New Canaan charter review hears push to clarify parks’ reporting and operations

Park and recreation staff told the New Canaan Charter Review Commission that the town’s parks maintenance function is managed day-to-day by the Parks and Recreation director but remains labeled under the Department of Public Works in the charter, and that change should be clarified.

Judy Neville, registrar and commission member, opened the conversation by asking staff about how parks are organized and whether the charter language reflects current practice. An official who identified themself as the Park and Recreation director said the department now manages both parks and recreation after previous separate roles were combined, and that codifying reporting lines would reduce the risk of future conflicts. “I didn’t wanna become the rec director and lose the parks. That’s kind of my passion and everything,” the director said.

The director described the town’s parks crew as roughly 14 people and explained the daily workflow: “Every morning, I usually get here just after 6…I go see the parks guys,” and the director meets staff and the park superintendent early to direct daily tasks. He said Public Works provides backup but does not run day-to-day maintenance operations; the parks commission, he said, primarily provides budgetary oversight.

Commissioners discussed options for charter language. One approach would explicitly move park maintenance out from under the Department of Public Works and place it under a Parks and Recreation Department; an alternative would leave structure flexible while clarifying who directs maintenance. The director suggested a phrase such as making “park maintenance fall under the direction of the Park and Recreation director,” while other commissioners recommended language that is descriptive without locking the town into a specific organizational chart.

Budget coordination and procurement came up as practical reasons to avoid abrupt reassignments. The director said he prepares the budget presentation for parks and recreation and attends DPW capital meetings where larger infrastructure projects are discussed. He also recommended using cooperative purchasing agreements for major equipment — citing Sourcewell and other state purchasing contracts — to avoid repetitive formal bidding for expensive items.

Commissioners asked about public input on the Kiwanis Park master plan; the director said early neighbor input occurred but urged wider town engagement for a park intended to serve all residents. He also noted interest in amenities such as a splash pad but said no decision has been made.

The commission did not take formal action on the parks wording at the meeting; members agreed to review language options and to coordinate any recommended changes with ordinance and budget processes. The meeting adjourned by unanimous assent after a motion and second.