Commission Backs $550,000 Merritt Trail Buffer Plan

Parks and Recreation · Meeting of October 14, 2026

NEW CANAAN — The New Canaan Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to endorse a roughly $550,000 Waveny Park trail-relocation project aimed at cutting Merritt Parkway noise. Waveny Park Conservancy representatives Scott Wilburry and Michelle Crookenden said sound readings showed areas behind existing berms were "29 percent quieter" and "53 percent quieter" than exposed sections, and cited trail-counter data of about 475 daily visitors. One commissioner pushed back on relying on anecdotal support, saying "I'm kind of a person that likes to look at hard data and information." The project still needs Town Council and Board of Selectmen approval, with briefings set for October 21 and November 10.

Separately, commissioners tabled a New Canaan High School student's proposal for a free fishing-gear lending station at Mill Pond until November, citing unresolved liability and storage questions.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,561 words

Source: the Parks and Recreation meeting of October 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.

The Full Article

Minutes and Roll Call

The commission opened without Chair George Bennington, who was absent; another member chaired in his place. Members approved the September 9 minutes with one correction: a public commenter originally recorded as "Reese Milley" was corrected to Neil Baker Stinchman. The vote was unanimous, with a remote member participating by phone confirming approval.

Tick-Borne Disease Update

Background and stakes: The health department presents to the commission periodically on tick-borne illness because parks staff and residents use wooded trails where exposure risk is highest.

The question before the body: This was an informational briefing, not a vote.

The town's health director, introduced to the commission as Amy and identified in the presentation as "Emil Haney," gave an overview of tick biology, prevention and local disease data. New Canaan submitted 118 ticks for testing in the last fiscal year: 46 tested positive for Lyme disease, 18 for babesiosis and two for anaplasmosis. The town's reported human Lyme disease case count peaked at 29 in 2024, with lower totals in the data presented for 2025 and 2026. Haney also flagged a newer concern, the Asian longhorned tick, which has become established along the Connecticut shoreline but is not yet confirmed to transmit disease to humans. A commissioner asked how the tick-testing figures relate to the human-case figures; Haney clarified that the submitted-tick numbers reflect insects tested at the state lab, while the human case counts come only from laboratory-confirmed diagnoses reported under state communicable-disease rules, not symptom-based self-reports. No motion was made; the item was for awareness only.

Waveny Park Conservancy: Fourth Bench and the Merritt Trail Project

Background and stakes: The Waveny Park Conservancy has pursued a multi-year plan to reduce Merritt Parkway traffic noise along the park's trail system, an effort that predates this meeting by several years and was previously presented to the Board of Finance, Town Council, Board of Selectmen and Conservation Commission. The Conservancy has been accumulating a town-approved annual allocation for the work rather than spending it immediately, a financing approach town officials say is no longer the preferred method going forward.

The question before the body: Whether the commission would endorse the Conservancy moving into construction-planning and bidding for a specific trail segment, designated Section 3, as a precursor to review by the Town Council and Board of Selectmen.

Scott Wilburry and Michelle Crookenden, respectively a Conservancy representative and the organization's executive director, told the commission the fourth memorial bench sculpture has been placed temporarily in the park and asked for input on a permanent location; commissioners asked the Conservancy to look at a few alternative spots and return with a recommendation rather than deciding that night.

On the trail project, Wilburry presented sound readings taken behind and in front of two existing earthen berms the Olmsted Brothers installed when the parkway was built. He said readings were 29 percent quieter behind the Lapham-side berm and 53 percent quieter behind the berm near South Avenue, data he said demonstrates berms "are effective" at reducing perceived noise. The plan for Section 3 would pull roughly 200 feet of trail back from the parkway edge, filling the old route with native plantings once the new section opens, while preserving the ability to keep the existing trail in use during cross-country season. Heritage Landscapes, the design firm, estimated pre-construction costs near $550,000, with a three-to-four-month build once bids are secured; Wilburry cautioned the figure could shift once construction drawings are complete. The Conservancy proposed splitting the cost roughly 50-50 between its own funds and town money already set aside for the broader trail effort.

Crookenden and Wilburry presented two usage datasets: an infrared trail counter showing about 475 daily crossings, with usage peaking between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and falling off overnight, and a cellphone-geofencing estimate from Placer.ai suggesting roughly 190,000 annual park visits, with about 80,000 of those specific to the area south of the Conservancy's driveway, excluding recreational facilities. Both presenters acknowledged the geofencing figure is a modeled estimate, not a hard count, and that the trail counter likely undercounts visitors walking closely together.

The deliberation centered on whether anecdotal support was sufficient grounds for a six-figure recommendation. One commissioner, participating by phone, said repeatedly that the record relied too heavily on personal accounts: "I'm kind of a person that likes to look at hard data and information. ... I'm not seeing the benefit in terms of how many people or how it benefits the town and community." Another commissioner countered from firsthand experience: "I can't even hear my music on my earbuds when I get to the peak and I'm coming down. That is the loudest part right there." Wilburry and Crookenden said the Conservancy deliberately avoided a formal survey, reasoning that such surveys "self-select for all the people that are saying, this is the best thing since sliced bread," and said they instead relied on usage counts and years of informal conversations with residents, town boards and the Conservation Commission. A third commissioner summarized the group's position before the vote: "I am comfortable to say this is a really very professional and very well-thought project... with the caveat that there's going to be other town bodies that are going to look at this from other perspectives."

On funding mechanics, a commissioner asked whether the money set aside was specific to this project. Wilburry said the Conservancy had been building up its annual town allocation for several years with the town's knowledge, intending it for a larger trail project, and that the town has since shifted its approach to tie allocations to specific projects going forward. Asked how much remains on the town's books for the Conservancy, Wilburry answered, "I think it's 682,000. I think that's the number," while acknowledging he was not certain and suggesting the figure be confirmed. Parks Director John Howe, referenced by commissioners discussing the funding history, was described as having met with town finance staff, identified in the discussion only as Deanna and Tucker, to confirm the process.

Procedural steps and outcome: A commissioner moved to approve Section 3, with the Conservancy to report back on plans for a prospective Section 4. The motion passed with all members in favor, including the member participating remotely, with no opposition or abstentions recorded. The endorsement is advisory; Wilburry said the Conservancy next briefs the Town Council on October 21 and gives a courtesy update to the Board of Finance on November 10, with the Board of Selectmen required to approve the eventual construction contract and the Town Council required to approve the change in use of town property. Wilburry said construction would not begin before spring 2027 at the earliest.

Implications and what is next: The vote clears the way for the Conservancy to seek competitive construction bids once design drawings are finished, but final approval rests with the Town Council and Board of Selectmen, not the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Rod Share: A Student-Led Fishing Equipment Proposal

Background and stakes: Jack Karshman, president of New Canaan High School's fishing club, brought a self-developed proposal to place a free community fishing-gear lending station at Mill Pond, near an existing message board close to the dam.

The question before the body: Whether the commission would approve installing the station, funded by resident donations and run by club volunteers.

Karshman described an eight-foot-tall, four-foot-wide wooden structure holding rods, basic tackle and a QR code linking to instructional material, with hooks and tackle stored in closed containers. He said the project would be funded through donated equipment and member contributions, would not replace the legal requirement that anglers 16 and older hold a fishing license, and would include a volunteer rotation to inspect gear weekly and remove damaged items.

Commissioners were supportive of the concept but raised three concerns in deliberation: liability if borrowed gear caused injury or damage, where the structure would be stored in winter since "there's really nowhere to store it in town," and how the program would continue after Karshman graduates. "I think leaving it up is an inviting problem," one commissioner said, warning that an unlocked, unattended station could be vandalized or have equipment taken off-season. Another commissioner suggested having town counsel review liability questions before final approval and asked whether a teacher sponsor could provide continuity.

Procedural steps and outcome: No vote was taken. The commission asked Karshman to return in November after consulting with the town attorney on liability and working out a winter storage plan, with Parks Director Howe offering to help him work through those questions before the next presentation.

Implications and what is next: The proposal is expected back before the commission in November; commissioners signaled general support contingent on resolving the open legal and logistical questions.

Garden Club Annual Report

Background and stakes: The New Canaan Garden Club gave its periodic update on civic horticultural work it performs in partnership with the town, including at Waveny House's walled garden and at Irwin Park.

The question before the body: Informational only; no vote was requested.

Co-presidents Olivia English and Dow Engel described smaller annual projects, including flower deliveries to Waveny Care Center and the New Canaan Inn, holiday wreaths distributed with the New Canaan Beautification League, and funding of roughly $10,000 to $12,000 annually raised through the club's garden tour and plant sale. On larger public spaces, the club described ongoing invasive-species removal and native planting at Irwin Park, including a native meadow, gazebo-area restoration and a new native-tree border, plus plans for a 2027 flower show at Waveny House and a third garden tour in 2028. English and Engel also said the club will spend roughly $6,000 to $7,000 this year to clean and stain wood fencing around Waveny House's walled garden.

Implications and what is next: No commission action was required; the club's Irwin Park committee chairs are scheduled to brief the commission in more detail in November.

Park Condition Reports

Irwin Park: Commissioners who toured the park described fields and trails as well maintained, though moss growth on shaded FlexiPave surfaces remains an unresolved slip-hazard concern Howe said the town has not solved despite trying "a few different things." Howe said the historic house at Irwin Park remains unusable, having lost running water, heat and bathrooms when utilities were disconnected during nearby demolition work; the New Canaan Historical Society wants to relocate the building to its own campus but cannot proceed because the State Historic Preservation Office has not released an easement that runs until 2031.

Waveny Park: A commissioner reporting on the park (identified only as Susan and Tim) said the children's playground remains heavily used, a new girls' softball clay infield is planned, and Parks and Recreation has taken over the middle school cross-country and track program previously run by an outside contractor. The caffeine and carburetors car show was canceled by organizers due to wet grounds; the Fall Festival was postponed to October 30 due to weather. Commissioners also discussed littering and speeding near the playground parking lot, noting plans for a crosswalk connecting the new west parking lot once design work is finished.

Mead and Dixon Parks: A new irrigation system is complete and operating with less downtime than its predecessor; pickleball and tennis membership both grew this year, driven respectively by senior passes and family/youth passes. Dixon Park had tree work done after storm damage but remains in good condition.

Kiwanis Park: Tim reported the park's pond operated without chlorination for a full summer for the first time, with the YMCA shuttling campers to its own pool on days when bacterial testing closed the pond; the pond was closed for about a week total, less than the prior year, under a more frequent testing protocol triggered by rain events. Park usage fell: scans into the park dropped from 228 visitors and 919 total scans in 2025 to 141 visitors and 669 total scans in 2026, a 27 percent decline attributed partly to weather.

Director's Report and Lapham Community Center Policy

Parks Director John Howe reported the caffeine and carburetors event was canceled after the town determined the Waveny House courtyard was too wet to use. He said Lapham Community Center flooded twice this summer due to a blocked drainage pipe installed roughly 30 years ago; crews are digging roughly 20 feet down to locate the blockage, and Medicare counseling normally held at Lapham has been relocated to Waveny House in the interim.

Howe also outlined a developing policy to let non-residents use Lapham Community Center programs for a fee, with residents given a roughly two-week priority registration window and a program cap near 100 participants, up from about 88 currently enrolled. Certain high-demand offerings, such as Medicare counseling and blood pressure screening, would remain resident-only. Howe said the policy will come to the commission for approval, likely in November, before going to the Board of Selectmen, which sets program fees. He said feedback so far has been supportive: "So far, I haven't had anybody come to me and say, this isn't a good idea. I've only had people support it."

George Bennington, Chair — absent Acting chair — presided in Bennington's absence; name not stated in transcript David — commission member, participated by phone Doug — commission member Lindsay — commission member Susan — commission member, delivered Waveny Park report Tim — commission member, delivered Waveny and Kiwanis Park reports John Howe — Parks Director, Town of New Canaan Amy/Emil Haney — Director of Health, town health department (surname and first name both uncertain from ASR) Scott Wilburry — representative, Waveny Park Conservancy Michelle Crookenden — Executive Director, Waveny Park Conservancy Jack Karshman — President, New Canaan High School Fishing Club Olivia English — Co-President, New Canaan Garden Club Dow Engel — Co-President, New Canaan Garden Club Jeff — mentioned regarding Irwin Park work; no surname given Scott Lowe — incoming president of an unnamed affiliated organization Kai Drexler — incoming treasurer of same organization Tom O'Day — continuing director of same organization Ryan Miskead — town park maintenance staff, referenced by Howe Deanna and Tucker — town finance/administration staff referenced regarding Conservancy funding; no surnames given

Waveny Park Conservancy — nonprofit partner presenting the Merritt Trail Section 3 realignment and the fourth memorial bench placement Heritage Landscapes — design firm that produced schematic and development-stage designs and cost estimates for the Merritt Trail project Placer.ai — commercial geofencing data provider cited for the 190,000 annual visitor estimate New Canaan High School Fishing Club — student organization proposing the Mill Pond "Rod Share" station New Canaan Garden Club — civic organization reporting on Waveny House and Irwin Park horticultural projects New Canaan Historical Society — seeking to relocate the former Irwin Park house to its own campus, blocked by a state easement Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office — holds the easement, not set to expire until 2031, preventing relocation of the Irwin Park house YMCA (New Canaan) — partnered with the town on Kiwanis Park pool operations during pond testing closures Town Council, Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance — town bodies that must separately review or approve the Merritt Trail project and the proposed Lapham non-resident use policy September 9, 2026 minutes — corrected at this meeting to reflect commenter Neil Baker Stinchman's name