Roberts Field Master Plan

Transcription

1 To be presented to the Chelmsford Board of Selectmen on Monday, July 31, 2017 Roberts Field Master Plan AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ROBERTS FIELD IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE UPDATED 7/24/17

2 Committee Members and Participants William Arrington Bill Askenburg - Chair Chris Crafts Kate Gleisberg Alice Johannen - Secretary Margaret Marynowski Adelle Stavis - Vice Chair *Previous committee members highlighted in Master Plan Town Liaisons Steve Jahnle Assistant Director of Public Works Evan Belansky Community Development Director Nick Parlee Town Playground Coordinator Katie Messer Town Conservation Agent April Mendez Conservation Commission Laura Merrill Board of Selectmen Committee Consultants Katie Enright Howard Stein Hudson Kasey Ferreira Howard Stein Hudson Alison LeFlore Harriman Architects and Engineers Jim Connolly Weston Nurseries Terrance Duffy Weston Nurseries James Martin, MS Consulting Arborist

3 Today s Need For Park Improvements The Playground is increasingly becoming unsafe Built in 1990s with a 20 year expected life Town DPW determined it was at end of usable life Athletic fields are commonly unusable Built in 1970s, unlevel playing fields, poor drainage and exposed backstop and dugout fencing footers Natural Areas overrun with invasive plants Bittersweet choking out tree canopies Sediment and grasses filling in Pond Highly valued and used Chelmsford Park 4 th highest noted Park on 2017 OSRP Survey Friendship Park is actively used playground Athletic Fields actively used by CYBA and CYLA

4 Community Driven Planning Process Created in 2015, the Roberts Field Improvement Committee was charged with the creation of a Community-Driven Master Plan of improvements for the Park. The mission of the Roberts Field Improvement Committee is to improve, enhance, and beautify Roberts Field and its natural resources, in turn enriching the quality of life for Chelmsford residents and visitors alike, for present and future generations. Roberts Field Improvement Committee Activities (18) Committee Meetings (meeting videos televised & posted online) (2) Public Site Walks & (2) Public Input Sessions (1) Park User Survey & (28+) Stakeholder Surveys (3) Abutter Mailings and More (2019 mailed pieces, social media postings, s, and printed flyers and posters) (4) Committee Fundraising Events ($12, Raised as of 5/2/17) Updated website with meeting videos and documents Produced Recommended Master Plan of Park Improvements and Master Site Plan 4

5 Key Project Goals Community driven process Replace the playground ASAP Improve athletic fields Serve a variety of community groups Maintain neighborhood family-friendly appeal Address abutter concerns Protect and enhance nature and wildlife Address long-term maintenance needs

6 Master Plan Improvement Recommendations* Larger Natural Playground Athletic Fields Pond Side Multi-Use Picnic Pavilion Walking Trail & Exercise Circuit Portable Bathroom Enclosure Hardscape Play Area Upper & Lower Parking Lots Engine #3 Driveway Area DPW Parks Garage Park Welcome Area Natural Park Area Improvements Safety Improvements *Improvement Recommendation detail is available in the Master Plan document (pages 16-27)

7 Key Project Highlights Estimated Budget: $700k-$850k $47k-$66k additional improvements funded through existing Town budgets Recommended fast track project timetable starting Fall 2017 Major Recommended Park Master Plan Improvements New larger, ADA compliant, Universally Designed and Nature Themed Playground New Lacrosse and Baseball fields intended for youth league play (under 12 years of age).35 mile interior ADA compliant, permeable material Walking Trail with Exercise Circuit Bathroom shade structure (includes year round placement of two Porta Potties, ) Pond side Multi-Use Pavilion (20 x28, 110v outlets, timed interior lighting) Pond dredging to benefit Park s natural habitat and winter skating Natural Area Improvements new gardens, irrigation system, invasive plant removal and Protected Tree Inventory New security cameras and underground utilities

8 8 Master Plan Site Plan Drawing Revision 1 Updated 7/24/17

9 Proposed Project Budget 9 Master Plan Budget Town Budget Total Budget Est. Annual Master Plan Improvements Low High Low High Low High Maintenance Athletic Fields $ 103,500 $ 136,000 $ 1,050 $ 1,050 $ 104,550 $ 137,050 15% $ 3,500 Natural Playground $ 392,800 $ 455,350 $ 700 $ 700 $ 393,500 $ 456,050 50% $ 2,800 Pond Side Multi-Use Pavilion $ 16,300 $ 27,970 $ 350 $ 350 $ 16,650 $ 28,320 3% Exercise Circuit/Walking Track $ 33,135 $ 36,969 $ - $ - $ 33,135 $ 36,969 4% Portable Bathroom Facility $ 4,000 $ 5,000 $ 350 $ 350 $ 4,350 $ 5,350 1% $ 1,860 Hardscape Play Area $ 17,575 $ 20,175 $ 350 $ 350 $ 17,925 $ 20,525 2% Upper & Lower Parking Lots $ 14,754 $ 15,490 $ 1,000 $ 6,500 $ 15,754 $ 21,990 2% Engine #3 Driveway Area $ - $ - $ 2,500 $ 2,500 $ 2,500 $ 2,500 0% DPW Parks Garage $ - $ - $ 14,950 $ 22,100 $ 14,950 $ 22,100 2% Park Welcome Area $ 11,025 $ 12,525 $ - $ - $ 11,025 $ 12,525 1% Natural Areas of the Park $ 108,530 $ 140,900 $ 1,200 $ 1,200 $ 109,730 $ 142,100 16% $ 1,200 Safety Improvements $ - $ - $ 24,800 $ 31,200 $ 24,800 $ 31,200 3% Consistent with comparable Chelmsford park project costs (See Master Plan Appendix H) Town Budget = funded through existing Town budget +22% Low to high budget estimate difference $ 701,619 $ 850,379 $ 47,250 $ 66,300 $ 748,869 $ 916, % $ 9,360 22%

10 New Larger, Natural Playground The Committee has defined the maximum playground footprint, play features, accessibility and budget expectations. The final playground design including play structure selection and layout will be completed as part of the Town's project bid process. The recommended Key improvements are: Larger playground footprint with a mix of landform and manufactured natural play structures ADA compliant and Universal Design Similar play inventory to Friendship Park with play functionality in larger open spaces (chase, tag, rolling) Open views Separated toddler area Segregated natural grassy area that can be closed off for mowing and maintenance Budgeted: two shade structures with two picnic tables each, or six covered benches Perimeter fencing with front and rear openings Community Build Play Structure Installation to maximize play structure budget Reuse engraved bricks and playground entry structure Includes security lighting, utilities and camera, garbage and bike rack Visual and sound mitigation design and landscaping for park abutters

11 Project Impact on Abutters Park usage information collected Surveyed: Athletic Fields, Parking Lot, Park Sound Level (db) Measurements, CPD and CFD Safety Responses Improvements will increase Park usage Improved playground and interior Walking Trail No demand for neighborhood parking 15 more onsite parking spaces (plus 4 land banked spots for possible future expansion) No Effect on Drainage Town DPW Engineering stated no drainage change outside of Park Specialized Landscaping and Plan Design To Minimize Noise Recommended sound/visual mitigation tactics Master Site Plan feature placement and design Playground design will address with play structure, landform and path locations Playground abutters: added Berm with deer resistant, fast growing trees (i.e. Thula Green Giant Arborvitae)

12 Addressing Park Maintenance Recommend Roberts Field Advisory Board (new) complete a detailed Park Maintenance Plan Including Park Rules, maintenance responsibilities and schedules, Protected Tree Inventory conservancy, and identify pesticide, herbicide, fertilization and other land management practices for the Park Recommend Town DPW enact Stakeholder Maintenance Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) to clearly define Park maintenance responsibilities and schedule expectations with the following Stakeholders: Chelmsford Youth Lacrosse Chelmsford Youth Baseball Friends of Roberts Field New Garden Stakeholders Park Stakeholders will have some annual Park maintenance responsibilities as outlined in the MOU Town Facilities maintenance responsibilities will continue to include mowing, trash removal and structure and playground maintenance and repairs Town DPW Engineering has committed to improved field maintenance including weekly Spring and Fall field mowing schedule Park facility usage schedule to be maintained by Town Facilities, including athletic fields, and pavilion Recommend Town Facilities create and adopt Policies and Procedures for Park facility and field use

13 Proposed Project Timetable 13 The $700k-$850k recommended improvements may need to be funded over multiple fiscal years, and the Town will determine funding priorities and implementation schedule Recommend replacing the Playground is a priority Recommend Pond dredging within five years as Pond conditions warrant (dry pond bed) Master Plan designed to have long shelf life and to be Volunteer Project Friendly Potential Project Timeline (Playground Funding) Fall 2017: Town to seek funding at Fall 2017 Town Meeting, Develop RFP for playground design and equipment bids. Including Public Input for RFP creation and Bid selection Late Fall/early Winter 2017: Remove playground equipment, prep playground footprint, build playground landforms, and begin implementation of other prioritized projects Spring/summer 2018: Install playground and implement other prioritized projects with Public Input and Participation Remaining Master Plan Project Schedule to be determined by Town with cooperation of Park Advisory Board

14 Recommended Next Steps 14 Secure Master Plan approval from the Board of Selectmen Recommend forming Roberts Field Advisory Board with detailed Committee roles and responsibilities Dissolve Roberts Field Improvement Committee - terms expire 7/31/17 Park Advisory Board: 3-5 Members reporting to the Town Manager Extend Board of Selectmen and Conservation Commission liaison assignments Continue Community Driven Process and provide Committee continuity Opportunity for Citizen input, participation and accountability for Master Plan implementation, and RFP and bid selection processes (Playground) Explore and develop Cost Sharing Opportunities in cooperation with Town DPW Corporate/organizational sponsorships, grants and donations Volunteer project coordination Develop Detailed Park Maintenance Plan Review proposed Master Plan Changes and provide recommendations to the Town Manager Meet as needed (monthly to start) Seek partial project funding at Fall 2017 Town Meeting, Prep Playground site area late Fall/early Winter 2017, and begin Playground installation Spring 2018

15 Thank you We greatly appreciate the terrific Community support in creating Master Plan Special thanks to the Chelmsford Community Band and the Merrimack Valley Cricket Club, and we encourage the Town to address their identified needs Please visit for more information