Jim Wolf captained the 2000 Staples High School boys soccer team. He now serves as president of the Westport Soccer Association, and is a member of the Staples Boys Soccer Foundation.
As discussions continue about athletic fields and artificial turf, he writes:
My wife Lizzie and I both graduated from Staples in 2001. We quickly and enthusiastically moved back to our hometown from New York City after our third child was born. We have 3 children at Greens Farms Elementary School.
After moving back, I immediately became involved in the local youth soccer programs that had such a meaningful impact on my life. Our Westport Soccer Association is a non-profit that organizes travel and rec programs for more than 1,600 kids each fall and spring.
Similar to other youth organizations in town, participation levels for the WSA have increased significantly in the post-COVID years. Our enrollment has grown more than 30% compared to 2020.
This spring we are fielding 33 travel teams. We anticipate that number to increase as the current pre-K and rec players filter up into the travel program.
Each additional travel team requires an incremental 4 to 5 hours of field time per week. There was not capacity for this growth even before the Long Lots fields were taken offline.
Other town youth sports and high school programs are seeing similar enrollment increases. The existing grass fields have become over-utilized and unrested, and significantly deteriorated in quality.
Put plainly, and as many are aware, the current field inventory in Westport is inadequate. Player safety, given field conditions, is increasingly concerning.
Lower soccer fields at Long Lots Elementary School will soon be closed.
At this point, many Westport kids unfortunately will not be able to participate. Our young athletes are at risk of missing out on the numerous developmental benefits of youth athletics.
Based on the studies presented during the Long Lots construction discussions, it is understood that there are limited opportunities to create new fields in Westport, and maintaining the existing over-utilized grass fields requires more financial resources.
The community desperately needs new investment in the fields. Lighting and artificial surfaces are both reasonable and actionable solutions.
The limited budget allocated to fields to date has resulted in the WSA and other youth programs paying a meaningful per player fee to generate incremental revenue to invest in the existing fields.
Poor condition of Wakeman grass field (lower portion of photo) can be seen from the air.
This was not ideal for our families. But we stressed the importance of the supplemental funding, and the parent community has been willing to do their part for the kids.
Given the availability and quality of the grass fields, turfing in the safest way, using the newest products available must not only be considered, but expedited. The kids and the broader community cannot afford to have an RTM ruling or process that slows down progress.
All opportunities to expand field capacity and improve quality (ranging from lighting to irrigation to resting) should be quickly acted upon. Any ordinance that limits optionality or speed of development would be incredibly unfortunate. We are already years behind other communities on this.
How hard is it to resolve to improve fields for Westport’s kids in the safest way possible?
(“06880” Opinion pages are open to all. Email 06880blog@gmail.com.)
Perhaps the surest sign yet that no matter what happens in the rest of the world, there is still much to celebrate, is this: The Westport Farmers’ Market returns May 8.
Vendors of all kinds — fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, ice cream, organic pet food — share the Imperial Avenue parking lot every Thursday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) with musicians, non-profits, and thousands of Westporters looking for healthy food, fun and community. The season runs through November 13.
Click here for more information, and to sign up for Instagram and email alerts.
Residents near the state Department of Transportation facility on Post Road East and the Sherwood Island Connector are still reeling from last week’s clear-cutting of dozens of trees.
The work was done in preparation for construction next winter of a new maintenance facility behind Walgreens.
A 40-year resident of West Parish Road writes: “We expect a certain amount of noise, etc, from the DOT facility.
“But the increase in activity with the new construction is tenfold. I truly hope that the state will do the right thing, and plant some trees or put up some other type of sight/sound barrier, so we don’t have to suffer quite as much during the construction (which I understand will take years).
“Regardless of the fact that the state can act independently, it behooves the town to work with the state to request some relief — now — for neighbors whose front lawns look out on the DOT lot.
A few trees remain on town property. But this is the view from West Parish Road of the Department of Transportation maintenance facility, after the removal of many trees from state property.
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The RTM Environment and Health & Human Services Committees meet jointly on May 13 (7 p.m., Town Hall Room 201).
There is one agenda item: “discussion about artificial turf ordinance.”
The Laddie Lawrence Track, at Paul Lane Field.
There are 4 artificial turf fields in Westport: Paul Lane (above) and Jinny Parker Fields at Staples, Wakeman adjacent to Bedford Middle School, and PJ Romano behind Saugatuck Elementary School.
Speaking of sports: Fleet Feet’s Westport United Youth Track program is a new offering, for boys in girls in grades 1-8.
The series is led by Jesse McCray and Dave Wright, Staples High head and assistant track and field coaches. Staples athletes will assist.
McCray and Wright say, “Most youth sports require running, so this is a great way to give your child a head start on the correct fundamentals of running.”
It runs (ho ho) Sundays (11 a.m. to noon, Staples High School), from May 4 through June 15.
The cost is $160. Click here to register, and for more information.
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Speaking (still) of sports: Club203’s next event is all about fitness.
Westport’s social club for adults with disabilities meets April 26 at the Westport Weston Family YMCA.
Activities include basketball, pickleball, swimming, and (as always) art with MoCA CT. Healthy snacks will keep everyone energized. Click here for more information.
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American Colors by Henry Lehr — the flagship store run by the famed women’s wear retailer son Alex — opened just before the holidays.
Westporters who remember Henry Lehr from his 40 years on Main Street flocked to the new 66 Post Road East location, just around the corner from the legendary spot.
Now American Colors and Alex are ready for their grand opening event. It’s set for May 1 (5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.), with light bites, drinks, gifts, raffles and music.
“Westport has always held a special place in my heart,” Alex says.
“Opening American Colors here is my way of reconnecting with the loyal customers who have supported the Henry Lehr brand for decades, and introducing our unique apparel and accessories to the new wave of residents who have moved to Connecticut in recent years.”
Click here for more information, from “06880” last December.
Lifelong resident and 1971 Staples High School graduate Kelley Spearen died last year.
But his sculptures live on, all over the area.
It is rumored he created a “guitar” work for Keith Richards, at the Rolling Stones star’s Weston home.
Five of Spearen’s works were purchased by the Swanson family, and decorate their backyard.
After 71 years in town, they’re moving to a Virginia ranch. The sculptures need a new home.
One is below. The others are equally intriguing. If interested — or to learn more — email 06880blog@gmail.com.
One of 5 Kelly Spearen sculptures, at the Swanson home.
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Want to play around with the Playhouse?
The 2nd annual Westport Country Playhouse golf fundraiser is July 21 (Birchwood Country Club).
The day includes morning and afternoon shotgun starts (9 holes in the morning or afternoon, or both), prizes, swag, food and more.
Email rdavis@westportplayhouse.org to get on the invitation list, receive updates, and/or learn about sponsorship and auction opportunities.
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Aspetuck Land Trust’s next “Lunch & Learn” webinar explores how to create and manage landscapes for native bees.
Pollinator conservationist Heather Holm hosts the April 24 (12 to 1:30 p.m.) Zoom. It’s free to ALT members; $10 for non-members. Click here to register.
(Photo/Jen Greely)
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This morning’s “06880” lead story featured Westport Pride, the town’s LGBTQ organization founded 5 years ago, and led passionately since, by Brian McGunagle.
The piece did not describe his life beyond the group. Here’s a rundown.
After a career in IT project management and business operatios — with, among others, investment banks and hedge funds — McGunagle began studying for the Episcopalian priesthood.
He put that on hold when his second son was born 3 years ago.
At the same time, he joined a tech startup that, he says, “did not start up.”
Finding less and less joy in that work, he has now pivoted to a new business.
Just Call Brian is a suite of home services. They include:
Maintenance and prevention
Handyman home repairs
Home monitoring and watching
Internet security for families.
For more information click here; email CallBrianCT@gmail.com, or call 203-429-4286.
Brian McGunagle
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Today’s quite colorful and very vernal “Westport … Naturally” photo was taken on Roseville Road.
But you can see beauties like these blooming all over town.
And finally … On this day in 1775 — exactly 250 years ago — the British Army headed up the Charles River, to destroy patriots’ militia supplies. Paul Revere — an officer and silversmith — rode through the countryside, shouting warnings.
He was not the only one to do so. But he’s the guy we remember.
(Back in 1775 it was “one if by land! Two if by sea!” Today it’s “please click here to support your hyper-local blog.” Sure, this is important. But we wouldn’t be here without Paul Revere. Thanks!)
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
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After moving back, I immediately became involved in the local youth soccer programs that had such a meaningful impact on my life. Our Westport Soccer Association is a non-profit that organizes travel and rec programs for more than 1,600 kids each fall and spring.
