Date: Fri 20-Nov-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

parks-recreation-playing-field

Full Text:

Population Boom Is Putting The Squeeze On Playing Fields

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Barbara Kasbarian shook her head Tuesday night -- frustrated over the town's

lack of facilities, mainly usable sports fields.

Representatives from several sports organizations in town showed up for the

Parks & Recreation Department's annual sports meeting. With the town's surge

in population in recent years, the sports programs continue to expand.

Softball, baseball, lacrosse and soccer teams are desperate for more field

space.

Mrs Kasbarian is forced to juggle field schedules throughout the spring and

summer, raising a range of possible scenarios. Girls' softball wants to play

at Fairfield Hills on one day, but some other league is already using that

field. Lacrosse needs to use this field, but soccer is using that field. Well,

what if we play in the morning only? Okay, but what if you need it for makeup

games? What if it rains? What if it snows?

What if Newtown has to start cutting back on its sports programs?

It could happen. The money simply is not there, according to Mrs Kasbarian.

Her department was allotted $800,000 in last year's budget, a figure, she

asserts, that is far too small to meet the department's needs. The increase in

the number of children in town has affected parks and recreation more than the

schools, Mrs Kasbarian said, because they are getting new facilities. We are

not.

"We have a major crisis with our fields and recreational facilities," said

Larry Haskel, Parks and Recreation Commission chairman.

Mrs Kasbarian said the town was already short on fields. For a time, it was

tolerable, she said, but noted that Newtown is one of the fastest growing

communities in Connecticut. The town can not ignore its poor facilities any

longer, she warned.

"The way this town is growing, this town should be ashamed of itself for its

lack of facilities," Mrs Kasbarian said.

Mr Haskel fears the town's infrastructure will be lost if something is not

done to turn things around.

The annual appeal for more fields and better maintenance appears to be more

critical than ever. There is also a shortage of gym space for the basketball

programs in the winter. The Parks and Recreation Department relies on the

schools for much of its athletic programs, and it loses the use of those

facilities whenever there is a school activity.

Mr Haskel urged sports supporters to back the Parks & Recreation Commission at

budget time. The Legislative Council responds when many people show up to

state their case, he said.

Ken Law of Newtown Lacrosse called for the Board of Realtors, the Chamber of

Commerce and the PTA to get involved. He pointed out that many residents come

to Newtown because of its fine youth sports programs.

"But our lack of facilities and poor fields are a black eye on the town," he

said.

Mrs Kasbarian agreed.

"I think it's time we started getting people out to these budget meetings,

just like the Board of Education does," she said.

Mr Haskel said once the Legislative Council makes its decision, the budget is

set for the next year. It's too late to make any changes. Parks & Recreation

is often the first agency to get cut, he said.

More Fields Coming?

The town has purchased the former Amaral property adjacent to Dickinson Park.

It is also expected to buy land along Queen Street from the state. Both

properties are big enough for soccer/lacrosse fields. However, Mr Haskel said

a study needs to be done to pinpoint what the department needs to do over the

next 15 years. "We need a master plan," said Mrs Kasbarian.

Tennis courts at Dickinson Park are in deplorable condition, according to

recreation officials. For the first time ever, the annual Bertram A. Strook

Tennis Tournament was forced to move to Treadwell Park.

Other major projects must also be done and much-needed new equipment cannot be

put off any longer, according to Mr Haskel. He suggested one major capital

improvement item should be budgeted each year. However, according to the

commission chairman, because the town has done so much bonding the past few

years, agencies are now being told no more bonding for a while.

"I don't think I need to tell anyone about our field situation, particularly

with the enrollment increases," Mr Haskel said.

As commission member Jack Ryan pointed out, the P&R services some 3,000 kids

through its youth programs alone. That does not include all the adult

programs.

The Parks and Recreation Department has been collecting fees from each league

for the use of the fields. The money is used to maintain the fields and to

start new programs. However, some of the leagues, including the men's

slo-pitch softball, have not paid up.

"Only one team has paid and the softball season is already over," Mrs

Kasbarian said. "If that money is not in, there won't be a league next year."

Parks & Recreation maintenance director Ron Moffatt announced the area behind

Watertown Hall at Fairfield Hills has been mowed and can be used for practice

fields.

"It's real rough out there, though," he said.

There is enough room for two fields at the site, Mrs Kasbarian said. The

department, however, has no plans to grade the area. "We don't want to put any

money there. That will probably go to the Board of Education (for a 5th and

6th grade school)," she said.

Each year, the Parks & Recreation Department sends back $200,000 to the town

in fees it collects from programs, such as summer camp. This is money the

department could use to upgrade its facilities. However, the town charter

requires that this money must be put back into the general fund.

One Parks & Recreation capital improvement project was approved last year --

Dickinson Park bathrooms. That project is expected to go out to bid soon.