New Milford Parks & Rec Approves National Night Out, Renaissance Fair Plans

NEW MILFORD, CT — The New Milford Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously approved three facility requests during its July 20 meeting, including permits for a National Night Out event, a Renaissance Fair and an amendment allowing a car show during a previously approved Wheels for Wheels event.

The commission first approved an amendment to a facilities request from Wheels for Wheels LLC, adding a car show to the organization's Sept. 12 event at Youngs Field. Parks and Recreation Director Daniel Calhoun said the car show would be limited to the area from the playground to the stairs, with spectator parking outside the park. Wheels for Wheels also agreed to hire a landscaping company to make any needed repairs and to make a final decision by noon the Friday before the event based on weather and field conditions. The motion passed unanimously.

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Commission members also unanimously approved a request from the New Milford Police Department to use JPCC Fields A and C from 4 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 4 for the town's first National Night Out event. Officer John Legan said the event will include a Touch-A-Truck display, bounce houses and vendors and is expected to draw about 200 attendees.

The commission unanimously approved a third facilities request from the Mayor's Office for a Renaissance Fair on the middle and southern town green from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 12, 2027.

Commissioners also unanimously approved the minutes of the June 15 meeting after correcting the dates listed for the John Henkel facilities request.

In his director's report, Calhoun said recent storms required crews to address tree damage and mulch parks throughout town. He reported that Girl Scouts camped at Clatter Valley Park for a week, with Public Works supplying water because the park lacks a water source. He also said the town's Information Technology Department is installing Wi-Fi at Youngs Field and Clatter Valley, and that he planned to present capital funding requests to the Town Council.

Calhoun said summer camps were at full capacity and noted the Connecticut Department of Public Health had completed its five-year inspection of the town's water system, requesting replacement of a well cap and installation of a chrome water sampling tap. He also reported that sponsorships for this year's road race had reached $12,000 and said commission members discussed replacing temporary construction signs on the town green with permanent signage to advertise upcoming events.

Programs and Special Events Director Denise Del Mastro reported that summer camps remained busy despite extreme heat, which led to cancellation of a Connecticut Science Center field trip because of transportation concerns. She said staff members continue to monitor activity at each campsite, are working with the Youth Agency to expand adaptive programming, and expect to provide additional information on new Red Ball equipment and an August basketball hoop camp at the commission's next meeting. Del Mastro also commended Calhoun's leadership of the department.

The financial report showed the Parks and Recreation Department exceeded its revenue goals for both recreation and parks operations. There was no public comment, correspondence, old business or new business. The commission adjourned unanimously at 7:33 p.m.