Fiscal Year 22 Annual Report

essential
Value
equity
Opportunity
sustainability
It is important to remember and consider the value and impact
recreation and park services have on their communities. This
annual report identifies the need and importance of providing
opportunities for activity and connections.
The benefits are endless in terms of health and wellness, safe social
spaces, and education of our community.
essential
Value
equity
Opportunity
sustainability
It is important to remember and consider the value and impact
recreation and park services have on their communities. This
annual report identifies the need and importance of providing
opportunities for activity and connections.
The benefits are endless in terms of health and wellness, safe social
spaces, and education of our community.
Waterford Recreation & Parks Commission

Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report
FY’2022 ANNUAL REPORT
RECREATION & PARKS COMMISSION
The Recreation and Parks Commission welcomes Jim Gregg in
2022, joining Nan Scheiber, Steve Elci, Kenny Hall, Rich Ericcson,
Melissa Chiappone, Ed Murphy, Traci Santos, and Lucas Beaney. We
are very grateful for the time and efforts of the commission in
attending our events, helping shape our operations, and
understanding what a vital role recreation and parks play in a
community.
We have to fake a smile and fondly wave to Sue Gardiner as we will
miss her in so many ways. Sue has helped the commission navigate
change and needs of the community since 2009! And that merely
represents her time on the Recreation and Parks Commission. It is
in her nature to be involved and care about our residents, so we still
expect to see the Gardiner family at future functions!
The Commission was not the only ship to take on heavy water.
After 48 years of service, Office Coordinator Ann Nolan decided it
was time to retire. Director Brian Flaherty was offered a great
opportunity working for CT DEEP and retired after 23 years of
service to the town. Their knowledge of the operations and

procedures will be a large loss for the town and we wish them well
in their next chapter.
In an effort to make lemonade, we are realizing the opportunities in
front of us to change and create better practices by having new staff
and direction. Staff have improved communication with other town
departments and discussed how reports or new processes could best
be handled, proper submittals for financials and new software, etc.
The Community Center operations and staffing have changed over
the year to formally integrate Youth and Family Service
programming to the building. We are welcoming new staff members
in Human, Youth, and Senior and joining forces to work together
for the best of the community.
Let’s take a look at universal recreation and park benefits
The impact that Waterford Recreation and Parks has on its residents
goes even further to meet the standard of benefits. Waterford is
blessed with beach waterfront, acres of open space and developed
parks/trails, athletic facilities (including pool opportunities), and a
Community Center. These are ideal amenities for many individuals
and families looking to find permanent residency.
Our department is committed to establishing best practices to
provide acceptance, accessibility, and a “belonging” to our Town
and activities. In doing so, we review national trends and what
opportunities should be provided to residents.
Priority: Promoting Community Wellness
Many Americans live sedentary lifestyles, especially today. Parks
help provide places for community members to get outside and be
active, encouraging a healthier lifestyle.
Studies have linked parks to increased aerobic exercise. Local green
spaces spurred a 25.6% increase in people getting active at least
three times a week. Incorporating outreach with a new recreation
area led to 48.4% in exercise with a subsequent rise in aerobic
capacity of 5.1%.

The wellness benefits extend past encouraging better physical
health — parks and recreation areas can also help improve mental
health. Increasing green space nearby by only 10% led to a decrease
in health complaints. Simply viewing nature-inspired scenery led to
reports of less fear and anger and more considerable attention and
peacefulness.
Communities need to promote their residents’ well-being. Creating
recreation areas is one way to cater to the needs of both mind and
body. Community members may use the park to walk their dog,
play basketball, ride their bike or enjoy a picnic with friends.
Regardless of how they choose to use the space, they’ll be able to
benefit in their own way from the opportunity for physical, mental
and social health that a park provides to all.
The environmental benefits of parks are equally as important as the
health benefits. Public parks give developers the chance to plant
indigenous flora and entice native fauna to the area. Residents get
to see what plants grow naturally in the region, while caretakers
reap the benefits of needing to provide less care to plants adapted
to the climate. Conserving wildlife in parks helps to sustain nature,
even in the most populated, urban areas.
Air pollution from cars and industrial plants can reach dangerous
levels for the residents where planting trees in recreation areas can
combat this problem.
Each acre of tree cover can remove 80 pounds of pollution from the
air. Across the United States, this adds up to an estimated 75,000
tons of pollution removed from the air, which provides the national
economy a $500 million dollar benefit.
In addition to removing pollution, trees and green spaces also use
carbon dioxide (CO2) to create food. Decreasing pollution from the
atmosphere will help reduce climate change. Each acre of trees
removes 1.2 tons of carbon dioxide each year. An acre of trees

stores 40 tons of CO2, while the same area of soil holds 32 tons of
this gas.
Social inequality presents a serious problem for town planners.
However, parks could help the situation by providing residents of
low-income neighborhoods with safe spaces to visit. People already
feel safe in parks. In the study of people’s perceptions of park
safety, the 48 parks were mostly in low-income neighborhoods.
Minorities felt safer in the parks by a sizable percentage, especially
in certain situations such as during daylight or when the park had a
crowd.
Encouraging all groups to use parks means encouraging people from
every income level to take advantage of the amenities.
Three in four U.S. adults say it is important that they have access to
public walking, hiking or biking trails near their home
Nearly half of all U.S. adults say it is extremely or very important
that they have access to public walking, hiking or biking trails near
their home
Residents in Western states are most likely to say it is extremely or
very important that they have access to public walking, hiking or
biking trails near their home
Eighty-four percent of millennials say it is important that they have
access to public walking, hiking or biking trails near their home

Nine in 10 park and recreation agencies take specific actions to
ensure their health and wellness programs and services promote
health equity
Eighty-four percent of park and recreation agencies offer in-person
fitness and exercise programs
Seventy-two percent of park and recreation agencies offer virtual
fitness and exercise programs
Park and recreation agencies are leaders in addressing public health
threats, such as physical inactivity, chronic diseases, social isolation
and loneliness, and food access.
What is Waterford doing in the Parks?
In our maintenance division, the main focus is to provide safe
connecting spaces. A park accessibility review and improvement
schedule is being created through staff and commission member
sub-committees. Efforts have already been made at Waterford Beach
Park connecting the parking lot to the causeway and providing an
accessible route all the way to the waterfront. In the Civic Triangle,
clearing and trail work has been performed with direction from
plans to provide access from corner to corner.
We are starting to phase in better utilization of equipment and
prioritizing reducing our carbon emission footprint. We have
replaced our previous mowing/equipment brand with a Ventrac
system that allows the base machine to interchange by using a
variety of attachments, depending on the work. Machines will no
longer simply be mowers. This equipment can now broom walks
and parking lots, remove snow, get into trail spaces we have never
been able to reach with equipment before, and more. We are also
transitioning to electric powered hand tools where possible.
Quick review of Maintenance accomplishments:

Cataloguing Town gardens and trees for education on care/
maintenance
The Jordan Park House electric lines were installed with the Utility
Department, providing the appropriate amount of power for events
and gatherings
Continued improvements at Waterford Beach Park: the accessible
walk is scheduled to be treated/sealed in the spring – bathroom
schedules have been adjusted to accommodate seasonal use - tree
and other plantings continue to be installed – a water line repair
was completed with the Utility Department to allow for better shut-
off and seasonal options – testing of water quality continues to be
monitored by Ledgelight and reported weekly during operations
Jordan Park House wetland plantings and environmental buffer.
The park side of the wetland has been established and receiving
attention from the Pollinator Pathways and Thames River Garden
Club as well as our maintainers for continued growth and
improvements. The Nevins Cottage side is anticipated to begin in
Spring 2023
Support has been given for clearing of trees/access points to allow
for information and discovery in the Arnie Holmes pond dredging
and connecting walkways presented in the Civic Triangle plan
Wood Program continues to be administered annually in the colder
months. Households serviced continues to grow.
Removal of old shrubs and debris in front of the Nevins Cottage
property and replaced with split rail fencing to carry the theme of
the historic district/Jordan Park
The Fish Ladder at Jordan Mill Park is currently under repair
The turnaround/drop-off parking at Leary Park has been
transformed from a failing juniper island to a new, solar lit flag pole
surrounded by a cobblestone base. The island was re-mulched and
plantings will be installed in the spring. There is now an
appropriate place to look when playing the anthem before athletic
events.

What’s Next?
Looking Ahead : FY’23 and Beyond
Shade structure at Children’s Playground – funded through the
Gardiner Family Foundation to provide much needed shade for
relief hot, sunny days.
Surface Repairs on basketball and tennis courts are being reviewed
for best durability and playability
An accessible walk at Pleasure Beach will be installed in Spring
2023 after continued review of plans
We are planning an improved pathway from the parking area to the
Stenger Dog Park.
Identifying ways to gain better access to the Leary Park lower fields
Continued trail development/mapping and use discussion on Barry
Farm and Sportsmen Club
Exploring the extension of accessibility mat along the dune fencing
at Waterford Beach Park
Irrigation at Leary and Veterans fields
Leary playground improvements
Veterans War Park walk repairs – bricks, replace edge supports, etc.
Researching Town owned 800’ waterfront on Scotch Cap for
residential use
Discussion of potential maintenance operation/garage relocation to
Waterford Beach Park from the Civic Triangle
Property Use review to include SW School property, Marilyn Road
Parklet, Little League North facilities

These projects and goals are on top of the seasonal and regular
landscaping responsibilities. Weather plays a large role in what
projects we can take on and accomplish. We will always strive to
continually update park accessibility and performing any necessary
improvements at all areas under our jurisdiction.
275 million people in the United States visited a local park or
recreation facility at least once during the past year
Nearly three in four U.S. residents have at least one local park,
playground, open space or recreation center within walking
distance of their homes
84 percent U.S. adults seek high-quality parks and recreation when
choosing a place to live
Nine in 10 people agree that parks and recreation is an important
service provided by their local government
Nearly three in four people agree that equity should in
an extremely or very important goal for their local park and
recreation agency
275 million people in the United States visited a local park or
recreation facility at least once during the past year
Nearly three in four U.S. residents have at least one local park,
playground, open space or recreation center within walking
distance of their homes
84 percent U.S. adults seek high-quality parks and recreation when
choosing a place to live
Nine in 10 people agree that parks and recreation is an important
service provided by their local government
Nearly three in four people agree that equity should in
an extremely or very important goal for their local park and
recreation agency

Priority: Encouraging Activity and Social Skills in our Community
With recess at schools averaging 10 to 35 minutes a day, kids may
not have enough time for social interaction at the school
playground. Having a park in their neighborhood allows them to
meet other kids outside their peer group and learn how to interact
with each other.
While kids see the same peers at school every day, visitors at a local
playground or park may change regularly. With new friends to
make and people to meet, kids visiting their community
playgrounds can continue to build their social skills outside of
school.
When kids get to play outside instead of indoors, it increases the
positive impact of physical activity. Kids who spend time outside
have:
Better test scores
Better cognitive function
Fewer behavioral problems
Fewer signs of ADHD
Improved self-discipline
Getting kids to play has risen to such high levels of importance that
doctors prescribe time outdoors for some patients as part of a push
by the National Recreation and Park Association. Pediatricians have
recognized the advantages of a park for their patients.
Childhood is a different holistic experience for every kid. Kids need
hands-on learning opportunities outside of the classroom, and
community playgrounds can be an enriching space for kids to learn
and have fun.

For children with disabilities, finding ways to get active can be
difficult. A park with an inclusive playground that allows kids of all
abilities to play lets everyone in on the fun.
Kids who engage with others of differing abilities from themselves
increase their positive feelings for others. A study from the
University of Nebraska Lincoln showed that preschool kids who
interacted more frequently with kids with disabilities had a more
positive attitude toward all people with disabilities.
Luckily, community parks can be a fun, cost-effective way to keep
kids occupied. Parks, especially those with innovative playgrounds,
give parents a break from the usual routine, and kids get the chance
to release their energy. Regardless of the number of kids in a
family, a trip to the park is easy on a family budget.
Ninety-eight percent of U.S. adults agree that it is important to
provide youth with equitable access to sports opportunities.
Eighty-six percent of millennials and parents agree that it
is extremely or very important to provide youth with equitable
access to sports opportunities.
Eighty-eight percent of parents with children between the ages of
13 and 17 agree that it is extremely or very important to provide
youth with equitable access to sports opportunities.
What is Waterford doing for program and event opportunities?
This component of our operations has been challenging over the
past year. In 2021, the Program Coordinator of 38+ years retired
and a new employee began in April of 2022. This was an interesting
transition as we uncovered the “why” and “how” on the position
responsibilities and ways to streamline and improve overall
operations. Unfortunately, the new hire for the positon was
persuaded to another higher paying position elsewhere in the state.

We are currently active in the recruitment process in filling the
position. Although we await a fulltime program coordinator, we
continue to provide our
fitness staples and look to invigorate a community that has been
slow to recover from restrictive lifestyles.
Pickleball needs to be at the top of every providers list. Our courts
in town are dominated on a daily basis by eager players of all ages.
Recreation and Parks is working with the Town to improve the
court surfacing at our existing facilities as well as providing an
additional location in the Civic Triangle. We continue to support
the activity with the purchase of portable nets for the four courts at
Leary Park and the two courts at Waterford Beach Park. These court
facilities were lined for both tennis and pickleball.
Another new program we are extremely excited about is E-sports
which takes the competition and team environment to the gaming
stations. Although this activity presented itself as an opponent
during its initial concept, we have come to realize its impact on our
residents and the benefits this program can provide. We will be
promoting less screen time and education on the balance of
electronics and wellness while also allowing for a large number of
residents to socialize and compete in popular gaming tournaments.
E-sports now offers college scholarships and we will be one of the
first in the area to promote and provide this opportunity.
During our review of offerings, the staff felt there was not enough
of a presence or programming in our Aquatics section. In the fall we
began offering private swim lessons for all ages and are now
offering water sports programming on Wednesday evenings.
We recognize the struggles with learning and play time in the
school systems. Recreation and Parks is looking to build an after
school relationship where programming can take place right in the
schools. This provides more free-play time that is needed to combat
the decreasing time allowed for recess. Allowing these opportunities
at the school also provides families with ease of transportation.
A new Special Revenue Account was created for FY’23. The account
structure provides that funding for the program be borne of the

actual participants. We are navigating this new operation carefully
and with the assistance of the Finance staff. We will capture as
much information as possible for preparation in presenting the
FY’24 Budget request. We are currently 3 months in with new
registrations coming in the end of July and all programs offered
have been subsidized by those taking the class.
RecDesk has already become a tremendous asset. Our online
presence last year facilitated 6% ($11,289) of our registrations with
much more room for growth. Users have given glowing reviews on
the online calendar for field and facility events, having the ability
to see when rooms are available or what activities are happening at
our parks and athletic fields.
Social Media outreach has drastically improved. Content and
frequency have been prioritized to provide as much information as
possible in promoting our events and other offerings throughout
Waterford.
Special Events
BioBlitz – Over 53 unique species of plants and trees were identified
in the first BioBlitz held at Stenger Farm Park. We hope to continue
providing these educational opportunities at additional locations to
better understand the care and habitats of our native plantings.
PH Road Race – We celebrated the 40th annual race in 2021 w
60+ participants/runners

Harvest Festival- The Daily Planet was the guest band for the event
and we expanded offerings to include the Farmers Market, Food
Pantry, several Town department information booths, Girl Scouts
painting pumpkins, Bike Helmet Rodeo with Waterford PD, and the
Touch-A-Truck organized by Public Works Sandy Kenniston. We
were fortunate to have two food trucks available this year and
looking forward to next year’s ideas for improvement.
Concerts – A full series was allowed this year with weather and
public gathering restrictions eased. We welcomed the Waterford
Community Band as our annual opening act and held a variety of
music and entertainment for the remaining 8 shows. Sponsorships
and earlier preparation will provide a boost to next year’s slate of
performers.
QH and JPH Tree Lightings – Light Up The Night at Jordan Park
House was an amazing eye catcher. The luminary environment was
welcoming and special. Many happy residents with the middle
school chorus, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, lighting of the Town tree, and
volunteers and organizations throughout helping make a magical
night. All efforts will be made to recreate and add to this year’s
event while also bringing more activities to the Quaker Hill Tree
Lighting.
Farmers Market – The Waterford Farmer’s Market has found a new
home at the Community Center! Providing local, fresh products all
throughout the year.
Welcome To Waterford – renewed energy into a welcoming
program to new Waterford residents. Cole Baumgartner is an Eagle/
Life Scout that used this project as a platform to start discussions
and presentations for new and interested residents of Waterford.
The next event is scheduled in January 2023.
Water Safety Day Proclamation: A day of water safety and
educational games was provided by the Waterford aquatics staff.
This will be an annual event raising water safety awareness in a
coastal town.
Food Truck Festival – A full hands-on approach by the town in
trying to accommodate this request. A lot of people were in and out

of the park throughout the day to almost 6,000 visits in total. This
event was very taxing on town personnel and would be more
lucrative if organized in-house.
At Home Test kit handouts – participated in distribution sites at
Waterford Beach Park, Public Safety, etc.
Stuff The Bus – collecting for the Food Bank and spending time with
schools
Art in The Park – held at Jordan Park and organized by the
Historical Society. Providing assistance throughout the event.
Save The River Save The Hills Annual Regatta at Grimsey Beach on
Oswegatchie Road
Waterford Day Parade – organized through First Selectman.
Presence in parking areas and assistance with day of events.
Memorial and Veterans Day preparations for events at War Park,
etc.
Easter Egg Hunt at Waterford Beach Park
FY’ 24 will introduce:
Community Center Sock Hop
End of Summer Celebration at Waterford Beach Park
Plus many improvements and enhancements planned for existing
events!
Eighty-one percent of U.S. adults want parks and recreation to
ensure inclusivity through policies and practices.
Ninety percent of baby boomers want parks and recreation to
ensure inclusivity through policies and practices.
Seventy-three percent of baby boomers say that ensuring inclusivity

through policies and practices is extremely or very important.
How can we make Waterford more attractive?
Homeowners view parks as a desirable amenity. Because of this,
property values increase the closer homes are to a recreational
space. With increased property values comes the potential to bring
in more property taxes, giving your city funds to further enrich the
area.
A study in Washington State reported that homes within half a mile
from a natural area or park had values 8%-20% higher than those
not near green spaces. That benefit decreases to 0% when homes
are further than half a mile from the park, so proximity is key.
Prices people will pay for homes closer to parks also increase.
People are willing to spend 10% more for an inner-city home
located within a quarter-mile of a park. Greenbelts next to
residential communities increase the prices people will pay for
homes by 32%. Natural areas pay in real estate both for the
homeowners and the local government.
How will Recreation and Parks sustain the level of offerings and
special events while continuing to provide more? The Special
Revenue account will assist in allowing the department to create
programs provided the funding is met before launch. This new
financial mechanism supports programming that is needed and only
runs if the participant interest is captured. There are some programs
that still require the community to subsidize a portion. Aquatic
programs, such as swim lessons, require certain staffing levels per
participant as well as lifeguard and facility staffing. We do our best
to cover the costs through our pricing schedule without making the
such an important coastal community program unaffordable.
We have also prepared a sponsorship policy and proposal being
reviewed by Town council. Our hope is to be able to attract local
businesses to our special events to help offset the costs. The
Summer Concert Series, ESports, and other opportunities will be

explored.
The Recreation and Parks Commission also voted in favor to
increase the rental fees for our fields and facilities. We believe our
fields and facilities are the cream of the crop in our area and the
pricing and use should reflect that. Our pricing is now in-line with
our neighboring towns.
The Town is fortunate with the generous donations provided to
various departments from the Gardiner Family Foundation.
Recreation & Parks would not have the playground equipment and
spaces without the Gardiner family support over the years. The
funding has helped provide countless entertainment in our
playgrounds for kids in the region. We are grateful for their civic
recognition and improvements to our parks.
Where did we end up with our FY’21 “Looking Ahead”?
Investigating operational savings through Eversource and D/E/F
Electrical services in updating fixtures and light systems through
potential municipal grants. Currently, the Waterford Beach Garage
and Veterans softball field lighting are submitted and being
reviewed. Public Works Building Manager has taken over the grant
request.
Seeking to cut costs in maintenance Fleet Management by
converting to the Ventrac system from Toro. This change should
allow for several machines to operate off of base systems and share
accessories and attachments (mowing decks, tillers, blowers, stump
grinder, etc.) to improve routine efficiency and lower rental costs.
We are also expecting a drop in preventative maintenance and
repairs as Toro is a proprietary company that requires specific parts
and company licensed representatives/mechanics. The first Ventrac
is to be
delivered in mid-November. We have already realized cost savings
from the purchase in comparison to previous equipment AND will
have more use of the machine throughout the year.

Targeting revenue opportunities at the Community Center during
the week to outside businesses looking for space with the growing
remote work climate. This will be in balance with identifying drop
in use and program requirements. While we have not been able to
find available space for outside businesses to use, we were able to
adjust rental fees on the weekend to be more competitive and
generate additional revenue to the Town General Fund.
Beginning a composting operation in hopes of reducing loam orders
in the future as well as repurposing collected leaves and appropriate
debris. We have been turning the compost pile at WBP and are
starting to see some of the soil being created. We will continue this
practice while also using Rte 85 Transfer Station to help with the
bulk of the leaf removal.
Pursuing tennis/pickle ball and basketball court replacement with
post-tension concrete surfacing that provides a much safer
environment and warranty. The post tension concrete justification is
similar to that of artificial turf fields in life expectancy and wear
and tear. Capital Improvement plans have been submitted and court
resurfacing is being reviewed.
A focused effort on outdoor gatherings and community event
programming to bolster awareness of offerings and opportunities as
well as providing stronger sense of community. Additional adult
leagues, contests, and festivals will be attempted. The Community
Center has provided an outlet for introducing new events and
welcoming Waterford groups to participate and get involved with
the community. Our concert series and special events continue to
expand annually.
FY2022 FY2021                         
Revenues: $208,382 $89,104.87
Programs Offered: 91 100
Enrollments: 1,137 768

Male 364 (32%) 261 (34%)
Female 773 (68%) 507 (66%)
Resident Participants 1,012 (89%) 691 (90%)
Non-Resident Participants 125 (11%) 76 (10%)
Community Center Attendance: 14,500 493
Program Efficiency 91Offered 100 Offered
85 Administered 91 Administered
93% Run Rate 91% Success Rate
90-100% Recovery 90-95% Fee Based Recovery
Athletic field permits issued                  828 494                
Wood Orders(deliveries/residences) 36/24 87/66
Concerts (#of concerts held) 10,700 (9) 0
Facebook Engagements 40,087 last 30 days N/A
708 shared posts/”likes” N/A
Registrations: Check 50% N/A
Cash 44% N/A
Credit 6% N/A
A political candidate (e.g., mayor, county executive/president,
council member, congressperson) that makes park and recreation
funding a key priority is more likely to get the publics vote come
election time. More than three in five U.S. adults say they are likely
to vote for a political candidate who makes park and recreation
funding a priority. Parents and millennials show the strongest
support for these candidates.

62% of U.S. adults say they are likely to vote for a political
candidate that makes park and recreation funding a priority.
Compared to adults overall, millennials (69%) are more likely to
vote for a political candidate that makes park and recreation
funding a priority.
Parents (75%) are significantly more likely than non-parents (55%)
to vote for a political candidate that prioritizes park and recreation
funding.
Last Review:
The value and essential function of a Recreation and Parks
department is to create and maintain spaces and activities that grow
a greater sense of community and enhance the quality of life for its
residents. These essential services – along with the high rate of
return through fees – also represent a sound investment by the
town. Physical inactivity is a serious, nationwide problem. Its scope
poses a public health challenge for reducing the national burden of
unnecessary illness and premature death. In order to fill this
requirement, Waterford Recreation and Parks strives to ensure
every Town park has equitable access and various points of interest
for the public to enjoy. Accessible pathways, fishing piers, mobile
beach chairs, trail footbridges, and more are essential to providing
these services.
Our success in delivering essential programming and available park
access provides a higher standard than our peers. The National
Recreation & Parks Association has completed an “Agency
Performance Review” that is providing benchmarks to agencies
throughout the country according to their population and offerings.
We are currently inputting Waterford’s data to create a standard
that outshines our peers. We hope to have results and comparisons
available during the budgetary process.
We have valuable resources in Waterford for improvements and
developments. Our goal is to take every advantage of and protect
our beautiful surroundings while engaging the public in wellness

activities.
All in all, we have a wide range of active and passive recreational
opportunities in front of us with a very strong foundation to
continue building. Financial support to improve parks and offerings
is a key factor in achieving success and we hope to continue health
and wellness being a priority in funding consideration for
Waterford.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ken Hall, Chair of Recreation and Parks Commission