Since October 14, the front field at Treadwell Park has been closed due to unsafe playing conditions. Teams have been displaced and scrambling to find alternative options for practices and games.

Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission Clinton DePaolo said this is not only unfortunate but was also avoidable. The turf is 11 years old, was due to be replaced in 2026, and money is available for the work, he noted.

The rejection of the turf replacement in the spring referendum is what put Parks and Recreation in this position, DePaolo said. The money already exists and the turf fields are replaced using a surcharge account that generates the necessary funds to replace the fields, he added.

For example, the other field at Treadwell, Tilson turf, is due for replacement in 2031. Parks and Recreation is charging for use and that money is used to fund the field. The only portion of the spring referendum vote that would have been taxpayer funded was the 40 year old light replacement and the fields are fully funded, DePaolo said. "This is a huge impact for our sports groups, who paid for the field, but it wasn’t able to be replaced. The sports groups have been let down by the town’s rules. We have the money — we were not allowed to use it. Furthermore, this is likely going to represent a monetary loss to our sustainable fund that allows us to replace fields.

"After the turf replacement/lights failed in the budget we reached out to the first selectman asking what we could do since the field needed replacement ASAP. There are finite windows in which replacement is best met. We don’t want to replace during a season. We look to accomplish replacement when sports aren’t active. So, we needed a plan. The first selectman requested we wait until the budget was settled, which is smart," DePaolo added.

"After the budget was passed and without further instruction at the June 9 meeting the Parks and Recreation Commission, using its authority as set in the charter, spent Parks and Rec funds out of our surcharge account to replace the field. We separated the taxpayer lighting project from the fully funded field replacement. The commission felt it was our duty to replace the field and fulfill the expectations of the sports groups, who already paid into the turf replacement. Furthermore, the field doesn’t come off the shelf. It needs to be manufactured, shipped, and installed. Any delay would shift the window of install, as well as potentially impacting the price of replacement," DePaolo said.

DePaolo said the commission was notified that the town had a problem with it spending the money as the project had failed at the referendum. "We noted that we changed the project, we were using Parks and Rec funds which the charter gives us authority over, and that the field needed immediate replacement," DePaolo said.

First Selectman Bruce Walczak attended the July 14 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, when options were discussed for how to move forward, especially given the window for a summer replacement had been missed, DePaolo said.

"But we were confident if the money was released quickly enough we could try to aim for a November replacement, between our major seasons. The first selectman was very understanding, but was concerned with process. Likewise, he was concerned about the aspect of pushing through a project that failed in the referendum. The commission, while sympathetic, was firm that we were not going against the intent of the referendum as the funds being used were ready to go, not to mention that the expectation is that these funds were essentially sports groups pre-paying the next turf. The first selectman was supportive of our efforts and wanted to help as much as he could. The first selectman allowed one of our commissioners to discuss the matter with the town lawyer," DePaolo added

"As discussed at our August 11 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, it was reported to the commission that the project should not have gone to referendum, but it did and failed. Likewise, the charter is clear we can use our money, but because it failed at referendum there were various rules at odds with each other. Ultimately, the town’s position was the Parks and Recreation Commission needed to undergo a special appropriation through the town boards," DePaolo said. "At this time, though, we missed the window for manufacture and install for November. The best we would be able to do would be to secure our own funds for an install in the spring. The question became about impact, a warm early spring may mean the turf could be replaced prior to the spring season. However, a cold early spring would impact the spring season. We decided to have the discussion with all stakeholders."

The Parks and Recreation Commission held a special meeting on August 18. It discussed the history, challenges, and direction of the turf replacement with the sports groups in attendance. "We offered to secure the existing funds for the spring, but relayed the issue that replacement, owing to weather or construction, could bleed into the spring season. We also made it clear that the field’s condition was in such a way that it could be closed. We conveyed that if the field became unsafe at any time we would close the field. Safety is paramount, there is no compromising on safety. The consensus was not to jeopardize the spring season with an install and keep an eye on the field conditions," DePaolo said.

From August 18 to October 14 the field deteriorated quickly, DePaolo said, leading to the closure. Currently, the field replacement money is in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). "New rules from the Board of Finance mean it won’t go to referendum, but it still has to go through the whole CIP process," DePaolo said.

"This is unfortunate and unacceptable. It represents a terrible failure to all those who paid for this field and have been denied use. Seasons are now impacted and people are righteously angry. The Parks and Recreation Commission has done everything in its power to try to get the field replaced, but at the end of the day we have failed the town. There is no amount of apologizing that can correct this, but the Parks and Recreation Department is working tirelessly to make this difficult time as painless as possible," DePaolo added. "There will be pain for all our sports groups, but [Newtown Parks and Recreation Director Amy Mangold and Assistant Director of Parks Carl Samuelson] will be doing everything they can to minimize."

“The safety of people, especially our young sports players who use the Treadwell turf field for practice and games, is paramount,” Walczak was quoted as saying in an October 15 Town press release. “We know this will create some scheduling challenges for the remainder of the fall, and next spring. But the current surface condition provides no alternative. The responsible decision was made. We must ensure our sports facilities are safe, and understand it will cause a measurable degree of disruption.

"While it was hoped that the condition would sustain play at least through the fall of 2026, heavy weekly use by upwards of 1,000 young football, lacrosse, and soccer players hastened the surface deterioration," Walczak added. “Please know that our Parks staff are doing everything possible to ensure practice and game scheduling is accommodated utilizing Newtown’s additional three turf fields and other facilities operated by both our Parks team and the Board of Education.”

Newtown High School Athletic Director Matt Memoli, who also coaches youth football in town, said the involved parties are working together for creative solutions.

"It just throws a wrench in things because of the amount of kids who use it on a daily basis," Memoli said of the Treadwell field.

"The Department will work to assess available scheduling options and coordinate with the appropriate parties," Mangold wrote in a letter to sports organizations and individuals who reached out to her the day they learned the field was closed. "However, alternative field time is limited, and not every displaced activity may be accommodated. Any adjustments must account for existing commitments, field conditions, lighting, staffing, and other operational requirements."

A special meeting was held at the Community Center on October 20. Mangold said the Board of Selectmen voted in favor of a special appropriation for the turf replacement, approving $850,000 for the 2026-27 CIP, a significant step toward getting the project started in April. Recreation Commission members were to meet with the Board of Finance on Thursday, October 22, and are scheduled to meet with the Legislative Council on November 4. "If and when both approve this special appropriation we can order the turf and prepare it for a spring replacement," Mangold told The Bee.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.