Board approves fall park events but warns against recurring food-truck nights in Waven Park

The New Canaan Board of Selectmen on April 21 approved a slate of fall and spring park events — including the Wave Parks Art Festival (main date Oct. 11, rain date Oct. 25), a timed-entry Shakespearean Stroll for Bristo Park, and a one-time food-truck permit for a May 29 "Friday Night Lights" youth lacrosse pilot — while urging staff to adopt a cautious policy on recurring food sales in Waven Park.

Organizers for the Wave Parks Art Festival told the board the carriage barn event typically draws multiple food vendors and artist booths; the board voted unanimously to permit the sale of merchandise and four food-and-beverage trucks. "It's become slowly becoming a tradition in town," an organizer said, noting last year’s strong weather and improved security and parking support.

The board also approved the Shakespearean Stroll at Bristo Park, a timed-entry production designed to limit group size and preserve ADA access. Presenters described two consecutive Sundays this year to provide a rain date and said prior events drew roughly 200 attendees. "We do about 10 to 15 actors depending and a couple of support staff and volunteers," a presenter said; selectmen approved the requested park closures for Oct. 4 and Oct. 11 (9 a.m.–5 p.m.).

The most contested discussion involved the Friday Night Lights lacrosse pilot and its request for a single food truck on May 29 from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Organizer Lauren Morrisy, representing the New Canaan Lacrosse Association, said the pilot is volunteer-run and intended to create a community hub for fifth- and sixth-grade practices and scrimmages. Morrisy said the group will assign chaperones, require vendors to bag or remove trash, and secure health-department signoff for the vendor.

Several selectmen supported a one-time trial while warning against opening Waven Park to regular weekly food trucks. "I've been sensitive to that — I don't want Waven to look like Vets Park or something," one member said, urging a short, monitored pilot and a broader policy review by park staff. Another board member suggested coordinating more with the Board of Education about the Dunning concession options before approving a series of park-side vendors.

The board approved Morrisy's request as a single-event permit and asked staff to confirm vendor health-department approval and a trash-management plan. Members also requested a broader review of park vending policy to avoid unintended precedents if multiple leagues or sports request recurring concessions.

The board’s approvals were unanimous; no votes were split.