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

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.