Newington names Scott Carace as superintendent of parks and recreation

Scott Carace, the new Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, introduced himself to the Newington Board of Park and Recreation on April 21 and outlined a career focused on community programming and facility improvements.

"My name is Scott Carace. I come from the town of Cromwell. I was a recreation director there. I am a Newington resident of 10 years," Carace said, summarizing his background and long experience in municipal recreation work. He told the board he began in parks and recreation as a high‑school camp counselor, studied sports marketing management at the University of Connecticut and later held progressively senior roles in Wilton and then Cromwell, where he served eight years as director.

Carace said he values on‑the‑ground engagement with residents and expects to keep and expand community events. He described having started a farmers market in Cromwell, including creating a revolving account to stabilize funding, and said he will explore a similar community market for Newington: "That's something great for the community and we should take it over and I want your department to take it over," he said of his prior experience running a municipal market.

Board members welcomed Carace and asked about priorities and next steps. Carace said he will review existing events and projects, coordinate with staff and look for opportunities to add programs while maintaining core offerings. He acknowledged succeeding the department's longtime leader, saying it is "daunting to try to fill the shoes of Bill," and emphasized a pragmatic, project‑focused approach: "I'm a doer and I like to get things done and I don't like status quo."

The board thanked Carace for the introduction and signaled support for staff follow‑up on potential projects such as a farmers market and planned park improvements.