By Jarret Liotta

WESTPORT — The Parks and Recreation Commission will potentially be taking some action on two conceptual plan drafts for Baron’s South Park at its meeting next Wednesday, Sept. 1, with its department recommending one that would require a zone change.

Urged on by the recent formation of a subcommittee of the Planning and Zoning Commission — which is advocating rezoning the property from its current passive open space to foster more organized activities and public facilities there — the two plan drafts include respective cost estimates of $1.8 million and $2.25 million.

“Draft conceptual plans have been developed for review and discussion by the Parks and Recreation Commission with the intention of being able to provide the Planning and Zoning Commission with guidance in terms of a vision for the property,” Jennifer Fava, director of the Parks & Recreation Department, wrote to the commission in a memo dated Aug. 19.

Only one of the two plans — identified as Conceptual Study A — would require a change to the current zoning, Fava writes, “as it includes some areas for active recreational activities.”

Among these are pickleball and bocce courts created in the lower northwest portion of the land, near the Westport Center for Senior Activities.

“The Parks and Recreation Department prefers Conceptual Study A,” Fava writes, “as it provides a number of elements that will enhance our park system and our ability to offer a variety of recreational opportunities for our community.”

She estimates the cost between $2.2 and $2.3 million, depending on the surface used for the pickleball courts.

“As we are aware, there is a demand for dedicated pickleball courts and we have limited property that is suitable for this purpose,” she writes. “While the sport is becoming more widespread among all age groups, a significant demand is by seniors making the location near the Westport Centers for Senior Activities an attractive site.”

Plan B is estimated to cost $1.8 million.

In both scenarios, Fava highlighted retaining passive aspects of the park, though these would be augmented by creating accessible pathways and access per guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“While adding limited amenities for active recreation, (plan A) still retains and improves the open space qualities and features of the property,” she writes. “It is important to keep the passive aspect to the park, but it does not have to be one or the other.”

“Therefore, the staff recommends the Parks and Recreation Commission provide the 2021 draft Conceptual Study A to the Planning and Zoning Commission for consideration in subcommittee,” Fava writes.