Summer Frustrations At Dickinson

By Kendra Bobowick

As the humidity clings to residents’ backs like a damp towel this week, the loss of the Dickinson Park pool stands out amid shared frustrations among parents and Parks and Recreation Commission members.

Resident Stephen Marron’s memories of growing up in Newtown and enjoying Dickinson Park during the summer do not match the reality his son faces at camps now run in the same place.

Ryan Marron, 8, started summer camp this week, and returned home Monday and Tuesday slightly sunburned, said Mr Marron. Other than signs of enjoying the sunshine, his son shared a camp experience that was a shadow of his own, he explained.

“On his first day he came home and said, ‘Dad, there’s a snapping turtle…’ and that was a legend 40 years ago,” he said, but Mr Marron’s smile soon faded.

Remembering his own camp experiences, and now looking at Dickinson in the past tense, he said, “That was a great experience.”

Since the pool has closed, enrollment has dropped significantly, as Parks and Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian had noted in the days before the school year ended.

Without a swimming pool, counselors now struggle to keep children cool.

The park’s irrigation system sprinklers have been turned on for campers, as Ryan described, and Parks and Recreation staff confirmed.

In addition, Ms Kasbarian said, “We have large water coolers, so there is always water available.”

Health codes prompted the pool’s closing, leaving the town with public swimming areas at Treadwell Park, and the high school’s indoor pool. Parks and Recreation staff battle against budget constraints and tried to explain their circumstances to Mr Marron Tuesday evening, as he voiced his disappointment during the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.

The Marrons, with their children Ryan and Ashley, 5, offered candid remarks about their unhappiness with Dickinson Park.

“I am distressed by the degradation of the park system in general, and although there are obstacles long-term, in the short-term [there is] nothing, and as far as I can tell Dickinson is turning into a Ram’s Pasture.”

Running the meeting was member Carlen Gaines, who replied, “The Board of Health closed the pool and everyone knew it was coming, and at the time we made a presentation [to the Board of Selectmen] looking for funds.” Additionally, a capital plan for improvements, which is revised and submitted to the town annually, also contained a package for a new pool.

“All the items in our capital plan were cut out,” Ms Gaines explained.

Comparing Newtown’s facilities to neighboring Danbury, where he described various “fun stations,” he said, “I am not here to get negative, I am just here to say it’s not going to get better.”

Karen Marron spoke up saying, “We’re concerned the kids aren’t going to be kept cool, and they like it there, but it’s 90 degrees and [Ryan] is there for 6 or 7 hours.”

Ms Gaines again turned the conversation to money, saying, “Park and Rec is the first thing cut in the budget.”

Ms Kasbarian also explained that other town departments have large expenses, such as high school expansions.

“Unfortunately, every time we come up with a plan we like, the Board of Education needs something, for example, and we get pushed farther down the pole.”

Noting a small refrigerator magnet that Ryan had gotten from the recreation office in Town Hall South that prompted residents to support local Parks and Recreation, Mr Marron brought this to the commissioners’ attention asking, “How do we support you?”

Ms Kasbarian was quick with her reply.

“Voices,” she said, “We need voices. We wish we had more people who would come to us and get involved.” She asked those concerned to send a letter with a copy to the Board of Selectmen.