honors, inaugurating the season for more than 130 playrs from pre-K through 8th grade.
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Content Studio has become one of Westport’s premier event spaces.
The Westport Downtown Association gathered there yesterday, for a combination social and informational meeting.
A few dozen businesses heard WDA president Maxx Crowley and his staff describe annual events like the Fine Arts Festival, Westoberfest and Holiday Stroll, and learned how — whatever their products or services — they can be part of the downtown community.
Westport Downtown Association president Maxx Crowley, onstage at Content Studio.
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“Westport … Naturally” doesn’t get more gorgeous than this Old Road scene:
(Photo/Susan Garment)
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And finally … today is ANZAC Day.
The important Australia and New Zealand holiday — honoring military members from those countries who served and died in wars around the world — grew out of the brutal Gallipoli battle, waged in Turkey during World War I.
That campaign is memorialized in one of Australia’s most famous songs. The message is anti-war — but the sacrifice of those soldiers comes through loud and clear.
(From Saugatuck to Australia, “06880” is where Westport meets the world. If you like our hyper-local coverage — and the way we tie it together globally — please click here to supporto us. Thank you!)
Where is First Student fueling and servicing those busses?
I have many thoughts about our town’s greatest natural resources (shoreline, parks, beaches, sports fields, etc) but I submitted just two for consideration in the Master Plan.
COMMUNITY GARDEN
I believe it is critical to plan for a new community garden. This could include the establishment of an oversight entity and structure, identifying a suitable location, and design and implementation.
There are several potential 2+ acre locations that could be reviewed for a community garden in Westport with minimal negative impact on existing uses. The southern border of Winslow, along the Post Road. The driving range area in Longshore. Perhaps leasing 2 acres from a church, the YMCA, or other entity.
The ideal location must be flat, sunny, accessible, clean from contaminants, and would not require clearcutting.
We need a fresh start on the community garden!
BARON’s SOUTH
Second, it has been well documented that Baron’s South is not suitable for a community garden for a number of reasons. But there needs to be a plan to optimize this grand green space to serve residents.
Creating walking paths, a native preserve, a display garden around that magnificent fountain. The terrain is challenging but can be embraced in any number of ways to make it a wonderful space for walking, learning, relaxing and just plain old environmental goodness.
It could also be “linked” to the Winslow property via a green belt that extends to the Post road (an idea raised by PZC Commissioner Michael Calise).
These are the two areas— a community garden and Baron’s South— that deserve a high priority in the P&R Master Plan.
Thank you for recognizing ANZAC Day, one of Australia’s most important days. Lest we forget
School buses should not be parking at our train stations.
Greens farms train station is now at capacity.
If any development takes place in Saugatuck especially one which may take 3 years, many commuters who park currently at Saugatuck could very likely decide to switch where they park in order to avoid traffic in that area. I know I would.
The buses are taking up valuable parking and do not belong to the town nor do they use the railroad so cannot be deemed commuter.
The bus company should be told to find alternative parking somewhere else.
There being allowed to park there amounts to commuter “abuse”.
I am surprised no commuters are aware, but before it is too late, maybe folks who are contemplating the potential for possible saugatuck disruption if a development move ahead ought to weigh in.
The train station at greens farms is small and almost immune from the traffic faced even today at Saugatuck.
It is good to see the US Army Corps of Engineers visiting the Saugatuck River again. The most recent plan for dredging the Saugatuck River that I could find is in the aerial views of the river in the linked photos. The parts of the river to be dredged seem to be from the area of the Saugatuck Elementary School up to the split channel near the library and Arezzo’s. The red markings indicate the shoals the USACE plan to remove, according to the website:
https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Portals/74/docs/Navigation/CT/WES/CT_31_WES_20210326_CS_005.PDF