By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT – A small park on the Saugatuck River got a big boost Wednesday as the Board of Finance approved $436,000 in upgrades.

The plan, developed by the Parks and Recreation Department with SLR Consulting, calls for improved access to river vistas, replacing invasive plant species with native species, more trails, complete sidewalks along Riverside Avenue and 10 spots for parking. The sidewalk and parking improvements will be funded separately through a Department of Public Works request. 

A boardwalk along the river is possible in the future, Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Fava said, but is not part of this appropriation.

Located at 427 Riverside Ave. – a stone’s throw north of the Joseph J. Clinton VFW Post – the park is one of three on the west bank of the Saugatuck. The others are Pasacreta Park, 225 Riverside Ave., across from Sylvan Road South and the Sunoco station, and Eloise A. Ray Park, across from Lincoln Street.

Some finance board members said they had never visited the park, observing that many Westporters might not know it even exists. Some suggested that with the upgrades, a public awareness initiative would be in order.

A few people spoke during the meeting’s public comment portion, generally urging the need to prioritize planning, weigh spending decisions with public interest, and compared the project to the better-known Baron’s South property.

“Half a million dollars for half an acre? I mean it’s obscene,” said John Suggs, a former member of the Representative Town Meeting. Board of Finance Chairman Brian Stern later clarified with Fava that the park is, in fact, 6.5 acres.

Sal Liccione, an RTM member who serves on its Parks and Recreation Committee, stressed the need for regular maintenance of all town properties.

“Looking at this initially I was more hesitant” said board member Nancie Dupier, “but I’ve come out feeling that we should do it.”

“I look at this area down there by the river, it’s one of the most important aspects of this town …” she said. “It lays there neglected.”

Dupier said delaying improvements could cost more money, and noted that safety upgrades – including a possible blue light safety station and security cameras — also are needed. 

After the public comment period, board Chairman Brian Stern said, “The value being created here for the town, versus the $500,000, the $400,000 being spent on it, is a terrific investment.

“That’s my judgment, you may disagree,” he added.

Board member Sheri Gordon called Riverside Park, “a remarkable piece of property.”

“It’s one of the places I think we’ll get a lot of bang for the buck in terms of what it could become for a relatively small investment in terms of what it will eventually be utilized as. I can really see it becoming a science classroom … teachers will take field trips to Riverside Park.”

Board member James Foster stood fast.

“I’m for parks, I love parks and I have nothing against this park, but the prioritization is real …” he said. “I would love to see a vision for what the plan is over the next five to 10 years and then let’s be decisive once we have that.”

Jay DesMartean, Gordon, Lee Caney, Dupier and Stern voted in favor. Foster voted against. Andrea L. Moore was absent.