[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6079458,"mediaKeyId","2955635-0b0402f75e9cf2b73df73e0253bae506","parentId",2955635,"title","Committee approves several park and event permits; contract for Calf Pasture court renovation cleared","audioSeconds",410,"startMs",2242000,"endMs",2652000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955635-0b0402f75e9cf2b73df73e0253bae506&start=2242&end=2652","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955635-0b0402f75e9cf2b73df73e0253bae506/thumbnail_2242000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6079458/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Committee-approves-several-park-and-event-permits-contract-for-Calf-Pasture-court-renovation-cleared","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079458-ebd5f15bc411cd613d5231d3da397bce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111901&Signature=jrA5pcPN8vqL1npGht9kmK9rf-4OvxJPbQyjzMI2EeblMtsJmMssyn1NnnkPyfAaMLcyPA5ay8r-0QtvRC40icQWiv9Fkiqwzaf7WZIBoxi1E~ACcgKfSjIwwLssPIc5bsrXc2-wBRGS6R2NWkzjNgblUrMQKKGkdRLZYdDaAg~DgP5px5OAgFviG-wkdoxCJGplkHbYtk85joW3ExaGY2fHBU-G3-l0bjssoB2eOifSJyinwzyRXIvtOTc8SkAy-qbiqVc4MmHkgeueuy0B13wC70F2AiHOehfjM1zwR1sPbHdi5VCi~KjqB47SaaHsd7eFqQDkvYFvLeC76R2jkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Norwalk, CT","date","2025-04-09T00:00:00Z","article","The Recreation and Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee unanimously approved a set of facility-use agreements and one construction contract during its April 9 meeting. The items below list the authorized uses, dates and committee outcomes.

Votes at a glance

- Calf Pasture basketball-court renovation: Committee authorized the mayor to enter a contract with Sportech Construction Corp. for an amount not to exceed $112,920, and separately authorized the Recreation and Parks director to issue change orders up to $24,000 as needed for Project No. 4430. Parks staff said bids came in below budget; the work will replace a failing surface with a post-tensioned concrete court and is scheduled for the fall after beach season. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- NICE Festival (Oyster Shell Park): Authorized use of Oyster Shell Park and immediate surrounding grounds by NICE Inc. for an event on Oct. 4, 2025 (set-up Oct. 3; tear-down through Oct. 5) with an estimated 500 attendees. Ms. Janet Evelyn presented details and said the festival will shift hours to noon–8 p.m. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Lockwood Matthews Mansion Flea Market (Matthews Park): Authorized use on Sept. 14, 2025 with an estimated 2,500 attendees; organizer described traffic planning and cooperation with police. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Norwalk Public Schools First Book event: Authorized use of multiple school grounds (Brian McMahon High School, Brookside, Roton Middle School, Roton Elementary) on May 17, 2025 to distribute up to 50,000 free books; event organizers described past success and community turnout. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- O’Neil’s 5K (Oyster Shell Park/Veterans Park): Authorized use June 1, 2025 (approx. 500 participants); organizer said the race has raised substantial funds for local nonprofit beneficiaries in prior years. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Sands Caribbean Festival (Matthews Park): Authorized use June 28, 2025 (approx. 3,000 attendees); the organizer said the event engages local vendors, DJs and headliners and will coordinate police and special-event permitting. Outcome: approved (committee vote; compliance with special-event permitting required).

- Black Heritage Parade Fundraiser Carnival (Veterans Park): After the organizer provided additional detail and committed to earlier closing times than some other festivals, the committee authorized use of Veterans Park for a carnival in June tied to a Black Heritage Parade fundraiser; staff and the organizer discussed security, staging and load-in/out requirements. Outcome: approved unanimously; staff to enforce special-event procedures.

How the Calf Pasture contract will be managed

Parks staff said Sportech was an experienced vendor the department has used before and that post-tensioned concrete courts carry a long warranty against cracking. The change-order authorization (up to $24,000) is intended as a contingency to address unforeseeable subsurface issues such as old drain lines. The director said funds for contingencies are available because the bids came in lower than budgeted. The committee approved both the contract and the change-order authority by unanimous vote.

Next steps

Staff will attach public-comment emails and supporting documents to the meeting minutes where required, confirm special-event permitting conditions (insurance, security plans, food-safety inspections) with applicants, and proceed with contract execution for the Calf Pasture renovation on the approved timeline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Norwalk Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs 04-09-2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 9 meeting the Recreation and Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee approved multiple facility use permits for 2025 events and authorized a $112,920 construction contract plus a $24,000 change-order allowance to renovate the Calf Pasture basketball court.","taxTitle","Norwalk City, Fairfield, Connecticut","taxId",4245,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079463,"Committee forwards Norwalk Tree Master Plan to Common Council after public workshops",1026,3459000,4485000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955635-0b0402f75e9cf2b73df73e0253bae506&start=3459&end=4485","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955635-0b0402f75e9cf2b73df73e0253bae506/thumbnail_3459000.jpg","/articles/6079463/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Committee-forwards-Norwalk-Tree-Master-Plan-to-Common-Council-after-public-workshops","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079463-cea511ff7c34563efcdb7f76d2077909/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111901&Signature=bVFXSVS97-Ebx6nKiNZu28703Q-G5ShpljbhI3V-4qxbMLpQYJztDBmOkbHw4IliFYGLB0zNcV~FUc6aIIoU8QGBMUdQWcdVRPH5LzZm-4o5EWMX7tOHFjdpTLDclUuD21JOTcfHbYzkNSincZn3zS3le6QRLdUPia5hqz6yZS5EwMyWUanZ33AZ47xUmDg5GQ9PD1Wt9dMlmZucdpyrMuPIHr78KM2wtklTWbUAgPu8n2o6WrOdc5MAfViilB6Ilsk0gdnyBysAmtIPWySUt-FE0rHgoWLJ2EET7mIMqMUKXs9aq4XubA3llbXsO1lvZFKrWj9~GIEbjf~1fchYsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Recreation and Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee voted unanimously April 9 to forward the city’s final Tree Master Plan to the Common Council for adoption.

The plan — developed by Planet Geo with city staff and local stakeholders — follows two public workshops, internal stakeholder sessions and an inventory-driven canopy assessment. It lays out goals, strategies and implementation steps aimed at increasing Norwalk’s tree canopy, improving tree care and expanding community stewardship.

Sarah Cruz, the city’s project manager for urban forestry, told the committee the draft incorporated extensive feedback from city departments, the Tree Advisory Committee and neighborhood groups. Chris Piper of Planet Geo described the outreach and noted that workshop participants emphasized maintenance and long-term stewardship as priorities over one-off planting campaigns.

The plan includes recommended measures such as updated planting guidelines, a prioritized planting map, steps to strengthen public–private partnerships, and a supporting ordinance review report that outlines possible updates to tree-related regulations. The ordinance review is a separate, supporting document intended to inform future code changes.

Committee members praised the level of community engagement and the plan’s practical focus. Several councilors asked that the plan’s staffing and funding needs be clear as the item moves to the Common Council so implementation steps can be budgeted.

The committee’s vote sends the final plan to the Common Council for adoption, with staff directed to include the plan materials in the council agenda for consideration on the scheduled Earth Day agenda.","After an extended planning process and two public workshops, the Recreation and Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee voted unanimously to move the city’s Tree Master Plan to the full Common Council for adoption and implementation steps.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079468,"Norwalk committee schedules public hearing after residents press PFAS, health concerns over Broad River turf plan",4709,91000,4800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955635-0b0402f75e9cf2b73df73e0253bae506&start=91&end=4800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955635-0b0402f75e9cf2b73df73e0253bae506/thumbnail_91000.jpg","/articles/6079468/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Norwalk-committee-schedules-public-hearing-after-residents-press-PFAS-health-concerns-over-Broad-River-turf-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079468-8ff6b530ccd57b38f85bb077278b5857/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111901&Signature=H2D8riWNIOeoV3XYnmTCHJ3XC3E~QFKP2KKziF7jcSmfaAqjetvoEGboK32wbePaQMsqcULCzsmkjazNNSSPRE~csYIC2Qq0SqWKiavqlmSRUHeZFtGo4GYpMzu4CpP9ORwIZEhVlWKKe~xbHYvk7iZfhpDeZblBW08s6shLyQD6Efxh5vPJ9o3lhLzQpJ4qWbDxAR9wEu~1puyXxmAAdtNuwV~xIuYUmR7YK01ujxwJNDk50AStydBcZkH9qEcJInk4cu6f9kbiwVBrAm9rPO0pN~iFTXP3G2kfgnQ6Y~dAd6yIVrPmemXKfMd7HMP6xXHo1lON5zooeVep6NfIZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Recreation and Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee voted unanimously April 9 to schedule a public hearing on the Broad River Baseball Complex for 6 p.m. May 14 to collect public input and technical analysis on whether the complex should use synthetic turf, hybrid infields or all-grass fields.

The hearing follows nearly two hours of public comment and committee discussion in which neighbors, scientists and youth-sports volunteers aired competing concerns about field playability, maintenance costs, climate resilience and potential contamination of nearby drinking-water supplies.

Residents and environmental advocates pressed the committee to delay any decision until a neutral, technical review is completed. Diane Loricella, a nearby resident, urged a “comprehensive neutral party” be hired and said, “In fact, a moratorium on artificial turf fields would be in the offing” until further study is done.

Richard Harris, a marine scientist with East Norwalk Blue, told the committee that samples taken near the proposed site showed per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) already present in local groundwater and surface water, and he cited the Environmental Protection Agency’s recently published 4-parts-per-trillion benchmark for PFOA/PFOS in drinking water. “There is no safe level,” Harris said, and he recommended either all-grass fields or a grass outfield with a dirt infield to avoid adding new sources of PFAS runoff.

Those who operate youth leagues and manage fields argued turf provides a more consistent playing surface and extended seasonal use. A volunteer heavily involved in youth baseball told the committee the Broad River infields are often unplayable after rain and that installing turf infields would allow more games, tournaments and year-round use. “Not turfing, at least the infields, is just not the right thing to do for Norwalk going forward,” the speaker said.

Committee members and Parks Department staff outlined three options that remain under consideration: 1) fully synthetic turf fields; 2) hybrid design with synthetic infields and grass outfields (using non–crumb-rubber infill such as cork); or 3) traditional clay infields and natural grass outfields. Parks Director Robert Stowers said initial cost estimates vary — the consultant’s higher-range figure discussed included drainage and contingencies — and stressed that the complex also includes parking, lighting for one field, press boxes, concessions, restrooms and other site work that drives the total price.

Committee members repeatedly emphasized the trade-offs. Some favored avoiding synthetic materials near drinking-water sources and wells, others pointed to maintenance and usage concerns if the city kept strictly natural fields without increasing maintenance staffing and budget. Council member Miss Dunn, who lives in the Broad River area, said that many neighbors rely on private wells and expressed concern that “even any bit of additional contamination … is too much.”

Rather than choose between the options at the April meeting, the committee voted to hold a public hearing at its May meeting to allow technical experts, health authorities, watershed representatives, league organizers and neighbors to present evidence and ask questions. The committee also asked staff to assemble any available testing data, relevant manufacturer safety data sheets, and a comparison of lifecycle costs for properly maintained clay, grass and turf options.

The May 14 hearing will be held at 6 p.m. during the committee’s regular meeting; the committee asked staff to post notification and supporting documents ahead of that date so residents and stakeholders can prepare.

Neighbor groups and environmental organizations indicated they will participate; at least one resident said she would provide academic studies and local testing results. Parks staff said they will compile the consultant’s existing memo and any follow-up requests from the committee for distribution before the hearing.

The committee did not adopt a final design or award any construction contracts for Broad River at the April 9 meeting. The hearing is intended to provide the committee and the Common Council with community input and technical analysis before a final vote.

For now, Parks Department staff said the project schedule remains tentative and that procurement timelines will depend on the committee and council direction following the May public hearing.","After extensive public comment and technical discussion, the Recreation and Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee voted unanimously to hold a public hearing May 14 to gather more information and community input about options for the Broad River Baseball Complex, including synthetic turf, hybrid infields and all-grass layouts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves several park and event permits; contract for Calf Pasture court renovation cleared

Committee forwards Norwalk Tree Master Plan to Common Council after public workshops

Norwalk committee schedules public hearing after residents press PFAS, health concerns over Broad River turf plan