In Shady Rest—

Town’s New Open Space Parcel Carries Sentimental Footprints

By Kendra Bobowick

“An interesting and wonderful thing has happened,” said Deputy Director of Planning and Land Use Rob Sibley.

A four-acre donation of Newtown land once owned by Trumbull residents Joan and John Lisy in the Shady Rest neighborhood now adds to the town’s open space. It is habitat that will remain preserved, a gateway to larger tracts of open space, easements, and Newtown Forest Association property. The land also provides the potential for a larger overall corridor, Mr Sibley said. Although the acres could have sold for a profit, Mr Lisy wished to pass it to the town. The “pristine habitat” will remain, Mr Sibley said.

The parcel’s sentimental value has been preserved, as Joan Lisy soon explained. Her husband’s family had an attachment to the property. During the mid-1960s John Lisy, an only child who grew up with his parents in Bridgeport, was drafted for service during the Vietnam War. “His mom was emotional at the idea of her only child not being there,” Ms Lisy said. His mother also loved the outdoors.

“John’s father had a friend who knew about the property in Newtown. John’s father thought it would be a good place to take his wife for a quiet place to go and find peace while her son was away,” she said. John carries warm memories of the land, Ms Lisy explained. He and his mother both “found a peacefulness there,” she said. “His mother loved that place and always said, ‘Don’t sell it, don’t sell it.’ I think John wanted to preserve that.”

She said, “It’s the way he wants it — to be open space forever.” They decided not to sell it despite the potential value. “I think John wanted it to be as is,” Ms Lisy said. “It’s beautiful, it’s next to trails and rolling hills — it’s lovely.” Contractors had expressed an interest, but the Lisys had learned about the town’s process in place for donations. She thanks Mr Sibley for “handling the details” that made the transaction an easier process for them.

The Lisys successfully followed the town’s open space process, said Mr Sibley. “The fruits of their labor will be enjoyed for years.”

He explained the process briefly: the first stop on the “open space journey” is the Conservation Commission’s review and recommendation. Commission members will access the property and review its environmental implications. Their recommendation is sent to the Board of Selectmen and then to Planning and Zoning. The Legislative Council will make the final acceptance.

The entire process is overseen by Mr Sibley. For more information, contact his office at 203-270-4350.