Recent improvements include installation of ADA-compliant sensory play equipment 

By Nick Schofield

At a Feb. 26 meeting of the Milford Select Board, Parks and Recreation Administrator James Asam shared highlights of progress his department made in 2025, as well as early thoughts on goals for 2026.

Asam shared usage data for both the town pools and the Lake Louisa Disc Golf Course. Attendance numbers for the pools was over 10,000 for the season, over half of which were children. 

“We expect those numbers to keep going up,” said Asam. “We’re averaging a good 700 to 900 people a week, depending on the weather.”

Noting that the disc golf app the Parks Department uses only accounts for 30-40% of users, he shared that 5,500 rounds were played at the disc golf course in 2025. Asam hinted he was working on early plans to expand the course by an additional nine holes.

Another highlight for the Parks Department was the opening of the recreational side of Town Park in June. “So far, everything’s been great up there,” Asam reported. He told the board that cameras have been installed to reduce vandalism issues, and more for monitoring the bathrooms to be installed at a later date.

Asam also highlighted a collaboration between his department and the Commission on Disability to include inclusive play structures at Town Park. The Commission and his department split the $20,000 cost to put ADA-compliant sensory play equipment, including harmony flowers, harmony bells, flower petal drums, rainbow chimes, and rainbow bongos. 

“I think they’re going to get a lot of use,” Asam said, explaining the play features were recently installed.

Select Board member Michael Walsh praised Asam for his cooperation with the Commission on Disability, noting town officials had heard concerns over a wheelchair-accessible swing and initiated the process to meet that request. “’No’ is not in your vocabulary,” said Walsh.

Mazzuchelli concurred and added, “The more you can do to make it more welcoming to everybody is a big plus for the town.”

Looking ahead, Asam said the Parks Department will continue collaborating with cricket teams using the Fino Field Annex in the coming year. It also will host the No Fame Games once again and has plans for improvements to Fino Field.

Asam also teased the development of a civic recreation website, which he anticipated will be up in May. It will have reservation information for Parks Department properties and calendars for residents to access.