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Date: 3/27/2015
CHICOPEE – What do you like about the open spaces of Chicopee and its outdoor recreational offerings? What would you like to see?
The city of Chicopee has begun a survey of residents asking them those questions and more. The answers will be used to update its Open Space and recreation Plan, a necessary document for securing grant funding.
The effort kicked off at the neighborhood meeting for the downtown area on March 19.
Acting Planning Director Lee Pouliot explained to the audience the plan they help develop will be in effect for the next seven years and would guide the city in the park and recreational needs for the next five years.
Residents can take the survey on-line at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cxL6h_nddTA1TFLR48dcZEdLJwW4RTucwqHScgKCOxw/viewform?c=0&w=1 or by paper copies available at City Hall, RiverMills Center, the Parks and Recreation office and the library. The closing date for the survey is April 3.
Anne Capra Madocks of Conservation Works LLC explained what is needed for the updated plan is what makes the city unique to its residents, issue and conflicts and activities people would like to do now which they can’t.
The participants said that under the classification of what makes Chicopee special are Szot Park, Chicopee State Park, Chicopee Golf Course and the Chicopee River, the falls at Chicopee Falls and the spectacle of watching planes over the city from Westover Air Reserve Base.
Issues that were mentioned included future plans for the future Roberts Pond.
Features for the future included additional designated fishing and boat ramp area on the Connecticut River; greater access to the Chicopee River for fishing; a canoe and kayak launch; and the development of the river walk along the Connecticut River. Of the last suggestion Pouliot said there are now meeting to discuss the design of that river walk.
Other requests included more flower and garden space for the public; additional athletic fields; development of Delta Park; and a dog park. One resident noted a Boy Scout had completed a comprehensive survey of the city’s sidewalks to determine if repairs are needed to ensure people with disabilities can use them and that should be addressed.
Madocks said it is “really important people take [the survey]” because of the planning that is being done currently in the Parks and Recreation office.
The survey will be part of the neighborhood meeting Mayor Richard Kos will be conducting on March 31 at 6:30 p.m. for the Willimansett area at the Chicopee Boys & Girls Club.