On Dec 20 the Board of Selectmen voted to approve fees for Parks & Rec programs for 2023.
Each year, the Parks & Recreation Dept proposes fee changes based on minimum wage increases, BET budget guidelines, market value comparisons with other communities and privately run programs, as well as operational demands and inflationary demands.
Parks & Rec Director Joe Siciliano said golf, beach and boating programs were all quite popular in Greenwich, and in cases of hardship the department offers some full or partial scholarships.
“Our goal is not to keep people out of our programs,” Siciliano said.
For many years Siciliano wanted to consolidate multiple programs onto a single park pass with a single transaction. That will begin in January with the major parks programs.
“And we’ll have the ability to offer the beach, golf, paddle tennis, tennis, etc, all on a single card for renewal,” he said. “It will all be on one card that will have a bar code…”
Back on Dec 8, at the first read of proposed fee increases, there was some push back after Mr. Siciliano, along with assistant director Dan Carlsen, proposed annual park passes for children 5-15 increase from $10 to $15.
In 2021 the fee had increased from $7 to $10.
“I think some of these increases a little much,” said Selectwoman Lauren Rabin on Dec 8. “One specifically is the child beach card. If you have multiple children – that’s a 50% increase.”
At the second read, on Dec 20, a compromise was reached.
Instead of increasing from $10 to $15, the child beach pass will increase to $12.
The cost of a single-entry park pass for resident non-cardholders, age 5-65, will increase from $9 to $10.00 (Required proof of residency must be submitted and approved to the Parks & Rec Dept).
The cost of an adult 16-64 annual park pass will rise from $35 to $40 (early bird before April 15) and from $40 to $45 on or after April 15.
Proposed fee increases were posted on the town website on Nov 29 to give the community an opportunity to provide feedback.
On Tuesday, Mr. Carlson said the fees had been viewed 246 times since Nov 29, but only two people submitted comments.
A child accompaniment fee will increase from $40 to $50.
The cost for a non-Greenwich registered vehicle will increase from $175 to $200.
Seniors Age 65+
Beach passes for senior residents are free.
Mr. Carlsen clarified that ferry rides are covered under a senior beach pass, and are free as well. People are considered seniors at the age of 54.
Click here for beach policy and full list of 2023 parks fees.
