Antrim Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes
3/19/2019 noon – 2:00 pm Town Hall and Fire Station
Attendance: Chris Morris, Isaac Lombard, Celeste Lunetta, Joan Gorga. Also Michael Redmond and Peter Moore.
Michael Redmond—Presentation of proposed Eagle Scout Project
Rationale: Gagaball is a recent dodgeball-like activity played in a low-walled enclosure. All ages play together and have fun. Michael has played it at camps and other Scouts have made gagaball pits as Eagle Scout projects.
Location: Memorial Park has skate park, swing set, tennis court; gagaball pit will appeal to wide range of ages and bring energy and people in to park.
Construction: Sent long specific information list previously—no change. Will use:
Natural Lumber—Either plain or pressure-treated will be donated by lumberyard in Rhode Island. Pressure-treated is less toxic than in the past, but probably not necessary as all wood components will be above ground.
Flooring is usually wood chips or grass; woods chips are rough and grass tends to become mud. Perforated rubber mats can be ordered sized to fit; Michael got estimates from two sources over the phone, and will go with the $1000, rather than the $3000, rubber flooring.
Timing: Michael has two years before the project has to be done, but plans to take it before Selectboard on March 25, as it will still take a couple of months to go through Scout approvals, with construction likely starting approximately in July. Due to traffic being detoured through town and possibly onto Jameson Avenue this summer, for safety, Antrim Police suggest checking with them before scheduling start of construction. Parks & Rec Commission also recommends planning around town events taking place in Memorial Park:
May 4—Fishing Derby
May 27—Memorial Day
July 4th
June 25–27—Tennis Camp
Insurance: As gagaball pits have become standard playground equipment, we don’t anticipate issues with insurance; however, Celeste will consult with Primex to confirm.
Parks & Rec Commission approval: Joan will send an email to Donna to notify the Selectboard of Parks & Rec Commission approval of the project pending Primex consultation and to include the following:
Natural lumber
Rubber matting for floor
Wheelchair door
Passive Walking Trail
Moved to Fire Station to explore the possibility of constructing a passive walking trail with disc golf course on TOA land behind and/or below the Fire Station. Neighbor Peter Moore joined us.
The Area: The area consists of beautiful wetlands with Great Brook flowing through—in some places a sandy brook and in other places a braided marshy stream. The area between the brook and Route 31 is predominantly wet and would require a trail to be built at the base of the infill used to build up Route 31 or extensive bog bridges through wet areas. Walking along that section of Route 31 would not be advisable—the banks are steep and the shoulder is narrow. The area on the west side of the brook is predominantly high and dry, and could easily support a trail. A barred owl flew up while we were there.
Parking: Parking would have to be separate from and not interfere with Fire Station parking. There is a shelf below the Fire Station parking lot that could accommodate several cars using the trail and provide additional parking for the Fire Station if needed. Other possible locations include the small high spot farther down the road toward town or across Route 31 on Old Clinton Road. Ideally, the trail would connect to downtown Antrim.
Bridges: There is an old stone bridge abutment at the eastern end of the town-owned property, where a pedestrian bridge could easily be built across the brook. Farther west (upstream) bridge crossings would be more difficult due to the extensive wet areas. Similarly, at the western end of the property and closer to the Fire House, crossing would be more challenging due to the stream braiding and broad wetlands.
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