By Meghan Muldoon

WESTPORT–The Parks and Recreation Commission moved forward on two long-running priorities at its meeting Wednesday night, advancing discussions on a new Longshore maintenance facility and the department’s comprehensive Master Plan. While no formal decisions were made both initiatives are now slated for further review at the Commission’s April meeting.

Maintenance facility site narrows

After more than a year of study and discussion, officials are beginning to coalesce around a potential location for a new maintenance facility at Longshore. Parks and Recreation Director Erik Barbieri said the Cabin 10 site, situated between holes 16 and 17 on the golf course, has emerged as a leading option.

Barbieri described the location as advantageous because it “doesn’t have immediate neighbors” and is “pretty well shielded with existing vegetation,” noting that additional screening would be added. He emphasized the urgency of replacing the current maintenance building, which is more than 50 years old and no longer meets operational needs.

“We vetted it for over a year. The park guys need a new home and we need to make a decision,” Barbieri said, adding that new equipment is currently being stored outdoors due to a lack of adequate space. He called the project a “front burner issue” that would significantly improve the department’s operations.

While Barbieri said that he’s “excited” about the potential location, he stressed that the Cabin 10 site remains preliminary and that further engineering analysis is needed before any decision can be made. Commission Chair David Floyd said he expects schematics and additional analysis to be presented in April.

“Hopefully we’ll have a lot more information and can start making decisions next month,” Floyd said. “So getting close.”

Master plan nearing completion

The Commission also received an update on the long-awaited Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the first of its kind in more than 30 years, intended to guide future investments across Westport’s parks, beaches, and recreational facilities. 

Barbieri said Dominick Celtruda of BL Companies,the Meriden consultant hired to prepare the plan, is finalizing revisions and expects to deliver a draft by the end of March. Commissioners will receive the document in advance of the April meeting, where it will be discussed.

“Obviously it’s been taking longer than we would like, but I think we’re finally at the point where we’re going to have a draft,” Barbieri said.

The more than 200-page plan is expected to outline long-term priorities, many of which will require phased funding and permitting. Barbieri emphasized the importance of clearly communicating project scope and costs to the public before seeking approvals.

Following the Commission’s review, a public forum is anticipated in late April or early May, with possible action on the plan in May. Floyd underscored the need to maintain momentum.

“We need this done by, like, June,” he said, noting that summer schedules can make broader community engagement more difficult.

As with the maintenance facility, no action was taken at the March 18 meeting. Both items were moved to the agenda for the Commission’s next meeting scheduled for April 22.