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Date: 6/21/2023
LUDLOW — Joe Lupa from the Recreation Commission received permission from Town Administrator Marc Strange to start a new nonprofit called the Friends of the Ludlow Park.
He added that he and other town residents have expressed interest in working to develop programming and events to spur greater upkeep and development of the town parks.
Lupa said, “I am helping a group of Ludlow parents come together so they can adequately fundraise and use the money that they raise so they can then assist the Recreation Department with doing things like beautifying the parks, like helping in the assistance of getting greater training for the camp counselors that will be looking after their kids, so that we can get the Haviland Pond open so that we afford the things in town that need to be taken care of.”
Lupa said that Kelly DeGobbi was the first person to approach him about the nonprofit and showed interest in wanting to help create the nonprofit.
He added, “Kelly has really stepped up to push the initiative and she is very happy to have hands on deck,” Lupa said, “She has been a firecracker really, coming to me and looking at the steps in which to start a nonprofit and I am helping her compile the list of people who are interested in becoming a founding board member and pushing forward with early fundraising and early planning.”
Lupa said that Ludlow does not have the budget to move forward with things like giving the extra training for lifeguards or buy the mulch to put around the playground equipment.
He said that DeGobbi has already reached out to see if fundraising can happen to help raise funds for the parks and other programs.
Lupa said the organization has three “strong” community members who have already stepped forward for a founding board, but they need two to three more members to file for status.
The Conservation Commission oversees Camp White and each public school is responsible for their respective playground set, according to Lupa.
There are four parks including Whitney Park that the Recreation Department oversees.
Lupa said you can either email him at Joe.lupa.music@gmail.com or DeGobbi at kellydegobbi@gmail.com if you are interested in joining the Friends of Ludlow Parks.
There are currently no fundraising events planned since the main goal right now is gauging interest and recruiting members who want to help get the nonprofit organization started.
Lupa said since he was elected to the Recreation Commission two years ago, he has been trying to work on fixing the parks and offer programming.
“I have tried to push for advancing curriculum in the parks for summer programming. I suggested that we developed more for students and offer the affordability for us to give the training for open waterfront for lifeguards so we can do things like greater emotional health support for kids, open Haviland Pond.”
Haviland Pond has public beach access but has not been opened for beach use since before the coronavirus pandemic because they are struggling to get lifeguards.
Lupa said they are still short two lifeguards who have open waterfront certification, preventing them from opening Haviland Pond on a limited basis.
Lupa has spent time repainting the press box at the baseball field with volunteers, removing graffiti off the park’s playgrounds and picking up beer cans in the park.
He added that he would like to see more volunteers come together to keep the parks clean but also raise money to offer more programs for teenagers.
Lupa said, “There is no programming in town for teenagers right now. There is nothing for kids over the age of 12 to keep them active and because of that we have had constant vandalism. It is not just the graffiti on the playground equipment, we have had roof shingles ripped off the dugout and people taking paint from the press box and splashing it everywhere.”
He would like to see less trash in the parks along with the security surveillance system being upgraded further.
“We need to develop the town so that there is something for people of all generations to come together and use. My suggestion would be to follow other towns and communities who have partnered with Senior Centers so that retired individuals could work together with younger demographics to instruct and give assistance in basic repairs not just in the town parks but the greater community,” Lupa said.
The Ludlow Boys and Girls club offers programs for kids up to 13 years old but has just begun the process of trying to start a teen program.
Residents have complained that they pay a lot in taxes and think there should be someone taking care of the parks.
There is no parks and recreation committee in Ludlow. There is only a Recreation Department.
“There are only 13 people on the Ludlow Public Works which means there is 13 hoisters which ultimately means there are people that are way too overqualified to be run just baseline lawn mowers and scrubbing graffiti off. It is not fair and not right that we are expecting an understaffed and underbudgeted public works to be dealing with all the things like just providing base services.”
Lupa added that it was time for someone to work with family members in town who want to make a difference.
Since Lupa currently serves as an elected position with the Recreation Commission, he said he can give advice and have a voice only for what recreation is planning or dealing with.
He will not have any hand in fundraising, soliciting or dealing with any funds.
Lupa added, “I feel at this time it is my responsibility as someone who has an elected responsibility and obligation to see that the people that checked off my name are adequately taken care of.”