Ridgefield Parks and Recreation Department director Paul Roche is retiring at the end of the month.  He's been in the position since 1977.  He helped grow the department from a handful of programs to 120.   There are also 21 fields around Ridgefield he oversees. 

Roche helped implement a “pay as you go” financing model with membership and program fees covering most of the park and rec department's budget. 

Brookfield parks and recreation director Dennis DiPinto has been appointed by the Ridgefield Parks and Recreation Commission to lead the agency.  He became Brookfield's parks and recreation director in 1996.  His last day was Friday.  

DiPinto oversaw the recent renovations at Cadigan Park and the town beach, as well as the opening of the Still River Greenway.  It's a popular two-mile paved trail, which runs from the Brookfield Town Center south to Route 133.