Parks And Rec Unveils A Website

By Jan Howard

Parks and Recreation Department is now offering information on programs, games, and other activities through the department’s new website, newtownparkandrec.org.

At a meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission on September 16, Chairman Larry Haskel said the website contains up-to-date information regarding department activities, including cancellations and programs, as well as descriptions and photographs of the town’s parks, a list of commission members and staff, and contact information.

“It’s up and running,” Mr Haskel said. “It’s quite an achievement for us to do this.”

The website will be updated with new information on a regular basis and will soon list the fall programs offered by the department. It will also offer information on upgrading of playing fields and provide links to sports organizations. A blinking red banner will alert people to important announcements.

“The website is a positive step for informing the public,” Mr Haskel said.

The website was developed by Newtown resident Jeff Shpunt, a senior at Lyndon College in Vermont, at no cost to the Parks and Recreation Department. The website was developed as part of an internship for which Mr Shpunt received college credit.

In other business, the commission discussed a field use agreement that would be signed by sports groups. The agreement is to be reviewed at next month’s meeting in regard to use of fields in the rain and other policies. Director Barbara Kasbarian said fines are in place for violations of the guidelines.

The board also will discuss possible fees for use of fields for one-time events. There are no existing fees for these uses.

The commission also discussed the issue of the Dickinson Park pond, which is in need of renovation or replacement. The commission recently included the pond in its wish list for future projects to be included in the town’s Capital Improvement Plan. The renovation of the pond, which would cost about $720,000, is being considered for the 2005–06 fiscal year budget.