Kids take action to fix park

NORWALK — What began as a handwritten letter from a concerned student turned into a small but powerful movement to improve Stoutenburg Park. Wyatt Stein, a 9-year-old third grader at Norwalk Catholic Schools, and his classmates: Clayton Lindsey, Benjamin Norcross, Emerson Brown and Johanna Echardt, noticed broken equipment and safety issues at the park. Instead of ignoring it, they did something few kids their age ever attempt: they wrote directly to Mayor Dave Light. Wyatt's letter was detailed, specific, and heartfelt. Here it is in full, exactly as he wrote it: DEAR MAYOR LIGHT, stoetenburg is in very rough shape. I think it is dangerous. The bridges handles are far away from the actual bridge, and some of the bolts are loose. The stairs are very steep, you can fall and get hurt, and the tube slide is really tight inside and it hurts wen you go down it. The tall blue spiral thing has a big gap between it and the platform. I think that fixing the playgound will allow more to play on it. It will make it saffer for the community. I know that plaing outside is good for your body and brain. I can raise money for the plaiground. This will give our community a saffe place to play. Thak you for reading my note. sincerely wyatt Wyatt didn't stop at the letter. He set up a small honey sale using jars from his family's farm and earned $40. His parents matched it, bringing the total to $80. On Thursday, Mayor Light invited the children to City Hall to thank them personally. He accepted the donation on behalf of the city and awarded each child a City of Norwalk medal. "You children are the future of Norwalk, and we are proud of that," Light said. He also explained that the money will be set aside specifically for improvements at Stoutenburg Park. "The fiscal officer will put this in a special bank account and when it is time to upgrade the park, that is what we will use," Light said. After the ceremony, something unexpected happened — an anonymous donor stepped forward and doubled Wyatt's donation, bringing the total dedicated to park repairs to $160. Wyatt said he simply wants kids to be safe and have a better place to play. His effort has already inspired talk of more donations, more community involvement, and a renewed focus on the condition of the city's parks. Donations to support Stoutenburg Park improvements can be made at City Hall.