Commission approves Beautification League request to use Erwin Park parking for donor garden tour

The New Canaan Park and Recreation Commission voted on June 10 to approve a request from the Beautification League to use the Erwin Park parking lot and furnish van transportation for invited major donors to a private garden tour on Sept. 22.

Lindsay Heron, who identified herself as chair of the Beautification League's fundraising/development committee and a volunteer with the League, told the commission the event would run from 2 to 4 p.m. and that organizers plan to have guests park at Erwin Park about 1 p.m. and use a van shuttle to the private residence. Heron said invitations will go to roughly 50 "major donors" (defined by the organizer as donors giving $500 or more) and that the League would provide a contact person and arrange insurance through its treasurer if needed.

Commission members queried logistics including whether attendees should park in the front or back lot at Erwin Park, how carpooling and RSVPs would be handled, and possible conflicts with school-bus schedules. Heron said RSVPs would be managed by the organizer and that she would be the contact person listed on invitations. She also said the League had already spoken with its treasurer about insurance and was assured coverage could be obtained.

A motion and second to approve the request were recorded and the commission proceeded to a vote. The transcript does not list the named mover or seconder or a complete roll-call tally; the item moved forward with the commission’s agreement. Staff and organizers were asked to coordinate parking locations, shuttle pickup points, and event insurance in follow-up communications.

The vote concluded the item; organizers said they would send invitations in June and follow up with reminders closer to the event.