[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6182861,"mediaKeyId","5102988-1aee55d912a90fae01c47ebfa19060d3","parentId",5102988,"title","Tennis center reports steady support; donor interest and memorial tournament planned","audioSeconds",170,"startMs",1113000,"endMs",1283000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5102988-1aee55d912a90fae01c47ebfa19060d3&start=1113&end=1283","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5102988-1aee55d912a90fae01c47ebfa19060d3/thumbnail_1113000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6182861/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Tennis-center-reports-steady-support-donor-interest-and-memorial-tournament-planned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182861-f427b8f1b7690c17c3fac9a26e619e73/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190567&Signature=Z5O23Z6Im9zjtd7XkytH8PBRFr8JUGbiS4LSoXEnpY1nBv2M7OZWPLi8bxarskyz67OlUpbqOlpv2jeJhCSL5a0istyO3wqP6Vu2uMAUMuAArdq4EQ0P~iuMBWHELvIuzNzhsa7eyIP0Lz38oLCI9AotKLWacnIpPAKukHQNl0kMxxztfgZ3kLCM~32KElFhYC5xNaLV3X27E6639d68i9qGEm6Q9WrLJvm05h2hUW~V8jdMQ5c5cZFFKexMXlaUgf1SfzDzXhWiEtqvfgWL5bfU6bfyDkk61K0oNb40Rip8qjfl6lBGdHqU5Z4XqsKtiDhF4ORGqgBlHPM-Zq-7oQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwalk City, CT","date","2025-06-30T17:40:57.073Z","article","Tennis coordinator Denise Brown told the Oak Hills Park Authority June 26 that tennis-court use is busy when weather permits and that the supporters account holds about $14,907.

\"We have about 14,907. So we've been pretty consistent with that amount of money,\" Denise Brown said. She added a potential donor has asked for a list of improvement items and that a subcommittee is assembling needs for possible donations.

Denise also previewed events: a Wimbledon-themed gathering set for July 6 with a breakfast offering in coordination with Odins restaurant, and a grassroots memorial tournament in September for Art Goldblatt that is posted for registration. She said the committee is drafting tennis rules and a code of conduct to address past incidents and to guide day-to-day operations.

Separately, the chair and other trustees noted a tennis screening/planting idea near courts and discussed coordination with the Nature Center on appropriate grasses and drainage solutions.

No formal fundraising commitments were reported; the supporters group’s balance and donor interest were noted as factors in potential court improvements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Oak Hills Park Authority 06-26-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Tennis staff reported steady supporter funds of about $14,907, donor interest in facility improvements, upcoming Wimbledon and memorial tournaments, and that rules and a code of conduct are being drafted.","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},6182864,"Oak Hills Nature Center hosts alternative-lawn open house; plans food-forest and invasive removal",238,679000,917000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5102988-1aee55d912a90fae01c47ebfa19060d3&start=679&end=917","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5102988-1aee55d912a90fae01c47ebfa19060d3/thumbnail_679000.jpg","/articles/6182864/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Oak-Hills-Nature-Center-hosts-alternative-lawn-open-house-plans-food-forest-and-invasive-removal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182864-269ed9ebcade41b2ad3a8890c44684cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190567&Signature=TseMqgVglBtaj03XH26zWnRFiP2DEnP9DgmHNGiDGz6sJFTzEQ40F6dl-dEGrnyN~G47kCxtuLQDwHC3hrdAQIAMntPrY8yCO2t-i8CsNlHopYdgNSP5b9gqLAYYsJvvDQzZVtJLSfTNBSSpEkU-0xaDtp8Rf9Hy9oKW5viivfdVigHr7yXgbU8LL0dM1ugE1oiVwSyatWONRQgMfsEfk-eTrdDxvsOHwOJy-w8Bq39FFRjdHFW~m3PPIzO8xe4GhHd64yJ1GiK9fhe6nBj9SbkZabqop7PEDW0giVhLFbf-cvCeEGuVuc~ba2xKEEE1vlPfoPd8JyLBee6zzVnGFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mary Veral, speaking for the Nature Center at the Oak Hills Park Authority meeting June 26, described a successful June 18 open house showcasing an alternative lawn installation that drew roughly 30–35 visitors, including garden clubs and city representatives.

\"We had about 30, 35 people through there… and it was a very successful open house in terms of showing off our alternative lawn,\" Mary Veral said. News 12 covered the event and the Nature Center received local press attention.

The Nature Center plans to pursue a food-forest project in the fountain garden and along the edges of the great lawn to replace invasive species and enhance habitat. Mary Veral said the group is coordinating with the tree alliance and landscaper Tulip Tree Design to remove invasives and rework pathways. She also reported the center’s recent grant application was not funded this year but staff were encouraged to reapply next year.

Veral raised a concern about a stand of wineberry on the north end of the great lawn that appears desiccated; superintendent Jim Shell said he did not have an immediate explanation and recommended soil testing before planting the food forest.

Trustees thanked the Nature Center volunteers for publicity and the open house turnout, and asked staff to continue grant-seeking and to coordinate screening and plant-selection work with tennis-area plans.","The Oak Hills Nature Center reported a successful June 18 open house for an alternative lawn, plans for a food-forest project and ongoing invasive-removal work; the center's grant application was not funded this year but staff will reapply.",{"_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},6182869,"Oak Hills sees revenue uptick; restaurant and golf report increased activity",1371,395000,1766000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5102988-1aee55d912a90fae01c47ebfa19060d3&start=395&end=1766","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5102988-1aee55d912a90fae01c47ebfa19060d3/thumbnail_395000.jpg","/articles/6182869/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Oak-Hills-sees-revenue-uptick-restaurant-and-golf-report-increased-activity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182869-477640b695b955c24a95c51f21f85ec8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190567&Signature=aIjX6z5~r8V9WtVNuPzJ90FyA8IPB3rpdmjOd6KfAqOURfPxxg4q5N5vgCQLM-5gafWh9YEwcWE4Aaqo5wg14Ath7GUs2e~C5bg62waqSUOcT5Va5Yj8xAKZeknels8U0yILhKOI9n9DSNV0YcBBnuPNcAh6JPrnSDeE1ZKtS6896EHWueC93mFbJSrx8vHAS1PO-LoUE4gOiDy8iR1Kf8GtxQVG2y6rJ~mpSMkpoYycNlymOngAZnKI2UwRtL~a3n66DuC6XiwDFRBv1fMJcn15W1WZK761XqV7M3orhv7YKxqMwYQ-cqD7FXjTGijtpEeFc4SNI6lMs7DJbxipmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Lloyd reported June 26 that the Oak Hills restaurant is seeing month-to-month improvement, with a strong May and an even stronger June to date. Lloyd said the restaurant hosted 26 private events in the last month and has increased non-golf customer traffic, crediting staff training, menu testing and new signage.

\"We've invested in a beautiful array of flowers on the porch… and we've successfully implemented signage on the course for improved takeout service for golfers in a hurry,\" John Lloyd said. He added the restaurant is working to educate customers on QR ordering and will run a band lineup beginning July 4.

Golf professional Paul reported the course is busy through the summer and that membership and outing activity are up. He said the course had 1,097 golf memberships since Jan. 1, compared with 1,090 at the same point last year, and that 14 outings have been held with many more scheduled.

Paul described new programming ideas including \"9-and-dine\" and family golf opportunities aimed at bringing grandparents and young children for short rounds. Board members discussed forward tees for shorter play, the use of temporary tees for juniors and the need for designated handicap-cart procedures.

On handicap carts, the authority confirmed an existing policy: patrons who present a valid handicap sticker at check-in are logged in the tee system and granted access. Trustees proposed issuing a cart flag at check-in to visibly identify handicap carts and require return of the flag at round end; staff said they can implement the flag system if the board directs it.

Overall, the reports underscored strong revenue performance and new programming designed to broaden participation.","Restaurant manager John Lloyd and golf professional Paul reported stronger restaurant sales, private events and greens-fee revenue. Trustees discussed family golf programs, junior tees and handicap-cart verification procedures.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6182874,"Trustees debate accelerating purchase of new greens mower to avoid downtime and repair costs",321,2289000,2610000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5102988-1aee55d912a90fae01c47ebfa19060d3&start=2289&end=2610","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5102988-1aee55d912a90fae01c47ebfa19060d3/thumbnail_2289000.jpg","/articles/6182874/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Trustees-debate-accelerating-purchase-of-new-greens-mower-to-avoid-downtime-and-repair-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182874-abffc77cf2572579338a9e064b215cd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190567&Signature=KvHJG9zfFvha4X578QI00ZHtYwbm9DKj7MU9C2QT68erk6ITCjTGiyRHpsCge2a5xcG40M8bConvzEJ6ujaMXkKHA3WKSYDH3T5rXxtDOsYv1UFOQjeLBrncGzdvBEuTWuSY0c3U1VwJYap8kQE8n1hhAQY3lB6fMZNJWM7~~SDyWmYZdAKdon0unZm84kjz9s5xtrVljoprmEI~jjNrdjploh-pCKBYljuHFlv-SBoNfcZS7Z2-Ogc3XTD5vMSLyyMdyi2a-bw7ze~xLJXlwJOw0AmAl6wJ41XqbJ1rLjkhrk4zV8EApInZGKKA8Ju5gXRdJrSJuGvN5lDJHTUVcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Jim Shell told the Oak Hills Park Authority June 26 that the park’s T greens mower is aging and requiring growing maintenance. He proposed ordering a replacement immediately rather than waiting until the scheduled March purchase.

\"Our current T mower is aging out, and we're putting a lot of work into it,\" Jim Shell said. \"If we buy a new greens mower and move one of our current greens mowers over, we wouldn't have to be spending so much time on that T mower.\"

Shell said accelerating the purchase would increase payments in fiscal 2026 by about $5,250 because financing would start earlier. Board members debated whether to finance the mower, pay cash from recent operating gains, or shorten the lease term to reduce interest. Finance director Mark Controller said the last equipment lease had an interest rate around 6.25 percent and that the authority currently earns a little under 4 percent in the money market.

Several trustees supported buying the mower now to avoid downtime and escalating repair costs; others worried about the capital budget’s size and the effect on cash reserves and upcoming potential capital needs such as HVAC, as noted by Gary Leeds. The group discussed lease prepayment clauses as a potential compromise and asked staff to check lease terms and report back.

No formal motion to accelerate the purchase was taken on the record. Chair Alan Dutton and other board members said staff should supply financing options and incorporate any accelerated purchase into the capital expenditures sheet when the superintendent and controller finalize next month’s budget presentation.

The discussion underscored a broader budget approach: trustees expressed willingness to buy needed equipment but asked for explicit cash-flow and lease-term analysis before committing.","Superintendent Jim Shell proposed buying a new greens mower several months early to reduce repair bills and downtime; trustees discussed financing options, potential effect on FY26 payments and capital budgeting but took no formal purchase vote.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6182878,"Oak Hills Park Authority approves 2025–26 operating and capital budgets",705,3414000,4119000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5102988-1aee55d912a90fae01c47ebfa19060d3&start=3414&end=4119","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5102988-1aee55d912a90fae01c47ebfa19060d3/thumbnail_3414000.jpg","/articles/6182878/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Oak-Hills-Park-Authority-approves-202526-operating-and-capital-budgets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182878-6234b6f2a3f136c644d3c909ab27b4b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190567&Signature=XZm6QqfAiF-ZOw7UwXoJmzqv7YOWr~gaJQM9TJMeUXv80Og1y4RAnK1jm2wpPuweGo6qzyVakxKJ3ox~DaM-dvLbhxZ3SBtmWnBuKNE-0IHSXNLYkUQrPfumJC8nxKeFI1uf19P3Z4prdiV95vGjPIDI1nTRxaQ2nVYJ2qBdKkQXkwWDyzPrDLmkv3EN6m6FLsi3vKucGPdSX8HS6GBzrA9-PRdcinUWi4S23jmkwdRbceJT1cajmGepYwyXn69RpLxVJSeL5Xwy~J7fiR05sGCceER-6l5N7c2d4t8qhQaHj75d0E3tM3g1oShACtU7LVCY2y-hO1W~4Knnxsq3SA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oak Hills Park Authority voted unanimously June 26 to approve its fiscal 2025–26 operating budget and a $344,500 capital budget for the coming year.

The vote, taken after a final review of changes since the prior meeting, came after staff and trustees discussed several capital items that could affect cash flow, including a proposal to accelerate purchase of a new greens mower and an interim lease payment for golf cart GPS equipment.

The authority’s finance director, Mark Controller, told the board the park will likely end the fiscal year with $200,000–$300,000 more cash than budgeted, driven largely by stronger-than-expected greens-fee revenue. He said net operating income for the first 11 months is about $232,000 above the year-to-date budget and that the authority has repaid roughly $120,000 to the city so far this fiscal year.

Chair Alan Dutton said the operating budget’s net income projection fell from about $454,000 to $434,000 because the GPS subscription for leased carts requires a short-term operating lease this year. Mark Controller confirmed the GPS cost is roughly $4,000 per month for six months.

The capital budget includes funding for: a second phase of bunker reconstruction, an estimated $70,000 set aside for cart-path repairs, an allowance for parking-lot resealing and curb/pipe work, a $40,000 water-well project intended to restore a previously drilled well that could add about 34,000 gallons per day of withdrawal capacity, and a $6,500 hot-water heater replacement at the rental house. Jim Shell, superintendent, said the previous well could not be used earlier because of state licensing issues but that resurrecting it would reduce water purchases over time.

After discussion the chair called for a roll-call-style approval. Denise Brown, Gary Leeds, Jeff Switzer, Jennifer McAllister, Mary Veral, Richard Dellinger and TJ Trimboli all recorded votes in favor; the motion passed.

The authority’s chair and staff noted that some capital estimates are placeholders based on earlier figures and that staff will return with refined vendor estimates for large projects. The board also agreed the cart-GPS lease timing and any accelerated equipment purchases would be managed with attention to the capital plan when the general manager presents final cash-flow details.

The authority adjourned to executive session after completing the vote and other agenda items.","The Oak Hills Park Authority voted to approve its 2025–26 operating budget and a $344,500 capital program, including planned bunker work, a water-well project and parking-lot repairs; members discussed financing timing on several large purchases before the vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tennis center reports steady support; donor interest and memorial tournament planned

Oak Hills Nature Center hosts alternative-lawn open house; plans food-forest and invasive removal

Oak Hills sees revenue uptick; restaurant and golf report increased activity

Trustees debate accelerating purchase of new greens mower to avoid downtime and repair costs

Oak Hills Park Authority approves 2025–26 operating and capital budgets