Greenwich Selectmen Approve 2022 Parks & Recreation Fees

GREENWICH, CT — Although winter is in full-swing, residents can begin to think about warmer days ahead.

Last week, the Greenwich Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the Parks and Recreation fee schedule for 2022 with limited increases.

The fees for seasonal and daily beach passes will remain the same as 2021, but a small increase was added for the Griffith E. Harris — the first increase there in three years.

Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Blaize Levitan said the department reviews fees each year based on Board of Estimate and Taxation guidelines, stated goals from the town administration and department objectives and market analysis.

"We kept everything pretty limited," Levitan told the Board of Selectmen last week.

Levitan said there is already high demand for beach passes due to the pandemic and people being cooped up in their homes during the winter months.

"There's a surge in demand online already. We already have almost 5,000 applications which is huge, and it's only Jan. 13," Levitan said. "We're at almost March, April numbers already. It's important to get the system up and running because people are itching to think about spring and summer."

A first read of the fee schedule was held before the board in December. Since then, there hasn't been much feedback from the community.

"I haven't heard anything at all from people," said Camillo. " I know you posted it on the website, and we put it out there. I haven't heard anything. I had a few discussions with golfers and they thought it was absolutely fine. I think it's good to go on my end."

Greens fees to play 18 holes at the Griffith E. Harris Golf Club on weekdays have gone up from $31 last year to $32 this year. On weekends and holidays, the price is $38, up from $36 in 2021.

For seniors on weekdays, the price has gone up from $23 to $24. On weekends and holidays, it's a $2 increase to $38.

The fee to play nine holes has increased by $1 for all age groups.

Additionally, membership cards for tennis will cost $35, but after April 15, the fee will rise to $40. The lost card fee will be $10, up from $5 in 2021.

There are also increases at the Dorothy Hamill Rink and at the Western Greenwich Civic Center for pickleball and volleyball, among other small increases around town for field usage, boating, skatepark clinics, and camps.

The fee schedule and information on how to apply for passes will be posted on the Parks and Recreation webpage.