2018 Annual Report
Report of the Parks & Recreation Commission
In 2018, the Parks and Recreation Commission focused on the maintenance of Carpenter Park and that element of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) project that we were unable to complete- addressing the park’s playground.
The maintenance of Carpenter Park was the result of a combination of volunteer and contracted efforts. Mowing was accomplished under contract let through the Board of Selectmen (BOS). The Chichester Youth Association (CYA) provided portable toilets and trash removal. The Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC), the Conservation Commission, CYA, and the community also provided annual, ongoing, and special event cleanup and maintenance.
The expansion of the park playground was part of the Carpenter Park Master Plan and intended to be part of one of the LWCF projects. Purchased in the late 1990’s, the playground equipment was installed by volunteers in 2001 and 2002. Popular with players and siblings at the time of youth sports practices and games, the playground was also a destination for families when school was in session. The amount of usage prompted the plan to expand the playground as part of the LWCF project. However, overall project costs and timing and the deteriorating condition of the playground caused us to change this plan.
In 2017, our playground consultant suggested that rather than expand the existing playground, it should be replaced due to its poor condition and the amount of usage it receives. In 2018, the Town’s risk management consultant pointed out a number of safety issues due to the condition and outdated standards of the playground equipment. In a June, 2018 meeting between the BOS and the PRC, the decision was made to remove the existing equipment and replace it. In November, the playground equipment was removed and the site levelled as a donation by Nic Wood and Brian Eldredge.
PRC is proposing to construct a new playground suitable for both ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12, large enough for the usage it receives, and meeting all safety standards. The budget for equipment purchase and shipping with site work and installation by volunteers is $40,000. PRC and CYA are seeking donations of material, labor, and services from local businesses, organizations, and individuals through newspaper articles, the Town website, and group presentations. A warrant article to support this budget will be considered at this year’s Town Meeting with funding from the Parks and Recreation Capital Reserve Fund, donations, and general taxation. The hope is that the project can go to bid and be constructed in Spring, 2019.
In 2018, Carpenter Park continued to host ongoing youth, adult, and family sports and recreation as well as Old Home Day and the Trunk or Treat/ Haunted Walk events. The number of participants enjoying the park is an indication of what an asset it is to the Town.
As we look ahead to 2019, our work will center on park maintenance including removal of problem trees and work with CYA on athletic field facilities. In addition to the playground project, mapping of the trails on park land near the Highway Department building, constructing an additional informational kiosk, and developing park usage guidelines are new initiatives. Finally, we plan to improve access to park schedules through the Town’s website to facilitate usage of the park facilities.
The success of each of these efforts will depend on the support of the community and coordination with other Town organizations. This year we were pleased to fill the PRC membership by welcoming Robyn Eldredge as our newest member. Monthly meetings are scheduled on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM at the Town Offices. During the summer months, meetings are held at the Carpenter Park pavilion. Meeting locations and additional information on the Parks and Recreation Commission are available on the Town of Chichester website.
Respectfully,
Zachary Boyajian, Chairman
Tom Jameson, Vice Chairman
Ansel Sanborn, Secretary
Ewen MacKinnon
Joe Montambault
Jon White
Robyn Eldredge