Dickinson Park, Community Center Top Parks And Rec Priorities

By Kendra Bobowick

He got the consensus he wanted Tuesday night.

Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Edward Marks held a list in his hands this week reflecting members’ priorities, including Dickinson Park, a pool, and a community center, among other concerns.

“I just wanted to be sure we kept a focus on the big things we should be talking about all the time rather than just seasonal things we need to take care of,” he said following a Tuesday evening commission meeting. “I want focus on really important things — the big picture.”

Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian likes the idea. “I think it’s great and hopefully will lead us to getting something done.” With the 16-item list of projects literally spelled out on a printed page and prioritized, she said, “I think we’re more aware now.” She also agrees that the “bigger picture” can become obscured by the department’s routine maintenance and field upkeep.

“You’re reacting to immediate needs and the long-term goals are on the back burner,” she said. For example, Dickinson Park is more than 50 years old, “and starting to show it,” she said. Ms Kasbarian does not want Treadwell Park to follow the same route.

In past weeks Mr Marks had asked commission members to make their lists and Tuesday, he saw the projects that ranked on top — a master plan for Dickinson Park, a community center/pool, Eichler’s Cove, the maintenance facility on Trade’s Lane, and a dog park. The dog park is a newer topic that Mr Marks said has entered discussion occasionally in the past, but presents an opportunity that other, long-term projects do not.

“Among the priorities this might be one we could deliver quickly,” he said.

The other items are “multiyear projects” that Mr Marks wants on the agenda for discussion every meeting, he said. “Every month we spend ten minutes talking about progress. I think we’ll be pushing all five every month, that’s my hope — with our nose to the grindstone,” he said.

Further stressing his point, he said, “I just want to boil it down to five we’re passionate about and systematically think about things each month — every month focus on the big picture,” Mr Marks said. He also wants to frequently visit other topics including infrastructure, maintenance, a full-time teen center, and urban trails, suggesting they make the agenda every several months.

The priority list landing in commission members’ hands Tuesday brought opinions to the surface.

Patrick Barczak raised concerns about Eichler’s Cove, reminding members that the recreation department is not yet managing the park and marina purchased by the town and opened to the public last year.

“The first selectman said they won’t turn it over until we’re ready to take it,” he said. He notes that a lot of maintenance and improvement work needs to be completed first.

Mr Marks asserted that the cove needs to remain in the top five.

“I think it needs to be part of our focus,” he said. Mr Barczak favored the maintenance facility before Eichler’s Cove. Both items remained in the top five, however.

The community center — a project that may encompass space for the seniors, the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, and Parks and Recreation Department — was high on every members’ individual priority list.

Member Philippe Steimle said the center is “absolutely a priority.”

Ms Kasbarian has been working with seniors and cultural arts representatives to establish spatial needs and Tuesday presented commission members with details and estimated square footage for recreation, arts, seniors, and shared space. Per a suggestions from Project Manager Scott Baillie with O&G Industries, which is working with the Fairfield Hills Authority on campus reuse, Mr Marks hopes to get the detailed spatial needs agenda to architects Tai Soo Kim, also working on the Fairfield Hills reuse.

“They might come back with a conceptual idea,” Mr Marks said. “That’s what we’re trying to deliver.” He hopes for just a “top-side” view.

Also adding another aspect to the community center equation is a recent proposal from private citizen Peter D’Amico, who has plans to build an indoor sports complex also at Fairfield Hills. The recreation members are looking to learn if an adjoining or integrated space would work with Mr D’Amico’s plans Mr Marks said.

Regarding all eventual structures, Mr Marks said, “It’s important to make sure it all fits together. We’re concerned about making sure that whatever we do works together and we’re hoping Tai Soo Kim can give us that help.” Overall, the community center concept is popular, in Mr Marks’s opinion. He told the commission Tuesday, “I don’t think there will be any more support for the community center than there is right now.”

Gauging public opinion, he said, “Now, we’ve got interest. Now, we’ve got people talking about it.”

Mr Marks turned his attention to the maintenance facility. “I think we have been expecting things to happen and whenever we’re ready to get started something else comes into play. The building needs upgrades, code updates, and roof repairs.”