Roberts Field Public Input Session AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ROBERTS FIELD IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE UPDATED 6/20/17

Transcription

1 Roberts Field Public Input Session AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ROBERTS FIELD IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE UPDATED 6/20/17

2 Committee Members 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 Laura Merrill Board of Selectmen Committee Consultants Katie Enright Howard Stein Hudson Alison LeFlore Howard Stein Hudson Kasey Ferreira Howard Stein Hudson Jim Connolly Weston Nurseries Terrance Duffy Weston Nurseries James Martin, MS Consulting Arborist

3 Community Driven Activity The Town of Chelmsford created the Roberts Field Improvement Committee in 2015 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 it natural resources, in turn enriching the quality of life for Chelmsford residents and visitors alike, for present and future generations. 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 (2019 mailed pieces, Social Media Postings, s, Printed Flyers & CTM) (4) Fundraising Events ($12, Raised as of 5/2/17) Produced Recommended Master Plan of Park Improvements and Site Plan Updated website with meeting videos and documents 3

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

5 Key Project Goals Engage Town residents, Park users and stakeholders through a Community Driven Master Plan Design Process. Replace the playground which is at the end of its usable life and bring it to current safety, ADA and offering standards. Enhance the athletic fields and facilities to make them commensurate with current and anticipated use. Deliver new features and improvements that will enhance the Park and serve a variety of community groups, while maintaining the Park s neighborhood familyfriendly appeal and address abutter concerns. Leverage and protect the natural beauty of the park to promote users enjoyment and education regarding nature and wildlife. Address the Park s short and long term maintenance needs. Improve the overall asset value of Roberts Field Park to the Town of Chelmsford.

6 Current Feature & Improvement Recommendations Larger Natural Playground Athletic Fields Pond Side Multi-Use Picnic Pavilion Multi-Use Bandstand/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

7 7 Master Plan Site Plan Drawing Draft 6/20/17

8 Proposed Project Budget 8 Consistent with comparable Chelmsford park project costs (See Appendix H) Budget Est. Annual Master Plan Improvements Low High Maintenance Atlhletic Fields $ 99,050 $ 130,550 13% $ 3,500 Natural Playground $ 380,750 $ 442,050 43% $ 2,800 Pond Side Multi-Use Pavilion $ 17,650 $ 29,320 3% $ - Community Band Bandstand/Picnic Pavilion $ 63,940 $ 84,180 8% $ - Exercise Circuit/Walking Track (.35 mi) $ 54,285 $ 56,885 6% $ 400 Portable Bathroom Facility $ 4,350 $ 5,350 1% $ 1,860 Hardscape Play Area $ 17,925 $ 20,525 2% $ - Upper & Lower Parking Lots $ 14,754 $ 20,990 2% $ - Engine #3 Driveway Area $ 2,500 $ 2,500 0% $ - DPW Parks Garage $ 19,950 $ 27,600 3% $ - Park Welcome Area $ 11,025 $ 12,525 1% $ - Natural Areas of the Park $ 122,480 $ 156,100 15% $ 1,200 Safety Improvements $ 24,800 $ 31,200 3% $ - $ 833,459 $ 1,019, % $ 9,760 22% +22% Low to high budget estimate difference

9 Playground The Committee has defined the maximum playground footprint, 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 Committee's proposed Key improvements are: Larger playground footprint with a mix of landform and manufactured natural play structures Similar play inventory to Friendship Park same types of play functionality in larger open space. Open views, ADA complaint, universal design Separated toddler area Segregated natural grassy area that can be closed off for mowing 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 and camera, garbage and bike rack Visual and sound mitigation design for park abutters

10 Project Impact on Abutters Park Usage Information Athletic Fields, Park Parking Lot, Park Sound Level (db) Measurements, Bandstand Usage, CPD and CFD Safety Responses Improvements will increase Park usage Chelmsford Community Band Summer Series and improved playground No demand for neighborhood parking More onsite parking spaces No Effect on Drainage Town DPW Engineering to provide Point of View Added Landscaping and Plan Design To Minimize Noise Recommended sound/visual mitigation tactics Site Plan feature placement and design Playground design will address with play structure, landform and path locations Playground abutters: added Berms with deer resistant, fast growing trees (i.e. Thula Green Giant Arborvitae)

11 Maintenance Roberts Field Advisory Board to complete detailed Park Maintenance Plan. (see Master Plan slide 12) Town DPW will enact Stakeholder Maintenance Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) to clearly define Park maintenance responsibilities and schedule expectations with the following Stakeholders: Chelmsford Youth Baseball Chelmsford Youth Lacrosse Chelmsford Community Band Friends of Roberts Field New Garden Stakeholders Park Stakeholders will have some annual Park maintenance responsibilities outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding. Town Facilities maintenance responsibilities will continue to include mowing, trash removal and structure and playground maintenance and repairs. Park facility usage schedule to be maintained by Town Facilities, including athletic fields, bandstand and pavilions.

12 Proposed Project Timetable 12 The $1M total for recommended improvements may need to be funded over multiple fiscal years. Recommend partial Project funding sought at Fall 2017 Town Meeting Town to determine funding priorities and implementation schedule Replacing the Playground is a priority Fall 2017: Town to seek playground design and equipment bids Late fall/early winter 2017: Remove playground equipment, prep playground footprint, build playground landforms, and other prioritized projects Spring/summer 2018: Install playground and implement other prioritized projects Remaining Master Plan Project Schedule to be determined by Town Plan designed to have long shelf life and to be Volunteer friendly

13 Recommended Next Steps 13 Secure Master Plan approval from Board of Selectmen Dissolve Roberts Field Improvement Committee Recommend forming Roberts Field Advisory Board Citizen Overview of Master Plan implementation and bid process 3-5 Members reporting to the Board of Selectmen Continuity with Roberts Field Improvement Committee Explore Cost Sharing Opportunities Seek corporate/organizational sponsorships, grants and donations Volunteer project coordination Meet as needed Board of Selectmen Conservation Commission liaison assignments Seek partial project funding at Fall 2017 Town Meeting Prep Playground site area late Fall/early Winter 2017 Begin construction Spring 2018

14 Public Input Thank you for attending and participating tonight! Rules: Please wait to speak when you are recognized Please speak into the microphone Please state your name and address for the public record Please do not speak over others Your thoughts are important! Please complete the brief questionnaire and sign up for our distribution list Please visit for more information