Mixville Parking Fees Approved By Council

June 26, 2009 by Josh Morgan

Starting a week from today, if you want to park at Mixville Recreation Area, it is going to cost you.
The Town Council approved the implementation of parking fees for Mixville park for both residents and non-residents on June 24, and the measure will officially take effect on July 3. Under the plan, Cheshire residents will pay $5 for a daily pass and $40 for a seasonal pass, while non-residents will pay $10 for daily passes and $120 for seasonal access. Walkers and bike riders will not be charged, but parking on the streets surrounding the park will not be allowed. Gate guards will be stationed at Mixville park to check cars for the permits, which need to be purchased at the Cheshire Parks and Recreation office during normal business hours or at the Cheshire Community Pool on weekends.
Parks and Recreation Director Robert Ceccolini hoped that by implementing a parking fee, the overcrowding problems would be eliminated and, in turn, the park would be better taken care of.
“There is some vandalism there, drawings on picnic tables and trash, just like every park in town,” Ceccolini said. “But the most of it is at Mixville. I hope that gets curtailed.”
Those with passes to the Cheshire Community Pool will not be charged access to Mixville park. Ceccolini explained that if someone purchases a daily pass and later decides to buy the seasonal permit, the daily cost would be deducted from the seasonal pass.
Councilor Tim White said he hoped people would feel safer in the park, knowing that the gates are locked and by having park rangers and gate guards on duty until dusk. Secondly, he said that he wants the park to be respected and believed that, by having users pay to gain access, they will “be more respectful.”
For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation office at (203) 272-2743. Read the complete story on the new parking fees at Mixville park in the July 2 issue of The Cheshire Herald.