Residents Say Ball Field Plan Curves Foul

By Steve Bigham

The ongoing theme of Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting was Newtown’s shortage of ball fields, and several residents turned out to see what was being done about it. But not all of them were there to support construction of new sports facilities, at least not in their own back yard.

Most were residents of Old Farm Hill Road who were there to oppose a plan to build three baseball diamonds near their homes. The town owns a 13-acre plot of undeveloped land along this residential street. With the help of the Babe Ruth Association, which plans to lease the land, the town hopes to add it to its list of available playing space. Those living in the Old Farm Hill Road area plan to fight the plan. They fear that the presence of a playing field would increase traffic and jeopardize safety.

“I would rather have my child not play a sport than not be able to ride his bike to a neighbor’s house,” said Lucille LaPerch of Horseshoe Ridge Road.

Old Farm Hill, which lies between Old Green and Echo Valley roads has a steep hill that encourages excessive speed, according to the residents. The area is not conducive to ball fields and cars, they said.

Many residents said they would not have built their houses in this relatively new subdivision had they known it was going to become home to the Babe Ruth League. They were told about the town open space when they moved in, but never imagined it would be developed. The town was given the land nine years ago as part of a development deal. The land was turned over to Parks & Recreation in 1990.

“People say they want ball fields for kids, but not if it affects property values or jeopardizes safety,” one woman said.

But as Parks & Recreation Commission Chairman Larry Haskel points out, there may be little other choice. He and the Parks and Recreation Department are under great pressure to expand the town’s facilities.

“We understand that there are feelings. Parks & Rec only has a certain amount of land, and we’ll have to start turning kids away if we don’t do something,” he said. “The land was ours prior to homes being built there. We realize there is a problem. We’re not trying to steam roll this in.”

The Parks & Recreation has recommended the creation of a 40-acre sports complex to consolidate fields. This makes it easier to maintain and keeps the fields out of the neighborhoods, Park & Recreation director Barbara Kasbarian said. The obvious place to build a complex would be at Fairfield Hills, which is currently for sale by the state.

Last night, First Selectman Herb Rosenthal said he would not support a sports complex, saying it is a poor use of land. He assured residents that fields would be constructed at the Amaral Property on Elm Drive, and he is looking to strike a deal with the state for a field along Queen Street. Also, he said, a 5/6 school and another elementary school are expected to be built in the coming years, providing added fields. The town purchase of the Kazan property (to be used as a park) along Route 34 in Sandy Hook has also been discussed.

But residents at Monday’s meeting see the creation of a field here and a field there as simply a stopgap approach to a major problem. They too would like to see a sports complex built.

Mr Haskel reminded residents of Old Farm Hill that there is no malice intended on the part of his commission. Everything is contingent on what happens at Fairfield Hills.

“The entire commission is in favor of the town buying Fairfield Hills if it means we will get ball fields out of it,” he said. “There is no land unless Fairfield Hills comes about.”

Dennis Lapak, Babe Ruth president, said he was not looking to start a civil war, but said his organization became concerned that the town may not buy Fairfield Hills.

“We’re not trying to create problems. We just want to find space,” he said. “Unfortunately it might be in somebody’s neighborhood.”

The Parks & Recreation Commission’s next meeting is scheduled for December 1. At that time, it will set a public hearing to allow further discussion on the Old Farm Hill Road proposal.