2015 Parks Report
Upon initial assessment of the Village parks it was evident that the inventory of the Village s park land, athletic fields, recreational facilities, playgrounds, trails, etc., was substantial, diverse and accessible to the community. The majority of the facilities in each park, i.e. playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts, skate park, athletic fields were in good to fair condition. By utilizing recreation facility evaluation methods, all Village parks were reviewed on the safety, condition and maintenance of the existing facilities in each park.
Entering into the Spring season and throughout the summer, a number of issues existing in Village parks deemed necessary to act on were addressed, i.e. tree removal and tree trimming, lighting and electrical repair, repair of fencing, repair of irrigation system, repair of water fountains, and repair and increased maintenance of restroom facilities. Important note: with the addition/return of Veterans Park to Village oversight and management, the Parks staff had a significant increase in workload. Also, the condition of Veterans Park and its facilities were evaluated in a number of instances to be quite poor.
Recreation Facility Evaluation - Conclusions Nelson Park: General condition rating - Good to Fair Variety of facilities on site - Playground, tennis courts, basketball courts all in good condition Lighting on tennis courts operates well, some electrical repair was needed for lights on basketball courts Athletic field in fair condition grading and leveling necessary to repair areas that have settled/sunk Tennis court fencing in fair to poor condition, as it has exceeded life expectancy, some sections in place over 35 years
Recreation Facility Evaluation - Conclusions Nelson Sitting Park: General condition rating - Good Allows for more passive recreational use Playground in good condition Open space well maintained Some misuse of park grounds as an athletic field has been addressed and will continue to be monitored Tree work continues, with removal of dead/sick trees and planting of new trees Potential site for introduction of edible forest or other creative gardening opportunities
Recreation Facility Evaluation - Conclusions Snowden Park: General condition rating - Fair Playground in good condition Basketball court surface is fair to poor existing cracks will eventually cause more significant damage to playing surface Basketball court lights not functioning Fencing is old and deteriorating Aesthetic improvements and basic repair to facilities, i.e. restrooms, have been addressed and will continue
Recreation Facility Evaluation - Conclusions Richard G. Wishnie Park: General condition rating - Good Walking/running path, park benches, fishing/viewing deck, aerator/fountain Path has some low spots, cracking and heaving but is in good condition Park and path maintenance ongoing, highly utilized for exercise Fencing issues around parking area and entrance
Recreation Facility Evaluation - Conclusions Sparta Park: General condition rating Good Sitting park with playground, park benches and gazebo all well maintained Dale Avenue Park: General condition rating Good Playground and swing set well maintained Split rail fence, retaining walls and walkway receive regular maintenance and repair as needed
Recreation Facility Evaluation - Conclusions Arthur J. Jones Memorial Park: General condition rating Good Playground with swing set in good condition Half-court basketball court Basketball goal pole and rim repaired this summer, in good condition Split rail fence - some repair/replacement required Rose bushes some in need of removal/replacement
Recreation Facility Evaluation - Conclusions William Street Tot Lot: General condition rating Fair Playground - good condition Small grass area is mostly bare due to heavy use and compaction Malcolm Street Tot Lot: General condition rating Good Playground good condition
Recreation Facility Evaluation - Conclusions Veterans Memorial Park: General condition rating Fair, with certain facilities rating Poor Park facilities in Good condition: Walking paths Playground and adjacent open space/field Bocci courts Park Facilities in Fair condition: All athletic fields Upper Vets, Middle Vets & Lower Vets Compaction of soil is biggest issue on fields as it impacts health of the grass and creates a potential safety concern
Recreation Facility Evaluation - Conclusions Veterans Memorial Park: Park Facilities in Poor condition Basketball Court Roller Hockey Rink Stone shelter with fireplace Pavilion/restrooms Miscellaneous lighting, signage, fencing Work done this year to address immediate concerns: Tree removal Repair of irrigation system Additional clay for ball fields Electrical repair, plumbing repair, painting and replacement of fixtures in restrooms
Park Improvement Recommendations System wide recommendations: Uniform site amenities program, i.e. benches, trash receptacles, bicycle racks, picnic tables, etc. Uniform signage program Introduce improvements to our athletic field maintenance program to include aeration of fields on a seasonal basis as recommended Consider an overall tree master plan which anticipates tree replacement and creates opportunities for tree donation
Park Improvement Recommendations Nelson Park: Correct athletic field issues by re-grading problem areas Fence repair/replacement at tennis courts Repair of basketball court lighting Roof at storage shed
Park Improvement Recommendations Snowden Park: Replace/repair fencing Crack repair and resurfacing of basketball court
Park Improvement Recommendations William Street Tot Lot: Reseeding of grass area Repair gate Richard G. Wishnie Park: Fill and patch pathway where needed Remove unnecessary fencing where appropriate Remove fencing and install guard rail along parking lot
Park Improvement Recommendations Veterans Park: Continue tree removal where necessary Repair stone shelter with fireplace Repair water fountain on Lower Vets Repair pavilion, specifically roof and lighting Continue restroom repairs and improvements
Park Improvement Recommendations Veterans Park (cont.): Two Capital Project recommendations to be funded by In Lieu of Parkland Fund. Complete renovation of basketball court at Veterans Park Resurfacing of roller hockey rink at Veterans Park Both projects have the support of the Recreation Advisory Board
Veterans Park Basketball Court
Veterans Park Roller Hockey Rink
2015 Parks Report