Residents may be surprised to learn about Homestead Meadow, a well-shaded piece of land along Homestead Lane within the Fairfield Hills campus.

Fairfield Hills Authority (FHA) Chairman Ross Carley is touting a stretch of land on Homestead Street in Fairfield Hills which offers “a place where we can have events that is not on a mainstream part of the property.”

“The idea is — the main part of campus is getting busier, so we’re trying to make a place for activities. It’s gorgeous and a nice quiet place for people to go,” he said. He envisions weddings, “maybe eventually a band shell,” he said. “Maybe there could be movies or mini concerts.”

The open area is the area formerly filled with buildings that housed doctors when Fairfield Hills State Hospital was operating. The buildlings were raxed down in past years.

The space is accessible from Homestead Lane, south of Washington Square and east of The Victory Garden.

Thanks to mature gum trees, “it’s very cool back there.” Mr Carley said. “We want people to come off the trail,” where they can picnic, take a rest, and cool off.

“We want to put a little library there where people can take a book — just a bin with books,” he added.

FHA has “a lot of little ideas that won’t cost a lot,” to make the space appealing, he said.

The spot offers parking and also water hook-up, Mr Carley said, adding, “We are looking for funding for electric.”

The vision is to establish an event field and picnic area.

“We already have donated picnic tables so people can come off the trail and enjoy a picnic grove,” he said. The tables can be moved to host large events.

“Next year, we are hoping to have [Newtown Arts Festival] there,” Mr Carley said. The Parks and Recreation Department “is helping with tree trimming at the entranceways,” he added.

Considering the space, he said, “It’s too nice to develop the area. As we come up with funds, we will improve it.”

The Town's Department of Public Works is paving for [naviga:u]the brewery currently under construction in the former Stratford Hall[/naviga:u] for more parking “and they will extend all the way behind Norwalk Hall, and we will have parking and an entrance,” Mr Carley said.

Newtown-based REACH is planning its fourth annual car show for September 8, which sees about 300 cars and 500 people. They are “going to try the area out,” with hosting the show, Mr Carley said.

FHA will rent the space to REACH, which provides support to at-risk youth, for their primary fundraising event.