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Planning board reviews wide-ranging parks capital package including splash pad, playgrounds and ADA bathrooms
Summary
Stamford City parks staff presented a suite of capital requests including design completion for Cole Island courts, a $2.3 million overhaul at Atfield Park, a $1 million playground-plus-splash-pad at Cummings Park, and a continuing program to add heated, year-round bathrooms; board asked for clearer cost lines and neighborhood context.
Stamford City parks staff outlined a multi-item capital package addressing playgrounds, courts, lighting and accessibility upgrades during the planning board meeting.
Parks presenter (Speaker 3) said the Cole Island Park request of $656,500 "is to complete the project" and includes finishing design and construction of tennis courts with pickleball, ADA-accessible sidewalks and pathways, and replacement of a basketball court and play equipment. For Cummings Park, Speaker 3 said the department is seeking $1,000,000 in city funds plus a matching $1,000,000 private contribution to build a new inclusive playground and splash pad; Speaker 3 added the administration had already secured an ORLOAF grant to support the work.
On safety and larger renovations, Speaker 3 requested $2,300,000 for Atfield Park to replace play surfaces, a new play structure, hardscape and a repaired basketball court, citing tripping hazards from pulled-up safety tiles, rodent activity beneath surfacing and severe cracking on the court. "There is a lot of tripping hazards within the park," Speaker 3 said, urging a full renovation rather than a phased patchwork.
The board pressed for clearer cost breakdowns and context. Speaker 4 reminded the group that the city's 1% art ordinance applies to public-facing capital projects and noted a $75,000 park-amenities request should carry roughly $750 for artwork. Board members also asked that project justifications include neighborhood or park location details where missing.
Other parks requests included a continuing all-season bathroom program ($505,000 requested to fund Cove Island and other sites), a $151,000 playground rehabilitation account for parts and replacements across about 20 playgrounds, a $101,000 design request for Kosciusko Park to address drainage and parking, and a $757,500 request for a Salsey/Gaussi Park maintenance building with ADA bathrooms and long-warranty Musco LED sports lights intended to reduce both fixture counts and maintenance costs.
Board members recommended adding strategic-plan and citizen-priority language to the bathroom request and clarifying which out-year items were advisory versus intended for immediate funding. No formal votes were taken; staff were asked to add neighborhood information, correct cost figures, and note earmarks where balances already serve specific projects.
