Hailey Fuchs File Photo
Criscuolo Park monument to Civil War’s 29th Connecticut Colored Regiment.
Get those dogs back on their leashes. Kindly ask the old gents to remove their dominoes tables from the walking paths. And be forewarned: there’ll be no more cars parking partially on the sidewalk blocking passage.
Those rules are expected to be enforced this spring and summer at Criscuolo Park.
With violent crime trending down, officers are going to be more available to make one of Fair Haven’s most beautifully situated but underutilized parks more family friendly.
That news emerged in the report of Fair Haven District Manager Sgt. Michael Fumiatti to the regular meeting of the Fair Haven Community Management Team Thursday night.
The Zoom-assisted gathering, which drew about 40 neighbors and presenters, was helmed by the CMT Co-Chair Lee Cruz.
The park, with its panoramic view of the harbor, has received a cool new playground on the southwest side facing out to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge. It hosts monuments to the Civil War 29th Colored Regiment and trees planted by the city’s Peace commission
“We’re trying to make Criscuolo Park more pleasing for kids to ride bikes, more enjoyable family friendly environment for people to hang out and enjoy the park,” Fumiatti said in his summary of the month’s police activities and future areas of focus.
Fair Havener Mark Oliver asked Fumiatti about whether dogs are allowed off-leash in the park. Fumiatti cited a city ordinance stating they are not (except in specifically designated dog-park areas). He also gave an overview of issues the police plan to address in the park.
“We have noticed people hanging out,” he said, “generally older men playing dominoes, so they will set up a table. That’s easy enough for me to have a conversation with them about the tables,” which are not allowed in the pathways where people like Oliver like to walk.
“Nor can they block the sidewalk with vehicles. We will set up the right way so people can use the park.”
Two other neighbors expressed agreement with Fumiatti’s approach and his openness to addressing other concerns.
“Myself and my daughter, we’d like to be able to go to the park but haven’t been able to. People are there with the cars and not wearing masks. It gets a little crazy. And I’m trying to think of ideas to help the situation,” said one neighbor.
She was careful to point out she didn’t want the police to evict the domino guys, but just find a way for them to share the space more equitably.
“Unfortunately it’s been that way for years,” Fumiatti replied, referring to the park’s spaces being dominated by less-than-family-friendly activities. “Criscuolo can get filled up now with 15 or 20 people, but can get to be a raucous situation. I am open to any ideas.”
As the discussion concluded, Cruz reminded participants to utilize the police department’s non-emergency number (203 946‑6316) to report on quality of life concerns in the park.
“It’s a way for the city to document issues, ” he said. “It lets the police know where they might redistribute resources.”