Wilton’s Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) has resurrected the concepts for two new town amenities that many residents have been clamoring for: a dog park and new pickleball courts.
The ideas were discussed at the Wednesday, Dec. 10 commission meeting.
Dog Park
Though Wilton has no shortage of dog lovers, it is one of very few towns in the area without a single dog park.
A number of efforts to identify a potential site have been pursued over the years — by resident groups as well as the Town — but nothing has ever come to fruition.
- In 2016, hundreds of residents unsuccessfully petitioned the Town “to do whatever is necessary to make the Wilton Dog Park a reality.”
- In early 2020, the Schenck’s Island/Merwin Meadows Committee, which was tasked with developing a plan for improvements in both areas, considered a dog park, but ultimately did not recommend one in either location.
- Later in 2020, another resident-led initiative picked up the torch, but again, the effort stalled.
Now, members of the Parks and Rec Commission have decided they should be taking the lead in order to finally make a dog park a reality. At their Oct. 8 meeting, they focused on Schenck’s Island as the most desirable location.
At the Dec. 10 meeting, they picked up the discussion.
Parks and Recreation Department Director Steve Pierce told the commission he thought a dog park could be constructed for $40,000 to $50,000.
Though commissioners indicated they are also open to other locations, they plan to visit Schenck’s Island as a next step to inspect potential sites there more closely. (PRC Chair Alix Korpan told GOOD Morning Wilton on Dec. 11 a specific date for the site visit has not yet been scheduled.)
Since Schenck’s Island is prone to flooding, Pierce said he would seek guidance from Wilton’s Inland Wetlands Commission as another next step.
Pickleball Courts
Pickleball courts at Merwin Meadows were also explored by the Schenck’s Island/Merwin Meadows Committee in early 2020.
Four new pickleball courts were seriously considered as recently as 2024. Preliminary plans sited the courts at Merwin Meadows, between the soccer field and the Norwalk River Valley Trail, not far from Wilton Center and the pedestrian bridge at the train station.
However, those plans — which came with a cost of roughly $300,000 — were shelved by the Board of Selectmen amid 2025 budget pressure and numerous, more urgent capital spending priorities.
Wilton residents can currently play pickleball indoors at Comstock Community Center or outdoors at Middlebrook School. Pierce says demand for the courts far exceeds availability, and at least four new courts are warranted for the growing sport.
To illustrate the point on Wednesday night, Pierce told commissioners that just in the previous two days, the department had received 40 requests for reservations, and the Comstock court was already booked through March.
Pierce reported that the updated price quotes he recently obtained were actually slightly lower than previous estimates. (He said three courts were priced at $197,300 plus the cost of electrical work. Pierce is seeking an updated quote for four courts.)
The commission is now considering locating the courts adjacent to the tennis courts at Wilton High School. The area is currently a gravel surface used for parking and special events, such as carnivals and Minks to Sinks.
For next steps, Pierce will discuss possible funding sources, including the possibility of bonding the cost of the project, with First Selectman Toni Boucher.