Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Reminder Assistant Editor AGAWAM A little paint, some grass and a playground are all that stand in the way of completing the $2 million School Street Park. Last week, several residents could be seen taking in the sunny weather as they strolled along the over three mile long walking trails. According to Christopher Sparks, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, the park is 95 percent completed. The sprinkler system installation, landscaping on the softball and baseball fields and three multi-use fields and painting the basketball, bocce ball and shuffle board courts are all that's left for workers to complete, he added. "It's [School Street Park] going to give us a landmark park which we've never had before," Sparks said. "The parks are so overburdened with scheduled activities, this park will give the community a place to enjoy and schedule activities." In order to complete the park, Sparks is requesting an additional $180,000 of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding for amenities, including an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) "friendly" playground, bleachers, trash and recycling receptacles and a dumpster pad. Sparks noted that Berkshire Power and the ADA Commission have collectively donated $87,000 for a playground but additional CPA funding would allow the purchase of a structure that goes well beyond the minimum ADA compliance criteria. He explained that the proposed playground will have a poured rubber surface as opposed to a wood-chip surface, which meets ADA standards but is not ADA "friendly" as well as several ramps for wheelchair access and "four different types of swings for people of varying ages and abilities." City Councilor Jill Messick said she believes there is a strong need for "ADA friendly" playgrounds in town, adding, however, that the cost for this particular structure is "quite high." She explained that she has not made a definitive decision on the appropriation of the additional CPA funds. The council will review the application as old business at their next meeting on April 22. Messick noted that the poured rubber surface would require less maintenance and would be the safest possible surface for park goers. She said her only complaint with the park is inadequate lighting, adding that she will pursue that matter with Sparks. Edward Dwyer, project manager, said the park should be completed within a matter of weeks, including the installation of the playground, adjacent to the softball field. Sparks said he is planning for a grand opening sometime this summer. He added, however, that field activities will most likely be prohibited until 2009 in order to allow the grass to grow and mature. He also noted that his department's fiscal year 2009 budget has requested additional seasonal personnel to supervise the park. He explained that the park has been developed on 30 of the area's 50 acres of usable land. Sparks explained that a lack of funds prohibited the design and development of the remaining 20 acres. "Once the park is in operation and proven that it's a positive asset for the town, we'll begin exploring options for the remaining 20 acres," he said. Sparks added that he would like to see the 20 acres developed for "passive recreation" such as picnic tables and open air pavilions. "This is the crown jewel of our town. This is a dream come true," City Councilor George Bitzas, also a member of the council's CPA committee, said. | ||||||
