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Parks and Rec OKs one-day pumpkin-collection at Poulanes Park, allows staged pickup through Dec. 1
Summary
The New Canaan Parks and Recreation Commission approved Planet of Canon’s request to use a small area of Poulanes Park on Nov. 29 for a pumpkin-collection. Organizers said leftover pumpkins will be removed by Dec. 1 for composting to avoid overloading the town transfer station.
Heather Bolger, speaking for Planet of Canon, asked the commission on Nov. 12 to allow a pumpkin-collection at Poulanes Park on Nov. 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with volunteers on-site and the option to leave leftovers until Monday, Dec. 1, for staged pickup by farms or a composting contractor. "Last year, we estimate that we collected over 15,000 pounds in pumpkins," Bolger said, noting the initiative began in 2020 and aims to divert bulky organic waste from the town transfer station.
Commissioners pressed organizers on crowd control and cleanliness. Bolger said the collection area would be close to the preschool end of the parking area, that Planet of Canon would place yard signs to direct drivers, provide a garbage bin for carved or damaged pumpkins, and arrange volunteer coverage for the event dates. She also said Blue Earth, a composting contractor, would collect remaining pumpkins and that the Exchange Club has offered funding and permission for use of a nearby lot when not in use.
The commission treated the event as a one-year trial. "If it works, terrific. If there are issues, let's talk about them," the chair said during the discussion. A motion to approve the permit recommendation was made (mover: Lindsay; seconder: Britney) and carried. The commission did not specify a detailed written permit condition on the record beyond the verbal commitments about signage and volunteer staffing.
Next steps: Planet of Canon will proceed with the Nov. 29 drop-off and arrange pickup through Blue Earth; the commission expects a brief follow-up next year to report whether the trial succeeded.
