Rebuilding F Friendship P Park Last update: 10/12/17 Roberts - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Roberts Field Master Plan

Rebuilding F Friendship P Park

Last update: 10/12/17

To be presented in support of Warrant Article 8 to the Chelmsford Fall 2017 Town Meeting on 10/16/17

Roberts Field Improvement Committee (2015-17)

Committee Members

• William Arrington – 2017
• Bill Askenburg – 2015-2017, Chair 2017
• Chris Crafts – 2017
• Sherrill Erickson – 2015-16
• Kate Gleisberg – 2017
• Alice Johannen – 2017, Secretary 2017
• Carole Martin – 2015-16
• Margaret Marynowski – 2017
• Charles Micol – 2015-16
• Shayna Micol – 2015-16, Chair 2015-16
• Mark Robillard – 2015-16
• Adelle Stavis – 2017, Vice Chair 2017
• Gregory Whitney -2015-16, Secretary 2015-16

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Town Liaisons

• Steve Jahnle – Assistant Director of Public Works
• Evan Belansky – Community Development Director
• Nick Parlee – Town Playground Coordinator
• Katie Messer – Town Conservation Agent
• April Mendez – Conservation Commission
• Laura Merrill – Board of Selectmen

Committee Consultants

• Katie Enright – Howard Stein Hudson
• Kasey Ferreira – Howard Stein Hudson
• Alison LeFlore – Harriman Architects and Engineers
• Jim Connolly – Weston Nurseries
• Terrance Duffy – Weston Nurseries
• James Martin, MS – Consulting Arborist

Created a community-driven Master Plan of improvements for Roberts Field.

NEXT - The New Roberts Field Advisory Committee will consult on the implementation of the Master Plan including fundraising, maintenance plan, playground “Community Build”, and more.

Today’s Need For Roberts Field Improvements

• Highly

ly v valued d and nd us used C d Che helm lmsford P Park

• 4th highest noted Park on 2017 OSRP Survey*
• Friendship Park is a heavily used playground*
• Athletic Fields actively used by CYBA and CYLA
• Nature trails, winter skating, and Pollinator Park
• Natural Areas overrun w

with in invasive plants

• Bittersweet choking out tree canopies
• Sediment and grasses filling in Pond
• Athletic fields are commonly

ly unus unusable

• Built in the 1970s, unlevel playing fields, poor drainage

and exposed backstop and dugout fencing footers

• The P

Playground is is increasingly be becoming ing uns unsafe

• Built

ilt i in Sep ept 1995 w with a a 20 yea ear e expected lif ife

• DPW h

has s deter ermined ed t tha hat Friends ndshi hip P p Park is a at e end o

• f

usable l e life , and h nd has b s been en removi ving u uns nsafe e e equi quipmen ent

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*Survey information in Presentation Appendix

Roberts Field Master Plan Improvement Recommendations

• Larger Natural Playground
• Baseball and Lacrosse Athletic Fields
• Pond Side Multi-Use 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

*Improvement Recommendation detail is available in the Roberts Field Master Plan document

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Key Roberts Field Master Plan Highlights

• Total Estimated Master Plan Budget: $700k-$850k
• $47k-$66k additional improvements currently funded through existing Town budgets
• Recommended “fast track” Friendship Park rebuild project starting Fall 2017
• Estimated playground budget: $393k-$456k
• Major Recommended Park Master Plan Improvements
• New, larger, ADA compliant, Inclusive designed and “Nature Themed” Playground
• New Lacrosse and Baseball fields intended for youth league play (under 12 years of age)
• .35 mile interior ADA compliant, permeable material Walking Trail with Exercise Circuit
• Bathroom shade structure (includes year round placement of two Porta Potties)
• Pond side Multi-Use Pavilion (20’x28’, 110v outlets, timed interior lighting)
• Pond dredging to benefit Park’s natural habitat and winter skating
• Natural Area Improvements – new gardens, irrigation system, invasive plant removal

and Protected Tree Inventory

• New security cameras and underground utilities

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Master Plan Site Plan Drawing

Revision 1 Updated 7/24/17 6

Proposed Master Plan Project Budget

• Town Budget = improvements funded through other existing Town budgets
• +22% Low to high budget estimate difference

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• Est. Annual

Master Plan Improvements Low High Low High Low High Maintenance Athletic Fields 103,500 $ 136,000 $ 1,050 $ 1,050 $ 104,550 $ 137,050 $ 15% 3,500 $ Natural Playground 392,800 $ 455,350 $ 700 $ 700 $ 393,500 $ 456,050 $ 50% 2,800 $ Pond Side Multi-Use Pavilion 16,300 $ 27,970 $ 350 $ 350 $ 16,650 $ 28,320 $ 3% Exercise Circuit/Walking Track 33,135 $ 36,969 $

• $
• $

33,135 $ 36,969 $ 4% Portable Bathroom Facility 4,000 $ 5,000 $ 350 $ 350 $ 4,350 $ 5,350 $ 1% 1,860 $ Hardscape Play Area 17,575 $ 20,175 $ 350 $ 350 $ 17,925 $ 20,525 $ 2% Upper & Lower Parking Lots 14,754 $ 15,490 $ 1,000 $ 6,500 $ 15,754 $ 21,990 $ 2% Engine #3 Driveway Area

• $
• $

2,500 $ 2,500 $ 2,500 $ 2,500 $ 0% DPW Parks Garage

• $
• $

14,950 $ 22,100 $ 14,950 $ 22,100 $ 2% Park Welcome Area 11,025 $ 12,525 $

• $
• $

11,025 $ 12,525 $ 1% Natural Areas of the Park 108,530 $ 140,900 $ 1,200 $ 1,200 $ 109,730 $ 142,100 $ 16% 1,200 $ Safety Improvements

• $
• $

24,800 $ 31,200 $ 24,800 $ 31,200 $ 3% 701,619 $ 850,379 $ 47,250 $ 66,300 $ 748,869 $ 916,679 $ 100% 9,360 $ 22% Total Budget Master Plan Budget Town Budget

Friend ndshi hip P p Park P Playground und Rebuild Budget Estimate ($393k-$456k)

• The Master Plan defined the maximum playground footprint, inclusive and accessible design, play features, nature theme and budget expectations.
• Custom design services ($2-$3k) include the overall playground and landscape design, “Design Day” - kid and public design input sessions, play structure

recommendation, inventory and source list, and a scale drawing completed in 6-8 weeks.

• The “Community Build” is a volunteer staffed playground installation.
• Life expectancy (LE): composite – 25 year guarantee, powder coated steel – lifetime, plastic slides – 15 year guarantee, overall playground LE – 30+ years

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Est Yearly Low High Low High Maint Cost Playground Budget Description 392,800 $ 455,350 $ 700 $ 700 $ 2,800 $ Prefab "natural" play equipment (includes custom design, ramps, accessible equipment & wood chips) 300,000 $ 325,000 $

• Value Added: Community Build equipment installation (17%-20% savings invested back into budget)

Landform play areas - shaping, loaming and seeding 3 areas $3k-$5k each 9,000 $ 15,000 $ Interior pathways: Poured rubber (PIP) surface - 4' wide/400' long, $60-80 LF (resealed every 1-2 years) 24,000 $ 32,000 $ 1,200 $ Accessible play areas: PIP surface: $15-$20 per sqft * 1,200sqft (resealed every 1-2 years) 18,000 $ 24,000 $ 1,200 $ Perimeter fencing (34,060 sq' $18-$22 per foot) green vinyl coated 4 foot high, top and bottom rail 13,500 $ 16,500 $ (2) 12'x12' Playground shade structures (2 picnic tables each) or covered seating and (1) shade structure 12,600 $ 22,600 $ (4) Picnic tables - Reuse existing playground picnic tables

• $

(6) playground benches (metal $200-$750 each) 1,200 $ 4,500 $ (1) Information Kiosk (front - rules, "Scavenger Hunt", Park events) 250 $ 250 $ (2) garbage bins and footers 700 $ 700 $ Abutter sound mitigation landscaping (50 Thuja Green Giant 6'-7' aborvitaes on berms - approx 500 LF) 12,750 $ 14,000 $ Adjacent garden outside of rear playground fence 1,500 $ 1,500 $ Maintenance: Cost = wood chips (20cu yds/$20 per yard every 2 years), Mowing, Trash pickup, Equipment repairs, Spring/Fall cleanup - Town 400 $ Town Budget Master Plan Budget

Master Plan: Maximum Available Playground Footprint

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Master Plan: Expectations For New Playground

• Custom playground design and project to include:
• ADA Compliant, accessible, inclusive design, open views
• Larger: now .32 acre, max available footprint .89 acre
• Mix of landform and prefab “natural” playground equipment
• Separated toddler area
• Incorporate inventoried trees into design
• Segregated natural area that can be closed off for mowing
• Shade structures, picnic tables, and benches
• Perimeter Fencing with front and rear openings
• Reuse engraved bricks and Playground entry structure
• Electricity, security lighting and camera (in Safety

Improvement Budget), garbage cans and bike rack

• Visual and sound mitigation design for Park abutters
• Community Build Installation

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Inclusive Play Design and Nature Playground Theme

• Inclusive design, also called Universal Design (UD) or human-centered design in public play
• spaces. Rather than using separate, specialized equipment for individuals with disabilities,

UD principles envision thoughtfully-designed playgrounds with features that can be used by everyone in multiple, creative ways

• A natural playground is a recreational space with a decentralized mix of manufactured play

structures and natural landforms of open green lawns, rolling hills, berms and landscaping designed with the intent of bringing children and people closer to nature, and encouraging fun activities like digging in the sand, rolling down hills, or playing chase or hide and seek.

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Surfaces and Equipment Drive Budget

• Playground Accessibility Distinctions
• ADA Compliant – provides access only to equipment
• Playground surfaces and ramps to elevated structures
• Accessible playground – provides places and equipment

to use

• Inclusive or universal playground – integrated accessible

equipment and access. Everyone plays together

• Playground Surfaces
• Fully Accessible Surfaces: Poured-in-place rubber,

mats/tiles, bonded rubber mulch and synthetic turf with rubber in fill

• Wood chips are ADA compliant if raked and replenished
• regularly. Wheelchair access requires weekly raking
• CFD Chief Ryan requested less wood chips in the

playground plan for fire and injury related reasons

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Custom Playground Design Process

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Joey’s Playground in Belmont, MA

• The playground designer reviews materials in

preparation for “Design Day”

• In the morning, meets onsite with the committee
• Then visits a classroom and school assembly to

gather children’s playground ideas and designs

• Later drafts a playground design sketch and presents

it to the committee and public

• With feedback, design revisions are made and the

new playground drawing is completed

• A playground drawing and sourcing list are provided

at the end of the process

Community Build Process

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Sherborn Playground, Sherborn, MA

• 10 weeks prior volunteer sign-up efforts intensify
• 3 weeks of demolition and site prep
• 5 days of volunteer staffed installation
• 3 shifts per day, 40-50 volunteers per shift

Proposed Project Milestones

• The Town is responsible for determining the Master Plan funding

priorities and implementation schedule, and has designated replacing the playground as a priority

• This custom “Community Build” playground project will be led by the

Town DPW, with the Roberts Field Advisory Committee consulting

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Estimated Timing Proposed Project Milestones Fall 2017 Town seeks funding at Fall 2017 Town Meeting, Custom Playground Designer RFP (Nov), Engineering Reports, Playground Design - “Design Day”, Public Input Session & Survey Winter 2017 Remove Old Playground Equipment, Construction RFP (Dec ), Hire Construction Contractor (Feb ), Source Play Structures (Feb 15), Fundraising Report, Order New Equipment (12-16 weeks delivery) Spring/Summer 2018 Site Prep (May ),“Build Week” (June ), Grand Opening (June 2018)

Thank you

• Please visit www.RobertsField.org for more information

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Presentation Appendix

Pricing Examples

• Harmony Park, Harrington Playground, Castle in the Trees, Playground Equipment

Contractor

Town of Chelmsford Debt Service Model ($450k) Comparable Chelmsford Park Project Costs Survey Information

• Park Users: What do people do at Roberts Field?
• What features would improve the Park?
• Playground Comments

2017 Chelmsford Open Space and Recreation Survey

• What natural open spaces do you visit regularly?
• Playground Comments

History of Roberts Field Developing the Roberts Field Master Plan

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Pricing Example: Harmony Park – East Chelmsford (.11 acre - $120K)

Pricing Example: Harrington School (.21 acre - $160K)

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Equipment $ 99,790, shipping $3,510, install $35,290, mulch $7,600, landscaping prep $6,700, handicap swing relocation $1,500, trees $1,100, border $4,000

Pricing Example: Castle in the Trees – Littleton ($325k)

Pricing Example: Playground Equipment Contractor Cost Estimate

• Sample project cost

for .31 acre playground

• Total Cost $308k,

including:

• Equipment $218k
• 680 cubic yards

mulch - $21k

• Community Build

Supervision $66k

• Freight $15k

Town of Chelmsford Debt Service Model ($450k)

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Comparable Chelmsford Park Project Costs

23 Playground/Parks Projects - Chelmsford (Totals do not represent Town DPW time for building or maintenance costs) Softball Field & Project Expenditures To Date Varney Park* Harmony Park** Town Hall Parking*** Harrington Playground**** Southrow Playground***** Donation Rev 248,352 $ 55,000 $

• $
• $

52,801 $ CPC Funds

• $

5,000 $

• $
• $

10,000 $ Bond Issue 248,352 $

• $
• $
• $
• $

Gen Fund Budget - Hwy 100,000 $

• $

26,266 $ 160,000 $

• $

Expenditures (596,704) $ (60,000) $ (26,266) $ (160,000) $ (62,801) $

Total Est. Project Budget 1,931,194 $ 120,000 $ 282,266 $ 160,000 $ 100,000 $

*Varney Park expenditures are Phase 1, and received a PARC grant for $248,352. The Town advised that it does not believe the Roberts Field project would qualify for a PARC grant because it is not of regional significance, includes smaller improvements that are not transformational, and recent Varney grant award is duplicative geographically for the state. **Harmony Park Playground equipment from Koman, Inc is $100,000, and received $25,000 from the East Chelmsford Improvement fund, $3,500 from Community Action fund *** Softball/Town Hall Parking includes athletic field and parking lot/drainage project costs (approximately $250,000) ****New Harrington Playground replaced with addition of school building modular classrooms *****Southrow Playground replaced old equipment destroyed by fire in FY12. It received an insurance reimbursement of $52,801 and PTO fundraising proceeds of $10,000.

Park User Survey*: What Do People Do at Roberts Field?

Q2 What types of activities do you participate in at Roberts Field? (Select all that apply)

Answer Choices Responses

Bring children to Friendship Park playground

75.18%

Enjoy the natural open spaces

44.15%

Walk on the trails

35.32%

Play lacrosse, baseball or soccer

31.50%

Ice skate

20.29%

Walk dogs

18.85%

Sit pond side

16.71%

Exercise on circuit machines

9.79%

Run/Jog

8.35%

Birdwatching

7.40%

Other (please specify)

10.02% 42 Total Respondents: 419

*Park User Online Survey (Jan 10 – Feb 1, 2016: 429 responses)

Park User Survey*: What Features Would Improve the Park?

Q3 What features would most improve Roberts Field? (Select all that apply)

Answer Choices Responses

Bathroom Facilities

71%

New larger, updated, age-appropriate playground

60%

Water Splash pad for children

43%

Walking track

41%

Picnic Pavilion

36%

Interpretative nature trails

28%

More natural beauty and open spaces

26%

Basketball court

25%

Protected areas for wildlife and native plants

25%

Small outdoor ampitheatre or bandstand

21%

Surveillance video cameras

18%

Sports field house and snack-shack

18%

More parking

15%

Larger pony sized baseball field

11%

Other (please specify)

10%

Beach volleyball court

9%

Bocce ball court

9%

Tennis court

6%

*Park User Online Survey (Jan 10 – Feb 1, 2016: 429 responses)

Park User Survey*: comments that referenced ‘playground’

• A playground that also includes space/equipment so handicapped children can participate with their peers.
• Chelmsford needs a beautiful playground for its kids... we don't have one anywhere which is a shame..
• I'm all for keeping the playground well maintained, renovated and up-to-date.
• "Accessible" playground (so handicapped kids can use it).
• Current Friendship Park playground is great as is but needs maintenance and a new toddler sized play structure.
• Keep and improve giant sand box (currently behind playground).
• Good sized playground for different age group of kids would be nice.
• I think you should focus on making the playground a showpiece.
• Please keep the playground equipment the same, it's very fun, and I and many others have so many memories with it.
• It would be awesome if the playground could be brighter, with fun colors.
• Please leave the trees in Friendship Park.
• I love the playground in it's uniqueness, but it could stand to be updated.
• I think the playground is great as it is- my 3 yo loves it but could see enhancements to it based off some more newly

designed playgrounds in other areas.

• I would love to see improvements to the playground
• 1) Current Friendship Park playground is great as is but needs maintenance and a new toddler sized play structure. 2)Friendship

Park playground sandpit and wood mulch hill are popular!

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*Park User Online Survey (Jan 10 – Feb 1, 2016: 429 responses)

OSRP Survey: Highly Valued Chelmsford Park

• Chelmsford Open Space and Recreational

Facilities Master Plan Survey Results

• May 2017, ConCom Survey, 813 responses
• Roberts Field ranking and comments found

in three questions:

• Which open spaces do you regularly visit?
• How can Chelmsford improve its open spaces
• r recreational facilities?
• Do you have any other comments, questions
• r suggestions?
• Playground comments also given

*Chelmsford Open Space & Recreation Plan Survey (June 2017: 813 responses)

OSRP Survey Comments mentioning “playground”

• Better Toddler Playgrounds
• More playgrounds and family/family friendly

activities

• Better playgrounds
• Better and safer playgrounds for children
• New more advanced playgrounds for children. We
• ften have to visit out of town playgrounds .
• Bigger playgrounds with more parking.

*Chelmsford Open Space & Recreation Plan Survey (June 2017: 813 responses)

Brief History of Roberts Field

Originally farmland and cow pasture, in the late 1960’s the town purchased the property known as “Robert’s Land at Old Westford” to build a school. The school was located elsewhere, and a 1970 Special Town Meeting voted to build the fire station there and designated the remaining area for recreational purposes. The man made pond is a popular place to catch frogs and minnows in the summer and skate in the

• winter. The pond is very shallow, and is only 6-8 inches deep in the middle, and has begun to fill in.

In the early 1990’s, Friendship Park, the parking lot, brick playground pathway and a skate shack near the pond were built. The playground features large wooden, steel and plastic play structures, slides, swings, climbing areas, a sandbox and more. The brick pathway and stone marker leading to Friendship Park features the names of donors who helped build the playground. The Park’s natural area includes a pond, wetland and forested areas, and Pollinator Park, a certified- wildlife habitat. Roberts Field features a one-mile nature walking trail and is home to a healthy diversity of wildlife including many species of birds, insects, frogs, fish, snakes, turtles, birds, deer, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, bats and more.

Developing the Master Plan

• Mission Statement - improve, enhance, and beautify Roberts Field and its natural resources, in turn enriching the

quality of life for Chelmsford residents and all visitors alike, for present and future generations.

• Roberts Field Improvement Committee Activities:
• Transparency of Master Plan development, meeting documents and discussions
• Web Presence – www.RobertsField.org, Chelmsford Telemedia, Facebook, and emails
• Televised Committee Meetings – meetings televised on Chelmsford Telemedia and posted online
• Public Site Walks & Public Input Sessions – held at Park, Town Offices and CPD Headquarters
• Park User Survey, Stakeholder Surveys & Public Written Comments
• Printed Communications – Over 2,000 mailed pieces and Park flyers
• Fundraising Events - $12,921.01 Raised as of 5/2/17
• The Board of Selectmen unanimously accepted the Park’s new Master Plan on 7/31/17

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