The New Canaan Town Council voted unanimously Sept. 17 to approve an expanded, largely externally funded plan for an inclusive playground at Waveney Park. Parks Department staff and the Waveney Playground Committee told the council the project will be built with a mix of town capital, a state grant and private fundraising.

The council’s vote authorized increasing the already approved Waveney Playground project budget by $345,000 to a total project cost of $766,069 (the presentation gave $766,069 as the total including contingencies) so the town could accept a State of Connecticut grant and donations from the Friends of Waveney Playground and move forward with construction. Parks Superintendent Ryan Restivo and public-works Director Tiger Mann presented the request and answered technical and financial questions.

The playground design presented emphasizes “all-abilities” access, with accessible routes, ramps, sensory and communication elements, inclusive climbing structures, swings and engineered rubber surfacing to permit wheelchairs and strollers. Restivo said the selected manufacturer, GameTime, uses durable materials projected to last 12–20 years, and the poured-in-place rubber surfacing is expected to last more than 10 years. Project contingencies were described in the presentation as roughly 5.4 percent of the total.

Committee members and residents urged the council to approve the project as designed. Meredith Tobish, a Waveney neighbor and a member of the playground committee, said the design was developed with widespread community support and more than 250 unique donors and described the project as providing “inclusion…moments of reprieve” for families of children with disabilities. Lauren Tarzia, founder of the local nonprofit Inclusive Together, said, “When we cut features, we’re not just saving money, we’re sending a message about who belongs and who doesn’t.”

Council members asked for a breakdown of funding sources and contingencies; Restivo and Mann said the town’s playground capital account contains $337,581, the State grant covers $300,000 and Friends of Waveney Playground had submitted $150,000 to the town. Remaining differences and contingency sums in the vendor quotes were explained as the reason the total exceeds earlier estimates. The project team also confirmed the town will be responsible for future maintenance, and the Friends group expects to continue fundraising for future needs.

The council’s approval included the project design and the funding structure; the motion passed unanimously.

The rendering and final donor signage design will return to the Park and Recreation Commission per established town practice; the presenters said donor signage will be muted, noncommercial and compatible with park character. Construction timing and procurement steps will follow the town’s contracting rules and the vendors’ production schedules.