New Canaan Commission Approves First Annual Music Festival
Parks and Recreation · Meeting of July 8, 2026
New Canaan parks panel approves the town's first annual music festival for September. The Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously backed musician Michael Smith's proposal for a September 19 festival at the New Canaan Nature Center, featuring about 10 bands on two stages from noon to 10 p.m., with no alcohol sales. The commission also renewed the Waveny ice rink's 2026-27 season after a brownout knocked out a pump for "eight or nine days" this past winter, and approved new paint colors for the Mary B cabin at Waveny Park.
Independence Day festival attendance fell to an estimated 2,000 to 3,000, down from about 8,000 in 2025, organizers said, blaming heat. Resident Betty Lavastic told the commission Kuanis Park has "no drinking fountain and no bottle refill" amid a recent heat wave with the heat index over 100, and asked for interim bottled-water deliveries. The Waveny Park Conservancy reported spending about $250,000 on design and planning over 18 months and is seeking a state grant of up to $150,000 for woodland restoration.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,657 words
Source: the Parks and Recreation meeting of July 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
The Full Article
Fourth of July Festival: Smaller Crowd, Smooth Execution
The July Fourth festival is New Canaan's largest annual town-run event, and the commission opened its meeting with a debrief from commission member Dave, who coordinated it. The question before the commission was simple: how did this year's event go, and what needs fixing before next year.
The numbers told a mixed story. Banko pool sales came in around 150 permits, which Dave called solid, and infrastructure held up: the emergency notification system, a Starlink connection used for reliable internet at the site, and coordination with town services all performed without issue. But unofficial attendance, estimated from parked cars, came in between 2,000 and 3,000 people, sharply below the roughly 8,000 who attended in 2025. Dave attributed the drop to a heat wave and an unfavorable weather forecast in the days leading up to the event. On the plus side, field parking was still available at 7:30 p.m., which he said is rare.
Volunteer and staff coordination drew specific praise. CERT handled parking as usual. Sven England worked with Jim Davis and Peter Berg to redirect pedestrians off Tiger Way. The band booked for the event, identified in the recording as "One Bad Oyster," is already confirmed to return next year. SLBs and the National Charity League ran activities including glow necklaces and flag stickers. Ten food trucks attended, coordinated by Tom Stadler with help from a staffer identified only as Zach. A new "sensory zone" at the Farm Road Field, organized by Lauren Tarzia with assistance from a staffer identified only as John, drew about 150 attendees. Sue Holland was credited, working with Greg Riley, for the event's social media plan. A financial tally was still being finalized and is expected at the commission's next meeting.
Commission members used the debrief to thank Dave personally. "Uh despite I know you had some some personal challenges the week beforehand and uh you were very stoic through the whole event and we really thank you bottom of our hearts," one commission member said. Another added that the event is a family tradition: "I just want to have that I mean my family looks forward to it every year. Wouldn't miss it."
No formal vote was taken on the festival debrief; it was an informational report only.
Waveny Ice Rink: 2026-27 Season Approval
The rink operates under an annual approval from the commission, and this year's renewal came with a postmortem on a rough winter. The question before the commission was whether to approve the rink's operating terms for the 2026-27 season.
A representative identified in the recording as Melanie Frank, and referred to elsewhere in the discussion as Virginia and Jean, said the season did not perform as well as 2025 because of a substantial delayed opening. The cause, she said, was a brownout that knocked out one leg of the rink's 230-volt HVAC system, disabling a pump for roughly eight or nine days during what she called prime opening time. Because the ice had partially melted, the rink had to be rebuilt rather than simply repaired once power was restored, extending the outage.
Commission members asked whether cold, windy conditions discourage visitors. The rink operator said wind is a factor at outdoor rinks generally, and recalled that one parent had once suggested closing the rink on an especially cold night out of concern for children, a suggestion she said she disagreed with. "But we do survive and move forward," she said of the season overall.
The commission voted to approve the rink for the 2026-27 season on a motion seconded by a commission member identified as Susan; the recording does not clearly capture who made the motion. The vote carried without recorded opposition.
Implication: the rink will operate again this winter under the same basic terms, with commission members flagging weather-dependent reliability as an ongoing operational risk rather than a reason to change the arrangement.
New Canaan Music Festival: A New Annual Event Takes Shape
This was the meeting's most substantial new business. Musician and 12-year New Canaan resident Michael Smith asked the commission to approve a new, hopefully annual, one-day music festival at the New Canaan Nature Center. The question before the commission was whether to authorize the event and the use of Nature Center grounds and a town-owned stage.
Smith described a festival modeled loosely on Waveny Park's summer concert series but expanded to a full day, with gates opening at 11 a.m. and music running from noon to 10 p.m. on September 19. He said he anticipates about 10 bands playing on two stages set up facing each other, near the Nature Center's sugar shack, so one act can start as the previous one wraps up. The festival will not sell alcohol; attendees will bring their own picnics, and Smith said the event is meant to evoke the kind of gathering the Nature Center previously hosted at its now-canceled Harvest Fest, a beer-and-wine fundraiser that ended last year.
Bill, a Nature Center representative who joined the meeting remotely, said the organization had already presented the concept about a month earlier to a town group that included Tucker Murphy, a fire chief and a police chief, and that the reception was favorable. He said the Nature Center will act as host while Smith organizes the event, similar to the arrangement the Nature Center has with Pet Pantry for its "Dog Days" event, and that the Nature Center itself will be the financial beneficiary of any surplus rather than Smith personally. He noted the group did not receive final confirmation to move forward until mid-May, leaving a compressed planning window.
Commission members pressed for specifics. Asked how many bands and whether music would be continuous, Smith said his stage and sound crew, drawing on his experience running a similar festival in Vermont, will keep acts to their scheduled stop times to preserve a near-continuous flow between the two stages, with an emcee bridging transitions. Asked about noise, Bill said the Nature Center has run comparable amplified events, including its former Harvest Fest and the Dog Days event, without receiving neighbor complaints; music at those events ends by 10 p.m. to respect the property's quiet hours. Smith said he would be attentive to volume and would address any complaints during the event itself.
On promotion, Smith said he plans to announce the band lineup around July 19, roughly two months ahead of the event, with detailed set times following about a month out, publicized through social media, a website and signage. He said he intends to reach out to Chamber of Commerce contact Laura and has not yet engaged town public-relations contact Rachel Lamp but may do so. He said he has already printed preliminary posters and a "coming soon" banner. Kids' programming remains in development but will include face painting, water balloons, an instrument-making activity and a dedicated kids' concert, drawing on Smith's separate work as a children's music performer and educator.
"Where's the stage going to be set up?" one commission member asked, prompting Smith's description of the dual-stage layout using a town-owned stage supplied by a vendor identified only as Ted, whose surname Smith said he could not recall.
The commission voted to approve the festival, with commission member Lindsay making the motion and commission member Melanie seconding. The vote was unanimous. The event is scheduled for September 19, with the commission's next regular meeting, September 9, falling before it.
Mary B Cabin: Paint Colors Approved Amid Master Plan Questions
The cabin, used by a local Girl Scout organization at Waveny Park, has not been repainted in at least 25 to 30 years, according to the volunteer group presenting the request. The question before the commission was whether to approve new exterior paint colors, which had already been reviewed and administratively approved by town official John How.
Mary Grace presented on behalf of the cabin's volunteer committee, with a colleague identified in the recording as Dan or Don also answering questions. The group is not changing the cabin's overall color scheme but will repaint faded surfaces and switch the trim from brown to green; all window and door trim will be included. The work is tied to a separate walkway replacement using new brick, funded through what the group described as a "brick campaign." Painting is expected to begin in August, once a Y day camp vacates the property, and to finish before Girl Scout programming resumes in September.
Commission member George raised a process question: whether the painting should be deferred until after completion of an ongoing Waveny Park master plan, given that a landscape architect working on that plan could recommend relocating the cabin out of the flood plain in which it currently sits. John How told the commission that decision framework is tied to water-quality testing at a nearby pond, which the town has stopped chlorinating; officials are now tracking what percentage of time the water meets bacteria standards for swimming, with data expected after Labor Day. How said the commission could vote on the painting independent of that timeline, since any future changes would be unlikely to involve paint color. The cabin committee said Y summer programming makes any timing outside their current window impractical, and that repeated deferrals would jeopardize the volunteer group's ability to keep pace with basic upkeep.
The commission approved the paint colors unanimously, with commission member Dave making the motion and commission member Sue seconding.
Waveny Park Conservancy: An 18-Month Progress Report
The Waveny Park Conservancy's executive director, appearing for what she described as an extended update covering the beginning of 2025 through the present, walked the commission through four areas of focus: the Anderson Pond restoration, coordinated landscaping around the west parking lot and covered porch, the Merritt Parkway Trail buffer project, and woodland management.
At Anderson Pond, the conservancy secured wetlands permission to remove about 50 Norway maple trees, which the director described as fast-growing, shallow-rooted invasives that outcompete native oaks, maples and beeches and drop seedlings directly into the watercourse. Landscape designer William Kenny worked with conservancy board member Leslie Cameron on a native-plant restoration plan, including stone steps to create a defined water-access point on the pond's far side. A first planting phase is targeted for this fall, with the full plan expected to roll out over several seasons.
The west parking lot and covered porch landscaping, designed with the firm Heritage Landscapes, remains in a preliminary design phase the conservancy is not yet ready to share publicly.
The Merritt Parkway Trail project, a two-thirds-of-a-mile buffer intended to reduce highway noise and visual impact along the trail, has grown more detailed since a previous presentation to the commission. Heritage Landscapes is now approaching a complete design-development phase, and the project has been broken into seven distinct sections rather than the four originally proposed, which the director said should make budgeting, bidding and phased construction more manageable. The first targeted section, a stretch to be moved inland, is planned for spring 2027. One section near Laurel Road is being held back because of anticipated bridge construction there, which the conservancy hopes could bring additional state "make-good" funding into the project.
A commission member pressed on the rationale. "I did ask uh lads about why are we doing this. I mean it we don't have any data that supports this," the member said, noting that a project reshaping trail routes invites public questions the conservancy should be prepared to answer. The director responded that Heritage Landscapes has measured decibel levels along the trail and estimates a reduction of at least 10 decibels once a barrier is fully continuous, comparing the change to the difference between standing next to an obtrusive sound and standing near an air conditioner. She cautioned that a partial barrier delivers little benefit until it is complete. She also noted that the trail's existing tree buffer, planted in the 1930s to shield an adjacent property from the Merritt Parkway's construction, is aging out: the white pines used in that original buffer have a roughly 100-year lifespan and are expected to fail within the next 20 years regardless of the conservancy's intervention.
Commission members asked for firmer data to support the project going forward. "I think you would get the could get that survey from from the residents. That just helps us to say, hey, other than the anecdotal, that just helps the committee," one member said, referring to anecdotal reports that trail users feel unsafe or avoid the trail because of highway noise. The director said the conservancy has purchased a trail-usage tracker and would consider using an intern to collect resident feedback more systematically. A second commission member asked how the seven-phase build-out would affect trail access over time; the director said most work will not require closing the trail outright, with the possible exception of a narrow wetland-corridor section, and said the project deliberately avoids boardwalk construction to keep costs down and preserve access for emergency vehicles and cross-country runners.
On woodland management, the conservancy has spent roughly a year to 18 months mechanically clearing invasive undergrowth, including privet, barberry, multiflora rose and bittersweet vine, from about 15 acres. The conservancy is applying for a Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection grant of up to $150,000 to fund reforestation with native hardwood seedlings and to address diseased beech, ash and black birch trees. The director said the conservancy is leaning against fencing off restoration areas, preferring low-profile mesh deer protection for individual trees over a visible perimeter barrier, though a single pilot fenced area remains under discussion.
The director closed with smaller updates: a fourth sculptural bench is being shipped from Scotland and expected to arrive this fall; the Waveny fountain basin, which repeatedly fills with algae, is slated for recoating once the pump issue and weddings scheduling allow; and the conservancy will hold a donor thank-you gathering on September 17. On finances, the director said the conservancy spent about $250,000 on design, planning and initial clearing work over the past roughly 18 months, against an annual maintenance commitment of about $100,000, and said the conservancy hopes to draw down town reserve funds allocated in prior years, 2022 through 2024, that went unused while the conservancy built reserves for the current round of larger projects.
No formal vote was taken on the conservancy report; commission members indicated the group would return in the fall, likely at the September 9 meeting, with more specifics on the trail project and other proposals.
Conservation Commission Report
Commission member Lindsay relayed a recap prepared by Tom Conan of the Conservation Commission, which advises the town on natural-resource management and coordinates with outside conservation organizations. Recent activity includes the Conservation Commission's support for a gas leaf blower ban, backing for a well-water testing initiative, and the creation of two new subcommittees: a communication committee and an open-space acquisition committee. Standing reports covered ongoing positive progress at Bristow Preserve, a South Avenue tree-replacement update from town staffer Tiger, and continued positive trends at the transfer station's recycling and composting operations. The Conservation Commission is now exploring state grant opportunities for additional open-space acquisition. No vote was required; this was an informational item.
Parks Department Report
Ryan, of the parks department, delivered several updates. The new Waveny Park playground opened to the public June 10 and has proven popular with campers and families. The town's 250th anniversary parade, featuring six town floats, was a success, with credit given to town staff and volunteers including Tucker Murphy and others identified in the recording as Lisa Mel or Melind and Tracy Carl. A Gauntlet lacrosse tournament ran concurrently with the parade weekend. Ryan said the town has received positive feedback about the fields and about visitors patronizing local restaurants and stores, citing comments attributed to a resident identified as Chip Ozio.
The parks crew has been restoring storm-damaged grounds, catching up on mowing and pruning, and preparing athletic fields for fall use. The Cal Ripken Championships began July 3 at Mead Park, followed immediately by the Independence Day fireworks; a Griffin and Ripken seven-on-seven tournament involving area high school teams is scheduled for the following weekend on the turf fields.
A commission member praised the post-fireworks cleanup, noting the parks and public works crews were on site by 5 a.m. and left the grounds largely litter-free despite windy conditions the previous night. Ryan said valuable lost-and-found items, such as car keys or sunglasses, are turned over to the police department, while bulkier items like chairs and coolers are held at the public works department's shop near the transfer station on Main Street. The same commission member also flagged that a vendor had left an installation sign attached to a fence after work was completed; Ryan said the department would remove it. No formal vote was taken; this was an informational item.
Public Comment: Kuanis Park Water and Plumbing Issues
Resident Betty Lavastic, of Old Norwalk Road, raised two issues during public comment. First, she asked that the commission ensure Zoom participants can confirm audio and video are working at the start of recorded meetings going forward, saying she and other remote attendees missed roughly the first four to five minutes of Wednesday's meeting. Second, and more urgently, she described conditions at Kuanis Park: no working drinking fountain or bottle-refill station, and plumbing problems in the men's and women's restrooms, during a recent stretch of heat index readings above 100 degrees. She said lifeguards have been refilling water bottles from an outdoor garden hose spigot meant for patio cleaning, and that she had emailed town official John How on June 22 and separately raised the plumbing issue with a staffer identified as Diana.
"So, can this commission okay to deliver to Kuanis a case of water a day so they could keep it in the refrigerator, not just for the patrons that come there with little kids, but also for the lifeguard and staff who work there when it gets very, very hot," Lavastic said, adding that she did not want another 30 days to pass without the fountain fixed.
Ryan responded that a plumber has already been contacted and is looking into both the water fountain and the restroom plumbing, and said he would follow up with Lavastic by email after discussing a bottled-water plan with staff identified as Steve and Dan, as well as John How. No vote was taken; commission members thanked Lavastic for raising the issue.
Adjournment
With no further business, the commission voted to adjourn on a motion from commission member Jean, seconded without a clearly identified second name in the recording. The meeting closed following the vote.
Commission member Dave — coordinated the Independence Day festival; made motions on two items. Commission member Jean — asked questions during the music festival discussion; moved adjournment. Commission member Lindsay — relayed the Conservation Commission report; moved approval of the music festival. Commission member Melanie — seconded approval of the music festival. Commission member Sue (also referred to as Susan) — credited for July Fourth social media coordination; seconded approval of the Mary B cabin painting and, as "Susan," the ice rink season. Commission member Michelle — asked questions during the conservancy report. Commission member George — raised the Mary B cabin/master plan timing question. Presiding chair — not identified by name in the recording. Ryan (surname given once in the recording as Le) — town Parks Department staff, delivered the parks report and responded to the Kuanis Park water complaint. John How — town official; approved Mary B cabin paint colors, discussed pond water-quality testing, consulted on the Kuanis Park water issue. Diana, Tiger, Brian, Steve, Dan — town staff referenced by first name only in connection with buildings-committee work, tree management, or the Kuanis Park water issue; roles not specified in the recording. Betty Lavastic, Old Norwalk Road — resident, public comment on Zoom access and Kuanis Park water/plumbing issues. Michael Smith — musician and 12-year New Canaan resident; proposed and will organize the new music festival. Bill — New Canaan Nature Center representative, joined remotely; described the Nature Center's role as festival host. Melanie Frank (also referred to in the recording as Virginia and Jean) — presented on the Waveny ice rink's 2026-27 season. Mary Grace, and a colleague identified as Dan or Don — presented the Mary B cabin painting request on behalf of the cabin's Girl Scout volunteer committee. Waveny Park Conservancy executive director (name uncertain; heard in the recording as both Michelle and Lucen) — delivered the conservancy's 18-month update. Tucker Murphy — town official referenced in connection with the music festival's earlier town review.
New Canaan Nature Center — host site and beneficiary of the proposed music festival; formerly ran the Harvest Fest fundraiser the festival replaces. Waveny Park Conservancy — delivered the 18-month progress report on Anderson Pond, the west parking lot/covered porch landscaping, the Merritt Parkway Trail and woodland management. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) — grant program of up to $150,000 the conservancy is applying to for woodland reforestation. Heritage Landscapes — landscape architecture firm designing the Merritt Parkway Trail buffer and west parking lot/covered porch plantings. Conservation Commission — recapped by commission member Lindsay via a written summary from Tom Conan; covered the gas leaf blower ban, well-water testing, and two new subcommittees. CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) — managed parking at the Independence Day festival. National Charity League and "SLBs" — volunteer groups running activity stations at the Independence Day festival. Chamber of Commerce (contact identified as Laura) — offered to help promote the music festival. Cal Ripken Championships and the Griffin and Ripken seven-on-seven tournament — summer sports events at Mead Park and the town's turf fields, referenced in the parks department report.