Recreation, Parks committee approves permits for fall and winter community events; public asks for donor program and real holiday tree

The Norwalk Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee on Oct. 8 authorized the use of city properties for several fall and winter events, approving permit requests for a school trunk-or-treat, two holiday races and the Department of Economic and Community Development’s Holiday Extravaganza on Washington Street.

The permits passed during the committee’s new-business agenda. Committee members approved use of Wolfpit Elementary School field for a Wolfpit PTA trunk-or-treat on Oct. 25; Cat Pasture Beach for the city’s annual Jingle Bell 5K on Dec. 13; Washington Street Park for the Department of Economic and Community Development’s Holiday Extravaganza on Dec. 6; and Veterans Park for the River Fund Run on Dec. 6. All four items were moved on the floor and approved by the committee.

Why it matters: The Holiday Extravaganza drew the most attention in discussion and public comment because it attracts a larger crowd and involves a large tree lighting at 50 Washington Street. A Norwalk resident urged the committee to reduce taxpayer cost by recruiting donors and to stop renting artificial trees.

Public comment and staff reply Diane Loracella, a Norwalk resident and member of the Norwalk Tree Alliance, addressed the committee during public participation and urged the city to “offer and create and then offer a donor program so that we can offset the high cost of this event” and to “use real trees. No more rentals.” She said she would approach her Tree Alliance board to “donate a tree or help select a tree.”

Department staff responding to the Holiday Extravaganza said sponsorship outreach is already part of event planning. Anna Bria, speaking for Department of Economic and Community Development event staff, told the committee the department has a sponsorship packet and is actively pursuing sponsors. “Right now, the only sponsorship that we have is Wegmans,” she said, and added that the events program has generated about $12,000 in event revenue to date. Bria said the current tree vendor contract is in its final year and staff are exploring alternatives, including a real tree or a different art installation.

Event details and committee discussion - Wolfpit PTA trunk-or-treat (Oct. 25, 12 p.m.–8 p.m.; rain date Oct. 26): organizers described the activity as volunteers decorating trunks and staffing a closed parking lot for child safety. The committee approved the permit. - Jingle Bell 5K (Dec. 13, 8 a.m.–11 a.m.; Cat Pasture Beach): Committee member Seth Sutton described the race as an annual Parks & Rec event with roughly 200 participants already registered; organizers said local vendors provide food and beverages. The committee approved the permit. - Department holiday extravaganza (Dec. 6, 1 p.m.–9 p.m.; Washington Street Park; set-up by 9 a.m., teardown by 10 p.m.; estimated attendance 1,500): staff described a stage with local-school performances, a carousel, a market and a large tree lighting. A staff representative said they are finalizing whether interior space at 50 Washington will be available for the indoor market. Committee members asked about sponsorships, the tree plan and safety for a scheduled rappel down 50 Washington for a costumed holiday character; staff said safety planning is under way. - River Fund Run (Dec. 6, 10 a.m.–11 a.m.; Veterans Park; rain date Dec. 7; estimated attendance 350): Joe Mataferri, representing Norwalk Public Schools, spoke about the race’s school partnerships and youth involvement; the committee approved the permit.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Authorize use of Wolfpit Elementary School field for Wolfpit PTA trunk-or-treat (agenda item 6a). Mover: Johan Lopez. Outcome: Approved. Attendance estimate: approximately 150. - Motion: Authorize use of Cat Pasture Beach for Jingle Bell 5K (agenda item 6b). Mover: Seth Sutton. Outcome: Approved. Attendance estimate: approximately 200. - Motion: Authorize use of Washington Street Park for Department of Economic and Community Development Holiday Extravaganza (agenda item 6c). Mover: Nicole Eady. Outcome: Approved. Attendance estimate: approximately 1,500. - Motion: Approve use of Veterans Park for the River Fund Run (agenda item 6d). Mover: Johan Lopez. Outcome: Approved. Attendance estimate: approximately 350.

The committee recorded approvals on all items; individual roll-call tallies were not read into the record beyond chairing confirmations and voice approval. Several committee members asked staff about sponsorship outreach and alternatives to rented holiday trees; staff said sponsorship solicitations and vendor fees are already in use and that the city will re-evaluate tree procurement when the current vendor contract expires.

Looking ahead: Staff said they will circulate the event sponsorship packet to committee members and continue outreach to potential donors and vendors. The committee closed public participation and moved on to other agenda items.