Recreation director details revenue growth, seeks funding for dog park and recreation center

Sean Rashford, Danbury’s recreation director, outlined staffing, programming and recent revenue growth to the ad hoc committee, saying last year’s combined revenue from the lake, boat ramp, pavilion/hall and summer camp was about $404,000. Rashford told members the department currently has three full‑time employees and limited part‑time staff, and he emphasized efforts to keep operations approximately break‑even.

Rashford described program revenue sources — the boat ramp at roughly $30,000 a year, hall and pavilion rentals and summer camp — and said he intends to pursue grants and community partnerships to offset operating costs. He also asked for a $77,000 materials and miscellaneous request (some committee members questioned the difference between that ask and the mayor’s proposed allocation and asked for an itemized list). Rashford said he regularly works with the city’s grant team to seek funding for recreation initiatives.

Council members pressed him on priorities including a proposed dog park at Hatteras Park (behind the PAL building), facility maintenance, and staffing for an expanded camp if enrollment grows; Rashford said the camp served about 350 children last year and he expects to expand. The committee encouraged Rashford to provide a detailed breakdown of the $77,000 request and potential grant opportunities.

Rashford also framed a longer‑term aspiration for a recreation center with indoor amenities, calling it a ‘‘dream’’ he will continue to pursue but noting the city’s limited resources for a major capital project.