East Norwalk residents oppose Black Heritage Parade carnival at Veterans Park

The City Council of Norwalk convened on April 9, 2025, to discuss several important topics, with a significant focus on a proposed festival at Veterans Park in June. The meeting featured public comments that raised concerns about the festival's logistics and its potential impact on the community.

Rich Bonifant, a resident of Park Hill Avenue, expressed skepticism regarding the festival's attendance figures. He pointed out a discrepancy in the agenda, which stated a total of 250 attendees, while the supporting documents suggested 250 people would attend each day for seven days. Bonifant questioned the feasibility of such numbers and voiced his concerns about the festival contributing to noise and traffic issues in East Norwalk, which he described as already burdened by high-density housing developments.

Another resident, identified as Miss Cece, echoed Bonifant's concerns and highlighted confusion among community members regarding the public comment process during the meeting. She urged the council to consider tabling the festival proposal to allow for further discussion and clarification on various questions from both council members and the community. Cece represented the East Mohawk Neighborhood Association and suggested that more information was needed before moving forward with the approval.

The council's discussions on the festival reflect ongoing community concerns about balancing recreational events with the needs and well-being of local residents. The council is expected to revisit the festival proposal at their May meeting, allowing time for further community engagement and information gathering.