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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 Board of Public Works Study PARKS AND RECREATION STUDY DECEMBER 1976 TOWN OF READING MASSACHUSETTS BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS John H. Russell , Chairman Paul C. Dustin, Secretary Lawrence R. Blood John W. Price Alexander T. Botka _ Superintendent E. Roger Louanis Prepared by: Department of Public Works Engineering Division Assistant Superintendent William R. Bergeron PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS TABLE OF CONTENTS Parks and Recreation Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Suggested Standards for Parks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Function of Park Types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Playlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Vest Pocket Parks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Neighborhood Parks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Neighborhood Park Space Standard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 DistrictParks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Space Standards for District Parks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Standards for Special Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Limitation of Suggested Standards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Analysis of the Existing Parks System. . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Existing Parks Adequacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Proposed Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 General Conclusions from Survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 MAPS PrecinctMap. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Existing Service Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Existing Winter Service Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 ProposedService Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Proposed Winter Service Areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Existing Facilities Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 APPENDIX 35 Existing Facilities Inventory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Parks Questionnaire Town Meeting Member Response. . 38 Parks Questionnaire 6th Graders Joshua Eaton. . . . . . 41 Parks Questionnaire Planning Board Response. . . . . . . 44 Conservation Commission Response. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 RecreationCommittee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 SchoolDepartment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS The increase in urbanization in the town of Reading has brought about the realization that the provision of recreational facilities and programs is an essential function of the town. The increased density of population in the town has substantially decreased the available open green space while at the same time creating a growing need for park and recreation lands. The time has come to step back and take a good hard look at the existing parks system so as to insure that future generations will derive the benefits and enjoyment of a well established parks system. To plan the recreation areas of the town it is necessary to under— stand and appreciate the basic reasons why these facilities are needed. The most general reasons for establishing parks and recreation areas are the benefits to physical and mental health, enhancement of property values, prevention of delinquency and crime, and prcmotion of safety. The Master Parks Program should therefore be tailored to the town's recreational programs and goals in order to provide adequate facilities at proper locations. The space requirements depend on the physical layout of the town, the residential areas, educational facilities, traffic conditions, the density, age distribution, economic status, and predicted trends of the population and on the topography and availability of private and public lands. In general planners and recreation authorities agree that about one acre of public park and recreation land should be provided for every one hundred persons as a minimum standard. This area in order to have an effectl %e parks system must be divided into its components -2- to provide service to all parts of the town. Applying this to the existing population of the town it is found that the town should have at least two hundred forty acres in its parks and recreation system and according to Metropolitan Area Planning Council mathematical population projections the town will have a 1995 population of approxi- mately 30, 500. This indicates a minimum of 305 acres of parks land. The Town of Reading currently has approximately the following break- down of town owned property. 152 ± acres Parks and School Department 288 *- acres Town Forest and Water Department 790 ± acres Conservation Commission The land occupied by the water department is not open for public use dueto the vandalism problems and the need to protect the well fields from contamination. The land owned by the Reading Conservation Commission is located basimllyin the wet, swampy areas of the town to protect the natural groundwater recharge areas and as such only a small portion of the 790 acres is actually useable as recreation areas. The town probably has the required number of acres suggested for planning but it must also be rioted that the distri.bution of these areas should be well dispersed throughout the entire community in order to have a truly functional park system . Another standard generally agreed upon by recreation authorities is that one half of any community 's park and recreation area should be devoted to active recreation, with the other half used for larger parks. -3- SUGGESTED STANDARDS FOR PARKS The National Recreation and Parks Association recommends the fol- lowing standards to help plan for a community parks system. BY CLASSIFICATION AND POPULATION RATIO ACRES/ SIZE POPULATION SERVICE CLASSIFICATION 1000 PEOPLE RANGE SERVED AREA Playlets * 2,500 sq. ft. 500-2,500 Sub- to 1 acre Neighborhood Vest Pocket Parks * 2,500 sq. ft. 500-2,500 Sub to 1 acre Neighborhood Neighborhood 2.5 Min. 5 acres 2,000-10,000 14-s mile Parks up to 20 acres District Parks 2.5 20-100 acres 10,000-50,000 11-3 miles Special areas and * Includes parkways, beaches, plazas, facilities historical sites, flood plains, down- town malls, and small parks, and lawns. etc. No standard is applicable By Percentage of Area The National Recreation and Park Association recommends that a minimum of 25% of the towns, planned unit developments, and large subdivisions be devoted to park and recreation lands and open space. FUNCTION OF PARK TYPES PLAYLETS The playlets, or sometimes called tot lots, are small areas used primarily by children in the 2 - 10 year old age groups. These areas should be located in high density neighborhoods where large private yards do not exist. The area should contain paved areas, sitting areas, and play equipmer_ for small children. The type of equipment that should be -4- included in these areas should create a definite impact on children and4 enhance their learning potential . The design philosophy behind the play- grounds should be to integrate all of the components into a single play experience so that the play environment lends itself to an infinite amount of imaginative interpretations. Equipment like log climbers, pipes, boxes, and large sand boxes etc. can be a fort or a submarine or anything that a child could want it to be. It has also been proven that this. type of equipment is less proneto vandalism and that children who play in a well designed play area actually play longer and with less conflicts. The paved areas should be color coated into adventure scape areas. These would include geometric designs, hop scotch, and many other designs. It has also been observed that the color coated surfaces not only en- courage more creative play, better motor development and improved concentration, but also help simplify supervision and turn play into a more valuable learning experience. VEST POCKET PARKS The vest pocket parks are similar in function to the tot lots but are used to serve older age groups in high density neighborhoods. These parks should contain walks, grass areas, benches, tables, shade, shuffle— board and similar facilities. NEIGHBORHOOD PARK The Neighborhood Park, from a planning standpoint, has the primary function of serving the recreational needs of the immediate neighbor— hoods for all age groups. Green space and plantings should be used for screening. These facilities are frequently located adjacent to elementary schools and usually contain tot lots within them. Neighbors-c- parks should have sandboxes, swings, wading pools and sinilar facilities for small children as included in the tot lots, as well as the requirements of the vest Pocket parks. Many neighborhood parks serve as playgrounds and have paved surfaces and facilities for -5- such sports as basketball , volleyball , and tennis. These areas should be lighted to provide evening use. Skating rinks if possible should be provided for winter use. It is very important that the needs of the various age groups be satisfied in separate areas since they are fre- quently not compatible. NEIGHBORHOOD PARK SPACE STANDARDS The following space standards for Neighborhood Parks are suggested for various units within the park, as recommended by the National Park, Recreation and Open Space Standards. AREA IN ACRES FACILITY OF UNIT PARK ADJOINING SCHOOL SEPARATE PARK Play apparatus area-preschool .25 .25 Play apparatus older children .25 .25 Paved multi-purpose courts .50 •50 Sports Fields 5.00 Senior Citizen 's area .50 .50 Quiet area & outside classroom 1 .00 1 .00 . Open or "free play" area .50 .50 Family Picnic Area 1 .00 1 .00 Off-Street Parking provided by school 2.30 Landscaping (buffer S special) 2.50 5.00 Undesignated space (10%) .65 1 .45 Total 7. 15 Acres 15.75 Acres * based on space required for approx. 25 cars. DISTRICT PARKS District Parks serve several neighborhoods but are of sub-community significance. The area is rather intensively used for the activities -6— of youths and adults, including spectator sports. Open green space and landscaping receive equal emphasis with functional recreational facili— ties and are especially important for appearance and safety. Mutual benefits may be achieved by planning the location and coordination of district parks with educational facilities, especially high school campuses. i District Parks should contain playfields for softball , football , track, including facilities for spectator's seating, picnic areas, including tables, benches, and shelter houses, and sufficient green space in the form of trees, shrubs, and flowers to provide screening to surrounding areas and provide for the relax ation of the users of the parks. Where the topography permits, provisions should be made for skiing and for coasting by sleds and toboggans. District Parks should not have vehicular traffic flowing through them, but should have ade- quate perimeter streets to permit convenient access. Where concentrat- ion of activities requires it, off-street parking facilities to serve the park may be installed. -7- SPACE STANDARDS FOR DISTRICT PARKS Recommended Standards by National Park, Recreation and Open Space Standards (Washington, D.C. NRPA) AREA IN ACRES FACILITY C= UNIT PARK ADJOINING SCHOOLS SEPARATE PARK Play apparat_s =_-preschool .35 .35 Play apparatus area-older children .35 •35 Paved multi-purpose courts 1 .25 1 .75 Tennis Complex 1 .00 1 .00 Recreation center building School Building 1 .00 Sports fields 1 .00 10.00 Senior Citizen's Complex 1 .90 1 .90 Open or "free play" area 2.00 2.00 Archery Range .75 .75 Swimming Pool 1 .00 1 .00 Outdoor Theater .50 .50 Ice Rink 1 .00 1 .00 Family Picnic Area 2.00 2.00 Outdoor Classroom area 1 .00 1 .00 Golf practice hole .75 Off street parking 1 .50 3.00 Landscaping (buffer & special ) 3.00 6.0o Undesignated Space (10%) 1 .66 3.43 Total 20.46 acres 37.76 acres _8_ STANDARDS FOR SPECIAL FACILITIES The National Park, Recreation and Open Space Standards also recommends the followir. -:r' um number of individual recreation facilities. I TOWN OF READING FACILITY STANDARD/1000 PEOPLE COMMENT NO. REQ. ACTUAL _ Baseball Diamonds 1/6000 reg. , 90 ft. 4 2 Softball , Little League 1/3000 8 12 Tennis Courts 1/2000 (best in 12 13 battery of 4) Basketball Courts 1/500 48 92/2 Swimming Pools 25 meter 1/10,000 based of 15 sq.11 ,000ft.2 ft. of water for 30/ of pop. Skating Rinks (artificial ) 1/30,000 1 0 i Note: Every effort should be made to light all facilities for night use, thus extending their utility. LIMITATION OF SUGGESTED STANDARDS The suggested criteria are to allow for planning in general and are not meant to be used as rigid standards but as planning tools. In order to determine the type of facilities the Town of Reading wants provided in its parks system a Parks Questionnaire was prepared to allow public input in this early stage of the planning process. The most logical people to contact and obtain responses from were the Town Meeting Members. This group of people would insure an equal distribution of questionnaires throughout the eight precincts and thus insure a response fro7 all areas of the town. -9- The questionnaire was also given to a sixth grade class at Joshua Eaton to provide a response from the sector of the population who are the primary users of the parks. It is recognized that the response is very isolated to one specific area of the town and that the responses only reflect t^eir limited experiences and needs of that one area, but the children's i'_-= s important to insure that all of the peoples needs are satisfied. The Planning Board of the Town of Reading also responded as a Board and their input is included below. The following is a synopsis of the parks questionnaire response. The actual tabulated results of the parks questionnaire are attached in the appendix of the report. - RESPONSE TO QUESTIONNAIRE, - Adults 53 responses out of 200 sent out Sixth Graders 23 responses - done in class. QUESTION RESPONSE A. Do you believe that the Town of Reading has an effective and viable Parks Program? Adults -------89% rated Good - Excellent Sixth Graders-43% rated Good - Excellent Planning Board-Good B. Are there enough parks and play areas within the town? Adults -------59% yes Sixth Graders-950/ yes Planning Board-No -10- C. If a park were established in your neighborhood what is the maximum distance that you or your family would travel to use the facility? Adults 2 1/8 mile 6 1/4 mile 15 1/2 mile jj 1 mile or more Sixth a ers 9 1 /8 mile 8 1/4 mile 9 1/2 mile 1 1 nice or more Planning Board _ _ X X D. If you have children, when do they and when do you use the existing parks system? Adults Sixth Grade Planning Board Response Response Response CHILDREN 26 16 X weekends 22 18 X after schoo , 17 12 evenings ADULTS 27 10 X weaker 3 0 after sc of 23 7 X evenings E. If there were a lighted facility in your neighborhood would you or your family use it? Adult Sixth Graders Planning Board Response Response Response 24 yes 21 no 20 yes 3 no yes If yes, what specific facility? Adults Sixth Graders Planning Board 21 Tennis 14 Tennis Tennis 3 Skating I Skating Swimming Pool 4 Basketball 3 Basketball 1 Baseball 6 Baseball 1 Softball 1 Softball 4 Football 1 Hockey 1 Soccer 11— F. Of the following which do you feel the town has the greatest need? List as many as you wish and number in order of preference. Adult % Sixth Grade % Planning Board Response Response Response by ral Bike Paths, z_:nc Paths etc. 63% 70% 1 Winter Play Areas 48% 91% Skating Areas 54% 83% 3 Tennis Courts 50% 70% 2 Hiking Areas 48% 43% Children 's Play Areas 38% 48% Picnic Areas 37% 52% Open Areas, No Sports 42% 17% 4 Baseball Fields 31% 39% Football Fields 19% 52% Volleyball Courts 19% 48% Victory Gardens 21% 39% Basketball Courts 19% 30% Golf Practice Areas 12% 26% Motorbike Areas 12% 26% Handball Courts 12% 17% 5 The response from the Conservation Commission indicated the following uses which may apply to Conservation lands. "Recreational endeavors on these lands are 'passive' in nature— horse-back riding, hiking, gardening, cross—country skiing, skating, jogging and similar un—organized activities" The response and concerns of the School Department and the Recreation Committee are very similar in nature and can probably best be expressed in the following modified communication from the Recreation Committee. -12- it is becoming increasingly clear that our Park facilities are being overused, resulting in the continual deterioration of these area Expansion of school programs, further requests from local groups, and new Recreation Department activities further tax these strained facil- ities. It would be highly desir able to enter into some type of land- bank program =_s soon as possible. In this program, selected areas would be tak_n _. of service, restored, and allowed to grow strong before returning to use. our projects are largely directed at making available more useable land to relieve the congestion on existing areas. In many cases, areas used to practice are the hardest hit. Areas for practice do not usually need to be as large as or in as good condition as areas for games. It is therefore suggested that every effort be made to use or create new practice areas to help relieve the existing overused fields. ANALYSIS OF THE EXISTING PARKS SYSTEM Applying the criteria for service areas the map indicates the areas which are now not being properly served by the park system. In order to determine where the largest need exists, various population, age distribution, and land areas were investigated. The eight precincts were used to 'develop this information. Each precinct was analy zed to determine population density and age one through eighteen percentage in the precinct compared with the precinct popula- tion and the percentage of one through eighteen year olds in the pre- cincts as compared with the entire one through eighteen year olds in the town. The results are shown in the following table. _13!W Population 8 Statistics Town of Reading, Massachusetts Total Population as of 1976 ---- 24, 125 ��p• Group Break Downs % of Total Population A(lo I - 18 33.2 19 - 30 20.4 31 - 40 12.9 41 - 50 11 .7 51 - 60 10.2 61 - over 11 .9 % Precinct Area Population Po Densit 1-18 % 1-18 Precinct Precincts Total Shown Per Precinct People mi Rank Precinct Total Town 1-18 Wink 1 29.0 2,938. 1 ,016. 8 31 .7 12.0 h 2 11 .0 3,018. 2,762. 6 32.2 12. 5 2 3 9.7 2,914. 3,001 . 4 24.6 9.2 8 4 7 .5 2,913. 3,916. 3 33. 1 12.4 3 5 4.2 2,860. 6,806. 1 27.5 10. 1 7 6 6.9 2,947. 4,257 . 2 29.4 11 . 1 6 7 10.6 3,000. 2,828. 5 30. 1 11 .9 5 8 21 . 1 2,995. 1 ,419. 7 34.0 13. 1 1 'moi->r�¢is+'t".` \_ ' 7 • r.Yi � 4,-r, i MW\ il 4Y ? t ;v 93 IS-� a OPEN SPACE Restricted Open Space 1 P Public—Conservation Land Public—Parks,Schools&Carrete Other Public Open Lands awl �i 4 J_%ap "U0 7000 SCALI III HIT '} RI M at nu IM (q. ramm)ws q nn na un tas TOWN OF READ14 - 14 - - >uomsSPx COUNTY n7ASSACHUSETT3 , tic gOADD 01 PCgLIG 10Pn! ESGLSV.MY Q,1T1�1ON -15- As can be seen from the results, precinct five has the largest population density of 6,806 people per mile squared and precinct one has the apparent lowest density of only 1 ,016 people per mile squared. In orcer to c'.tain a more accurate population density for the precincts w". z'- =zntain a large amount of swamp and flood plain land and in the case of precinct three the large industrial zone the following revised population densities are obtained. Revised Density Precinct People / mile2 Revised Rank 1 2,218 7 2 4,836 2 3 4,497 3 4 3,916 6 5 6,8o6 1 6 4,441 4 7 3,933 5 8 1 ,730 8 The results of this investigation will be used to help determine which areas are currently being served and which areas need improve- ment on a population priority basis. - 16 - PLAN REFERENCE NUMBERS 1 - Sturges Park 2 - Washington Park 3 - Glen Meadow 4 - Memorial Park 5 - Batchelder Field 6 - Birch Meadow 7 - Leach Park 8 - Joshua Eaton School 9 - Prospect Street School 10 - Parker Junior High School 11 - Hunt Memorial Park 12 - Common 13 - Highland School 14 - Killam School and Triangle 15 - Pearl Street School �a N IN WN v� F :.. F � t > J 4� SKS\✓ \\ zYa. r +ut`C ,r ` OPENiSPACE Restricted Open Space u Public—Cor+servation LarA Public—Parks,SCI+OOIS&Cemetl Other Publw Open lads- - � i - t 0 TWA taHO, 30H0 SCALD IM FFHP .1tI.M. Y' \A tonsauve swr) torah u.e ms 'i TOWN OF READING EXISTING SERVICE AREA MIDDLE3EX COUNTY JIASSICdC3LT" ePIAV Or WOPXf 1 F_Ncr t:etwcp vr4-DN- - 18 - PLAN REFERENCE NUMBERS - EXISTING WINTER PLAY AREAS 1 Sturges Park 3 Glen Meadow ^^ 4 Memorial Park ^ 6 Birch Meadow 18 Fox Run Lane School Site and Town Forest 21 BeaRMeadow 22 Meadowbrook Golf Course ** 23 Kurchian Woods * *•• ^^- * Indicates Skating Area ** Indicates Sliding Area *** Indicates Cross Country Skiing zax Fri" .:.. � • \ � h�� 9T' I VVV .tom, a. � 1 ! r ti OPEN SPACE T, i " Res acted Opm Space Public—Conservation Land Public—Parks,Schools&Cameo a" Other Public Open Lands 0 1000 2000 2001 WSCOL[ M S[F2 120 , uD 'Up um n10 at Ms punsnu< nv) ten w flat un 11 TOWN OF AVADI\G EXISTING WINTER -SERVICE AREAS MIDDLE3E% COUNTY 6IA33ACnU3ETT3 19 n',IUD n) PBM-K W.." I:SGICNKK G QlKLA S -20- EXISTING PARKS ADEQUACY 1 . Sturges ?_srk 7.38 Acres Neighborhood Park Service z mile radius. Populatic-: _e-:ed 3,030 people ± Recommended improvements: 1 . Add one additional tennis court 2. Improve tot lot to meet criteria 3. Add open area along stream 4. Investigate possible dual usage of existing skating area for open free play area and possible volley ball court or similar open area use. 2. Washington Park 5.7 Acres Neighborhood Park Service Area 1� mile radius . Population Served 5,280 people ± Recommended improvements: 1 . The existing park does not meet the minimum area require- ment of 7. 15 acres for a Neighborhood Park but is now serving as a district park. The area should be expanded. 2. Try to obtain abutting land to develop a winter skating area and open area. 3. Add one additional tennis court. 4. Develop a small parking area for the park. 5• Add tot lot to meet new criteria. 6. Improve existing facilities with improved maintenance procedures. -21- 3. Gle,% Meadow 7.66 Acres Neighborhood Park Service Area z mile radius Population Served 3,400 people ± Recommended improvements: 1 . Clean up and use the wooded area of the park. for expanded tot lot and open area. 2. Try to :bt=_in pedestrian easement from Lisa Lane down to Munroe Avenue for sidewalk, bike path. This would expand the existing service area of the park and encourage the use of it. It would also reduce the danger of children walking all the way to West Street to go to the park. 4. Memorial Park 21 .88 Acres Neighborhood Park and part of the function of a District Park Service Area 'z mile to 1 mile radius Population Served 'z mile radius 3,700 people Population Served 1 mile radius 15,000 people Recommended Improvements: 1 . Improved tot lot to meet criteria. 2. Possible additional tennis court. 3. Band Shell site for entire town. 4. Set aside a few locations for volleyball. courts. 5. Batchelder Field 11 . 14 Acres Neighborhood Park-------District Park Service Area ? mile radius population 1 ,700 ± Service Area 1 mile radius population 4,650 ± Recommended Improvements: 1 . Provide a tot lot to meet criteria. 2. Possible location for two tennis courts 3. Possible lc----tion for one basketball court. 4. Possible location for one sports field which would allow dual usage. 5. Remainder should be left as open area and for horse ring. 6. Possible connection of hiking trails to existing Conservation Co-r'ssion Lands. Batchelder Field as it now exists serves only as open area and for horse ring enthusiasts 6. Birch Meadow 60 Acres-open District Park Service area for entire town for organized sports. Recommended Improvements: 1 . Improve tot lot facilities 2. Possible addition of two tennis courts to existing ones. 3. Explore the full potential of the Higgins property addition to the park. a.. A bike way could be provided from Henzie and Criterion to allow easy access to the park. b. An expanded skating facility could be developed. 7 . Leach. Park 0.86 Acres Vest Pocket Park Service Area k mile radius . Population Served 700 -' people. Recommended Improvements: 1 . Possibly create a more garden type atmosphere with flowers and hedges. 2. Add more benches for sitting. 3. Leave site as open area. -23 8, Joshua Eaton School 7.48 Acres Neighborhood Park Service Area 1� mile radius, Population served 4, 100 people Service Area u mile radius, Population served 1 ,000 people - Recornended Improvements: 1 , --dition of tot lot to meet new criteria. 2, pzss--'e addition of one tennis court. 9. Prospect Street School 0.87 Acres Tot Lot Service Area 14 mile radius Population served 800 people '- Recommended Improvements: 1 . Create a tot lot. 2. Possible addition of a volleyball court. 10.. Parker Junior High 9.38 - Acres Neighborhood Park Service Area 'z mile radius Population Served 3,400 people Recommended Improvements: 1 . Possible location for new tennis courts to help relieve the Washington Park demand. 2. Possible location for tot lot. 3. Possible basketball court. 4. Leave open areas where possible. 5• Try to create more practice areas for School Department. -24- 11 . 24-11 . Hunt Memorial Park 4.97 Acres Neighborhood Park Service Area z mile radws Population Served 3,580 people Service Area 14 mile radius Population Served 840 people ± Recommended Improvements: 1 . Cr__ _e a tot lot. 2. Tr;' _r__e a dual purpose utility field and skating area in the unused part of the park. 3. Create open area along the wet area and provide buffer area. 4. Poor parking in this area is a serious problem and off street parking is definitely needed, especially if the park is fully developed. 5. Try to provide either a tennis court or a basketball court. Note: 1 . The paved area from either of these courts could be designed to provide the needed skating area. 2. The paved areas are also used for street hockey. 12. Common 2.00 Acres Vest Pocket Park Service Area Retail Store District Recommended Improvements: 1 . Possibly create a more garden type atmosphere with flowers etc. 2. Leave .site as open area. 13• Highland School 1 .87 Acres Tot Lot Service Area k mile radius Population Served 700 people + Recommended Improvements: 1 . Create a tot lot. 2. Possible addition of basketball court on existing pavement. -z5- 14. ,Killam School & Triangle 7.72 Acres Neighborhood Park Service Area ': mile radius Population Served 1 ,700 people ± Recommended Improvements: 1 . Create Football and soccer field for use as practice area =_r_ __ es by School Department. 2. Possible baseball field with the other fields. 3• Leave open area for no sports. 4. Create tot lot. 15. Pearl Street School 4.84 Acres Neighborhood Park Service Area i mile radius Population Served 3,700 people ± Recommended Improvements: 1 . Create tot lot to meet criteria. 2. Leave open area for no sports with possible limited use as a practice area. - -26 - PLAN REFERENCE NUMBERS 1 - Sturges Park 2 - Washington Park 3 - Glen Meadow 4 - Memorial Park 5 - Batchelder Field 6 - Birch Meadow 7 - Leach Park 8 - Joshua Eaton School 9 - Prospect Street School 10 - Parker Junior High School 11 - Hunt Memorial. Park 12 - Common 13 - Highland School 14 - Killam School and Triangle 15 - Pearl Street School 16 - Bear Hill Site 17 - Nike Base Site 18 - Fox Run Lane 19 - Harvest Road - Track Road Area 20 - Lowell Street at Beverly Road Revay Well Area :tom X-1 S` s N IN $ f Y OPEN SPACE Rfti,kted OPm SPate -. Publi¢—Conservation LaYd Public—Park;Schools&Czllell EllOther Public Open LaMs 0 TWO 2006 30M F' SCALE IM FEET I'll YN U.k.F.I.WWII. YIIIC JW) iIYY 11 IYY! biY TOWN OF READING PROPOSED SERVICE AREA �IEone.esex eocvTY \lA3SaEHL'SY.TT! 27 n"..11 11ILI, w00. _ 28 _ PLAN REFERENCE NUMBERS 1 WINTER PLAY AREAS i 1 Sturges Park III2 Washington Park 3 Glen Meadow ** 4 Memorial Park 6 Birch Meadow Expand into Higgins Land 17 Nike Base Site (Haverhill St. ) * *** 18 Fox Run Lane School Site and Town Forest 21 Bear Meadow 22 Meadowbrook Golf Course ** *** 23 Kurchian Woods * Indicates Skating Areas ** Indicates Sliding Areas *** Indicates Cross Country Skiing F I+� i fl % �f G I) •-P" ,. < �� OPEN SPACE Restricted Open space Public—Conservation Land Public —Parks,Schools&Carreter _..�.1 Other Public Open Lands U IFCA flf IF 300 - SCILI [7� ...`� IL[ 4p Wr n11Y f1[Y [ 0(In11 !N[o[YOu tut) 1[rl ur ulIt][ TOWN OF READING PROPOSED WINTER SERVICE AREAS NIIDDLCSLX COf;S710 NIASUC)165L7A 29 ROAAO Or OW LK NORM! - 30 - PROPOSED FACILITIES ' 16. Bear Hill Site 11 .09 Acres The development of Bear Hill into a full Neighborhood Park would provide a valuable facility to an area of the town which is currently not being served adequately by any park. The site could possibly have the following. 1 . Two tennis courts 2. Children 's play area as well as tot lot 3. One basketball court 4. One softball field 5. Open area for benches and picnic and free play 6. Parking facility The population served by this park would be approximately 1 , 150 people. The area is also restricted due to the physical barrier of Route 128 and Main Street. 17. Nike Base Site (Haverhill Street) 16.52 Acres fenced-in 32.07 Acres total Neighborhood Park to potential District Park This park would be used by a larger commuting population than other parks due to its location, but the site has very good potential for converting the existing paved areas to tennis courts basketball courts and for providing skating areas over the existing paved areas. This is a wooded area available and an open field which could easily be converted to a ballfield. The cost for development of this site would appear on the sur- face to be very low due to the existing facilities. ' The development of this site would probably require a pedestrian cross walk with a light located near the school - 31 - The population served by this park would be approximately 1 , 100 for a 15 mile service radius and 3,500 for a 1 mile service radius. 18. Fox Run Lane School Site. 11 .6 Acres - Neighborhood Park Service Area 2 mile Population served 1 ,000 people. Proposed improvements: 1 . Since this would only serve a small population at the present time, full development is not required. 2. Picnic areas 3. Tot lot 4. Bike ways and jogging paths 5. Open areas 6. Connections to Town Forest 7. Should maintain high open space for future development. 19. Harvest Road - Track Road Area 5.8 Acres Neighborhood Park Service Area z mile radius Population served 500 people + The development of this existing town owned property would pro— vide a facility to an area of the town which is currently not being served adequately by any park. This site could possibly be used to provide the following. 1 . Future regulation or softball field site in place of the field proposed at Hunt Memorial Park 2. Children 's play area as well as tot lot. 3. One basketball court 4. Open area for benches, picnic, and free play area -32- 5. Possible bike way to Johanna Drive. Note: This area could also be used by people in the Libby Avenue are-4- where reawhere the existing dwellings area surrounded by Conservation Lands Which will Probably not be cleared for sports field use. The pec='_ Served by this facility are not large in number therefore a long staged construction period may be the approach to the development of this area. 20. Lowell Street at Beverly Road Revay Well Area Revay Well Land 30.39 Acres Service Area 14 - i mile radius Population Served 700 people'- The development into a small area at the end of Beverly Road from the existing Revay Well Land could possibly be used to .provi.de a facility to an area of the town which is currently not being served adequately by any park. The site could possibly have the following. 1 . One tennis court or basketball court. 2. Children' s play area as well as tot lot. 3. One little league field. 4. Open area for benches and picnic and free play area. 5. Possible jogging paths in the well fields. 6. Possible bike path to Grove Street and to Margaret Road. Note: This site could be developed over a long construction period similar to the Track Road area. This area has a large 1 - 18 age population. General Conclusions from Survey The questionnaire indicated a need for an overall improve- ment of maintenance procedures and trash cleanup. Improvements in these a-ees may best be accomplished by consolidating the responsibility to one department. Improved field restoration would also `_e `.elped by installing sprinkler systems on the heavily used fields. The recommendation of having all facilities lighted besides extending the usage may aid the police department in curtailing the drinking and park vandalism currently exhibited in our parks. The response to the parks questionnaire made a very . strong statement in general indicating that the needs of the organized sports activities are being catered to but the general needs of the public are not. The tabulated results on page 11 indicate that of the facilities needed in the Town, according to Town Meeting. Members, baseball ranked 9th on the priority list and football ranked 11th. The 6th graders also ranked the need for baseball fields 10th and football fields 6th. The Planning Board indica- ted that new facilities for organized sports are not even required. The response also indicated that more of the existing fields should be made available for people who are not in organized sports. The number of people currently participating in organized sports is approximately 10% of the total population but if the time used by organized sports were determined it would dominate the use of most of the facilities most of the time. The obvious solution to the existing problem is to provide more sports facilities but more importantly the need for improved planning of the use of the fields is required. If the new fields are added to the parks system to combat the overuse and resulting deterioration of the fields, the idea of limiting play and in some cases omitting play on the fields to ' ca the area to grow strong is essential . It is =_'. s. that blocks of time be left open for. people not . i -1 :_ .o participate in ore-nized sports and that this tire - 34 - be incorporated into the planning process. The planners of the activities may decrease the number of games played to increase the people participating or by organ- izing more sports which require less area but require a number of people to play such as volley ball . This type of planning and redirecting of interests to better utilize the existing parks facilities and grounds is something that needs to be reviewed along with the existing park. Planning or providing new fields without the planning improvement is just an expansion of the existing problem. APPENDIX 35 �1 ' l EXISTING FACILITIES INVENTORY a � Qa �a `d c o i v 1 ^C ^C o m h o ° a oa i ac `' ^oc ''F a ao Off Street m ma 1 4° �0 � Z o p¢ •`o ¢ � r�`r '� Parking 1 Sturges Park x x x x x Limited Washington Park x x x x x x Limited arrows Glen Meadow x x x x School Memorial Park x x x x x Limited Batchelder Field x Yes 4 i Birch Meadow x x x x x x x x x x x x x Yes M Leach Park x Yes 2 Joshua Eaton School x x x x Yes 'z Prospect Street School x No Hunt Memorial x 1-40E Leaqud Ba eball No Common x Limited Highland School x No Killam School & Triangle x x x x Yes Pearl Street School x x x x Yes Parker Jr . High School x x x Yes y `U. AZa it < r ✓, '�3 8 AAs { 93 OPEN SPACE Restricted Open Space Public—Conservation Lard \_ z!` � t � .. x •. Public—Parks,Schools&CemeteY._ . t Other Public Opm Lands 0 _I�009 nOl QUO SCALE IN FEET ( Al w um Mex mn rw t � euu,rap.') on tWurt un " xistinq Facilities Plan Inventory TOWN OF READING anDDLE3EX COUNTY - 37 - MASSACHUSETTS TS or PC eLIC M'OA%3. ESGPKEWNG WK1 IDS 5 -5 oN z - 38 - OUESTIONNAIRE 1 . Do you believe that the Town of Reading has an effective and viable Parks Program? If yes, please rate: Excellent 38Good _Fair j Poor If no, please give possible improvements f 2. Do you think there are enough parks and play areas within the Town? 27 Yes 20 No . If No, where is another needed 3. If a park were established in your neighborhood, what is the maximum distance that you or your family would travel to use the facility? Z 1/8 Mi . 6 1/4 Mi . /S 1/2 Mi . /S 1 Mi . or more 4. How many children do you have? Ages _ 5. If you have children, when do they and when do you use the existing parks system? Children Adults 26 Weekends 7 Weekends 22 After school 3 After school Evenings 2 J_Evenings 6. Do traffic problems prevent you from allowing your children to go to park areas? 6 Yes 33 No If yes, where 7. If there were a lighted facility for evening use in your neighborhood, would you or your family use it? _Yes No If yes, what specific facility TE.vNIS Z1 8'4s (67-8411 y SK,4rllVG 3 S-41SE73'44k 1 SoF7-84z[ 1 �' - 39 - 8. Of the following which do you feel the Town has the greatest need? List as many as you wish and number in order of prefer- ence. IO Football Fields �a Open areas, no sports I Baseball Fields /0 Basketball courts Tennis Courts 3 3 Bike Paths, Jogging paths etc, z 8 Skating areas 6 Golf practice areas do Children's play areas / 9 Picnic areas /0 Volley ball Courts _Hiking areas (a Handball Courts // Victory Gardens 2 j Winter pUY areas _ Mot,a bikp. eas u�C, ac e j 1. Sa Mto fit caL of activities 9. For a park to fit your needs what ty�e of activities would you want to see? 3 2 Leisure Activities 30 Open areas $ Organized sports Other 10. Do you feel areas should be dictated to a specific use, i .e. , lawns and flower gardens, benches in one park with sports in another area, etc? 32 Yes -LZ—No 11 . Should there be more off-street parking in the park areas? Yes ,;27 No if yes, where 12. What type of park do you feel would be best: suited to your area? R.j_Neighborhood park (total areas, courts, etc. ) 5- District park (includes facilities for spectator sports) /9 Community parks - priority to natural open green space _Other (i .e. , zoo, band shell , etc. ) - 4o - 13. Do you feel that it would be worthwhile for the Town to expend more money and resources to provide an effective park program? 7L Yes _22.No Please comment: 14. How do you think the parks and town property in general can be improved to better serve the public? 15. Additional comments: Name: Address: 1?3 JOSHUA C4rOAN 6TH GRADERS - 41 - QUESTIONNAIRE 1 . Do you believe that the Town of Reading has an effective and viable Parks Program? If yes, please rate: y Excellent (o Good 17, Fair Poor If no, please give possible improvements 2. Do you think there are enough parks and play areas within the Town? 20 Yes / No If No, where is another needed 3. If a park were established in your neighborhood, what is the maximum distance that you or your family would travel to use the facility? 9 1/8 Mi . _L_1/4 Mi . 3 1/2 Mi . / 1 Mi , or more 4. How many children do you have? /aye 3. 2 Ages 5. If you have children, when do they and when do you use the existing parks system? Children Adults / G Weekends 0 Weekends l 8 After school n After school . /2 Evenings Evenings 6: Do traffic problems prevent you from allowing your children to go to park areas? J Yes A6 No If yes, where MgiN SrehkY CI) 7. If there were a lighted facility for evening use in your neighborhood, would you or your family use it? 2 b Yes 3 No If yes, what specific facility ThAWjE �y /j/JSfC✓JCC Co FOoT,64 4 L y B0C41' T6�c3 S.Fjz- i S OFT& LL � SO CCk� J - 142 8. Of the following which do you feel the Town has the greatest need? List as many as you wish and number in order of prefer— ence. /z Football Fields y Open areas, no sports Baseball Fields 7 Basketball courts /GW Tennis Courts / 6 Bike Paths, Jogging paths etc T Skating areas !; Golf practice areas Children's play areasPicnic areas � ( Volley ball Courts ! O Hiking areas Handball Courts `l Victory Gardens Winter play areas (, Motorbike areas 9. For a park to fit your needs what type of activities would you want to see? S- Leisure Activities _Open areas Organized sports 3 Other 10. Do you feel areas should be dictated to a specific use, i .e. , lawns and flower gardens, benches in one park with sports in another area, etc? 13 Yes . _ 7_No 11 . Should there be. more off—street parking in the park areas? /y Yes _YNo If yes, where L04 N0 '✓Gre.l ' P42✓ �7) 12. What type of park do you feel would be best :suited to your, area? Neighborhood park (total areas, courts, etc. ) S District park (includes facilities for spectator sports) _Community parks — priority to natural open green space ^LOther (i .e., zoo, band shall , etc. ) t . - 43 - 13. no you feel that it would be worthwhile for the Town to expend more money and resources to provide an effective park program? /8 Yes L/ No Please comment: 14. How do you think the parks and town property in general can be improved to better serve the public? 7 PR$f/ CGLG ccT/v �7� SG/Y�6 �{� 3///2 eyc"OcC?) 7P7VAII.f(9) �Cr cH L.J ��_� P/3 < TlPDO S (zl 15. Additional comments: Name: Address: S - 44 - MUNIGIP4L `� U q READING 4 BUILDING MASSfl CM V SETTS TOWN OF READING PLANNING BOARD 3 November 17, 1976 Mr. John E. Russell, Chairman Board of Public Works Municipal Building Reading, Massachusetts 01867 Dear Mr. Russell: The Planning Board has taken the opportunity via the Board of Public Works's Questionaire to give its input to the establishment of an improved planning procedure for nark development and needs. We fe--1 the results of the questionaire will be valuable in the development of an Open Space and kecreatieral Policy for the Town of Reeding. Maureen T. O'Brien Chairman - 45 - 1. Do you believe that the Town of Reading has an effective and viable Parks Program? yes If yes, please rate: Excellent x Good Fair Poor If no, please give possible improvements: disparity between where people and proximity to parks. 2. Do you think there are enough parks and play areas within the Town? _ yes x no If No, where is another needed: Southeast & Southwest 3. If a park were established in your neighborhood, what is the maximum distance that you or your family would travel to use the facility? _ 1/8 Mi . _1/4Mi. x 1/2M1 . to 1 Mi. or more depending on the facility 4. How many children do you have? 15 (Planning Hoard total) Ages: range between seven to seventeen years of age 5. If you have children, when do they and when do you use the existing park system? Childaen Adults x Weekends x Weekends x After school After school Evenings x Evenings 6. Do traffic problems prevent you from allowing your children to go to park areas? R _yes No If yes, whene: individual cases 7. If there where a lighted facility for evening use in your neighborhood, would you or your family use it? _yes _no If yes, what specific facility pool & tennis 8. Of the following which `do you feel the Town has the Greatest need ? List as many as you wish and number in order of pre- ference. #1. Hike Paths, Jogging paths etc. 2. Tennis courts 3. Skating areas 4. Open areas, no snorts 5. Handball Courts 9. For a park to fit your needs what type of activities would you want to see? Leisure activities - 46 - 10. Do you feel that areas should be dictated to a specific use, i.e. , lawns and flower gardens, benches in one park with sports in another area, etc? _yes x no 11. Should there be more off-street parking in the park areas? X as _No If yes , where: allocated areas 12. What type of park do you feel would be best suited to your area? x Neighborhood park (total areas, courts, etc. ) District park (includes facilities for spectator sports) z Community parks - priority to natural open green apace _Other (i.e. , Zoo, band shell, etc.) 13. Do you feel that it would be worthwhile for the Town to expend more money and resources to Drovide an effective park program? _yes X no Please comment: Examine the uses of the park system program now. Eliminate those programa that are not taken advantage of. Use the funds for these programs to imple- ment programs that would be better utilized. 14. How do you think the parks and town property in general can be improved to better serve the public? Parka are needed where the people are. i.e. , Southeastern and southwestern part of Reading. 15. Additional Comments: The Recreational and Conservation Programs should be intergrated to provide an Open Space Program and Policy for the Town of Reading. S CONSERVATION COMMISSION 52 SANBORN STREET, ROOM 1 �. READING, MASSACHUSETTS 01867 -944=4032- 942-0500 Ext. 44 November 1, 1976 Mr. Roger Louanis, Superintendent Board of Public Works Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Reading, Massachusetts 01867 Dear Mr. Louanis: The Conservation Commission is most pleased that the Department of Public Works has taken the opportunity to conduct a survey concerned with recreational and open space needs. As you are aware, the Commission views the importance of Conservation lands not only for their essential water resource value, retention and recharge, wild-life habitat, and flood control, but also for their open space and recreation value. Recreational endeavors on these lands are "passive" in nature - horse back riding, hiking, gardening, cross country skiing, skating, jogging and similar un-organized activities. The Conservation Commission in its Conservation Plan 1976 ennumerates 'its goals and objectives concerning water resource and environmental pro- tection, conservation education, open space planning, and a conservation land management program. The Conservation Plan is comprehensive in nature and is to be conceived as a segment of the overall planning framework for the Town. Since the concept of "conservation" as included in this Plan is broad in scope and involves programs of overlapping jurisdiction with other agencies of the Town govern- ment, the Commission in its recommendations has eUa¢icaiad Eo t�e nraecr✓afion o� oar !/aEnra! Kelource! Mr. Roger Louanis, Superintendent Page 2 - formulated an action program for the Town, some specifics of which will be best implemented by other departments. The Plan is designated to ensure the proper utilization of all remaining open areas, to take advantage of the economic and social values inherent in Reading's natural resources, and to encourage the type of orderly and proper growth which the Town desires. The Plan, therefore, is a working document, long- range in perspective, whose overall purpose is to protect the health, safety and welfare as well as the quality of life for the citizens of Reading and neighboring communities through proper manage- ment of land, water and other natural resources. The Commission anticipates that the Conservation Plan 1976 will be available by November ninth. However, because of the timelyness of your inquiry, I am enclosing a copy of Section VI, The Plan for the Future, of the Conservation Plan.. This section outlines the Commission's recommendations, imple- mentation and priorities for future actions to aid in the relization of the goals and objectives as outlined in the Plan. The Commission looks forward to future dis- cussions concerning recreation and open space with you and your department. If the Commission can be of any further - -- assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call the office at any time. Sincerely, Y_ �(p l C II nd Lynf1 G. Sfasz Chairperson LGS:sc Enclosure S - 48 - TOWN OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS RECREATION COMMITTEE Snpelntendent p - •..... Q *.. Joan B. P.ccro Ro7enber Y$, 1976 Board of Public Works Beading, Y3assachnsetts Dear Sirs: In a effort to upgrade existing facilities and to create new areas for use as practice areas by various teams., the following projects are considered important by the Recreation Committee. Host of the work is a continuation of projects previously requested by this group. 1. Complete the work started on the skating rink at Birch Feadaw to create more practice areas. Desired completion date- 1978 2. Restore the softball field adjacent to the tennis courts at Birch Meadow. The field would be out of service from fall 1977 to spring 1979. This would seem seem to be a job that the Engineers at Camp Curtis could perform. Upon completion of the work, a temporary fence should be erected around the area to prevent use of the field. Desired completion date - fall 1977. 3. Clean up and landscape the area along the first baseline and behind the backstop at the varsity baseball field. The cleared area is to be used for practice. Desired completion date- 1977. 4. Continue development of the Batchelder property. Desired completion date- 1980. 5. Install lights at the varsity football practice field for recreational purposes. This is dependent on the approval of the School Department. Desired completion date- July 1977. 6. Install a drinking fountain near the tennis courts and adjacent to the right field area at the varsity baseball field. Desired completion date- summer 1977. Very truly yourso -U. aU 5.Tamu.. Donald I. Pierce Chairman, Facilities Subcommittee cc: R. Louanis J. Price - 49 - TOWN OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS 0 RECREATIOM COP,UAITTEE Sterodant .loxiamw U.8. PAcmao November 15, 1976 r ESTINAT'ED FIELD USE - 1977 Profile of groups using fields No. of No. of Group Teams Ages Part.(Est. ) Reading Youth eseball 36 9-12 70 Reading Youth Softball 8 9-12 120 DOES NOT 111CLUDE Senior League Baseball 15 13-15 225 HIGH SCHOOL Pony League Baseball 4 13-15 60 ACTIVITIES American Legion Baseball 1 15-18 15 Recreation Non-Comp. Softball 8 18 plus 60 Recreation Comp. Softball 20 18 plus 300 Reading Pop I.7arner Football 5 9-13 150 - TOTAL 120 January and February-None �. Harch- Birch Hieadow only, other areas- none BIRCH 13=1 1 I-larch weekday afternoons, late and Saturday mornings, weather permitting- high school baseball practice. A ril °eek afternoons, late and Saturday mornings- varsity, j.v., and freshman high school baseball for practice and games at varsity field and other selected areas. Saturday and Sunday with some isolated weekday afternoons- all fields and open areas for practice by Reading Youth Baseball A Softball, Senior League and miscellaneous softball teams. I-lay and Jute lee ays- h school physical education classes at selected areas until mid-June.- Weekday afternoons, late- varsity, i.v., and freshman baseball practice at varsity field and other selected areas until mid-Jute. Weekday nights, Saturdays and some isolated weekday afternoons- Reading Youth Baseball- two softball fields, every night and all day Saturday- �. practice areas every day as available Senior League- S-snday games at the varsity baseoa7l field and practice areas as s7.41 able on week nights. - 50 - Pony League- practice and games at the varsity baseball field ever,,night and Saturdays. Comp. Softball League- weeknights at tuo softball fields including the lighted field for multiple games. July ortiy League- Weekday nights and Saturday for games and practice at varsity field. _ Comp. Softball League- Weekday nights on three softball fields including the lighted field for multiple games. August Coad. Softball League- Weekday nights on three softball fields including the lighted field for multiple games September & October Deaxe—'Sys nigh school physical education classes at selected areas. Weekday afternoons, late- all areas for high school field hockey, j.v., sophomore, freshman football. Weekday nights and Saturday mornings- Pop Warner football, hopefully on the lighted varsity football practice field or on the lighted softball field. November and December- hone HTITT IOMRIAL PARK April- Saturday and Sunday with occasional weekdays for practice games by Reading Yo-u'M Baseball. Slay and June- weeknights, all day Saturday and occasionally Sunday for Reading Yo­u—th—Ta—s-eMl. EATO17 SCHOOL April- Saturday and Sunday with some isolated weekdays for practice by Reading Youth Baseball and Softball. May and June-.weeknights and all day Saturday for Reading Youth Baseball games. July and Auguat- Tion-comp. Softball League for men and woman every weeknight. GIEN SSW _ kpt May and June- Saturdays during April and weeknights during Slay and June forfor pract�a yReading Youth Baseball. Me field is in poor condition and can not be used for games. W_4SMTG;OH PARK aril- Saturday and Sunday for Senior League baseball practice. :tar and June- ,.ee'.-aights, all day Saturday and S,=-day by Senior League for practice and games. - 51 - June and July- American Legion baseball one or two nights per week, SNkMS PAIL{ 3 April I?ay and June- daring April, Saturday and Sunday and during Hay and June, i vreamig is Dy a g Youth Baseball & Softball for practice. September and October- if not at the varsity practice field, Pop Warner will use a couple 01 nights per week. i IMIORIAL PAMi ril 'ay and June- during 11p$il., Saturday and Sunday' and during Nvy and June, week *.afternoons and weeknights by Reading Y=th Baseball. & Softball for games and practice.' COOLIDGE JUIIIOR HIGH April, Hay and June- during April, Saturday and Sunday and during Slap and June by"' n9_rntT+h Baseball & Softball and Corp. Softball League for practice. PATIM JTNIOR HIGH ril, I`ay and June- during April, Saturday and Sunday and during May and June Eby n =ou a baseball, conga. Softball. League, and Senior League gor practice. August- weeknights and Saturday morning by Heading Pop Warner. S - 52 _ RECREATION DEPT. FACILITIES - General Maintenance 3irch Meadow 1. Shack needs to be cleaned out and pa:.nted - door needs to be repaired, lock on door replaced. 2. Sand box repaired - clean sand added 3. Players bench on baseball field needs repair , J 4. Basketball court cleaned up, backboards repainted, rim bent back and nets added 5. Wading pool patched, painted - clean sand, fence straightened (we need this pool for swimming instruction.) 6. Swing standards need to be repainted, chin-up bars straightened and climbing castle cleaned up Washington Park Basketball Court 1. Rims straightened and repainted, courts cleaned up 2. Bar broken on jungle gym .(replace) 3. Chin-up bars replaced - useless now 4. Baseball backstop repaired 5. Wading pool patched, repainted - fence straightened 6. Portion of fence near wadirg pool is not there 7. Storage house - clean out, repainted, door and lock repaired Memorial. 1. Storage house repainted - cleaned (there is a pit behind the storage house that is full of glass - must be cleaned out 2. Sand box needs repair and new sand added 3. Basketball'court cleaned up - rims straightened Sturges —general clean-up of tennis courts and basketball court Barrows 1. General clean-up of tennis courts and basketball court ------------- Drinking fountains at Birch Meadow Softball field - Washington, Memorial and Barrows repaired and water turned on Baseball fields and softball field raked and lined at least twice a week. - 53 - Cuwn ❑f Urabing, fidassari usrtls (411niru,mt £uPrrintrndenl +�uanr 'di. uriurrk Jniin �. �ari:w I. Parks and Playgrounds under the jurisdiction of the Recreation Committee. (A) Barrows - Shelby Rd. Playground equipment, tennis court, basketball court, softball field. (B) Birch I•'eadow Park - Bancroft and Hartshorn Playground equipment, municipal swimming pool, wading pool, lighted softball field , Varsity baseball field , three utility fields , . six lighted tennis courts, a lighted basketball court, lighted ice skating rink. (C) Eaton Playground Playground equipment, two Junior league baseball fields. (D) Hawkes Field House - (Summer, Fall and ''linter evening use ) Rear of Reading High School Four basketball courts, running track, exercise and wrestling rooms. (E) Killam Park - Charles St. near Dana Rd. Playground equipment for Younger children (F) Little League Park - Pleasant and Eaton St. Little Lrague baseball (G) b1emoria,l Park - Charles St. to Salem St. - 54 - LIIlUn IIi i�r&�TI71f, �itgy.lth1t5P115 ,p� `, {.k r4N !f�="��«q�y{fig { r, Lllnirnmu Euprrinlrn0rnl Duane V. i?Pmrrk :1n4n t3_ Varma Playground equipment, two tennis courts , basketball court, picnic grounds, lighted ice skating rink.. (H) Sturgis Park- Walnut. and South St. Playground equipment, tennis court, basketball court, softball - field and lighted ice skating rink. (I) Washington Park- Washington St. off Prescott Varsity baseball field , two tennis courts, basketball court, wading pool, playground equipment II• Recreation Programs for Elementary, Junior and Senior High and Adult. (A) Summer Program Diversified Program including Arts and Crafts, Instructions in Tennis, Swimming, First Aid, Baseball and Football, Organized games and le9gues, Special Events , Trips, Outings, Intercommunity Play days. Volleyball , Kickball , Dodgeball, Horses-:e Pitching, Bowling, Basketball. Story Telling, Singing, Folk dances , Dramatics, Puppets, Teen age Splash parties. Summerthing musical concerts, bike trips and threatre parties. (See specific listings) 1. Arts and Crafts Exhibition - Place , Storefront windew- Second week in August. 2. Arts and Crafts Projects - te'o sessions 2.t each nark and o -^.d. j. Baseball - "-.. July - 55 - �nu7n n`_ ;r��;ttpg. fiiassachusril� 0:1}airn:nu Euprrinfrn�rni i�uanr �_ uriurrk `+Jnfin t�3_ farina 4. Basketball - Clinic Third and Fourth week in July. 5. Basketball - Summer League 6. Basketball - b:on. and Wed. evenings 8 - 10 p.m. 7. Beach trips - arranged on need basis 8. Bike trips - weekends - arranged on need basis 9. Girls ' Sports Hight - 6:30 - Tues. and Thurs - Eaton Park 10. Physical Fitness Swim - mornings- Municipal pool 11. In-service Training Institutes - weekly meetings to discuss plans , policies , events , etc . - Recreation. Office - 8:45 to 9;4$ a.m. Monday mornings. 12. Gymnastics and Teenage Swim - Tues. and Thurs. 6:30 -. 9:00 p.m. Field House and Municipal Pool. 13. Interpark competition - Leagues and tournaments- baseball, basketball , croquet, golf, kickball. 14. Men's Softball. (less competitive ) M,on. and Wed. evenings- Eaton Park - 6:30 p.m. _ , 15. Red Cross Swimming - ' :30 - 1 p.m. at the Municipal Pool 16. Softball League (men) - (19 teams) - sof-,ball fields, 1c,cn. through Thurs. evenings- spring and s,,;=er 17. Special Events - a . Fourth of July Field b. Boston Children's T^eat_-e Stagemobile c. Zoonobile d. Little Red Wagon e . Canobie La.:e tries . . Inter-com.-:unity Oln. pics Baby shot: h. Fair and a r::ival 13Sports Cl'- ' -- . r _r two-week sessions latae Jure , July - 56 - �mun of iSraliug, �iussartiusrlfa Q U Vii},{r,;�au �uPcrinlrndruY f�uttnz �. �ziurrk Jnhu f"�' . �,�atinu 19. Summerthing- Thurs. evenings - 8 to 10:30 P.m.- Coolidge Jr. High School 20. Tennis- Northeastern League - boys and girls 15 and under- matches Tues. afternoon during July and August at Birch Meadow 21. Tennis instructions - Thurs. evenings - Hawkes Field House - 7-9 P•m- 22. Town-wide tennis tournaments 23. Story hours (library building) 24. Dramatics - Buannapowitt Players club house, Community � . Center and individual parks 25. Track events - jogging - Monday evenings at the high school stadium. (B) Fall, Winter and Spring Offerings 1. Unstructured activities in the Field House - basketball, volleyball, exercise - for men and women- Monday-Wednesday and Thursday evenings. 2. Tennis instruction - Field House - Tuesday evenings 3. Adult Basketball League - Field House - 8 teams - Mon. and Thurs evenings - December to April 4. Youth Basketball - Field House - Sundaes_ ^"=r 300 youth- boys and girls - three age groups 5. Special Programs from time to tiae wit"_ :ce Ecs�^n Globe- Pre-season Ski Show, Boston Lobsters- Tennis Clinics - Professional Basketball Clinics . 6. Supervision of the ice skating rinks at Sturgis, C.emcrial and Birch Meadow. — 57 — TOWN OF READING, tVASSACHUSEfTS l r RECREATION COMMITTEE Superintendent 13� ;i. JOE B. PAC O December 139 1975 Board of Public Works Reading, Massachusetts Dear Sire: As is our usual custom, the Recreation Committee would like to present it's request for projects to be undertaken by your Department.. It is becoming increasing clear that our Park facilities are being overused, resulting in the continual deterioration of these areas. Expansion of school programs, further requests from local groups, and new Recreation Department activities further tax these strained facilities. It would be highly d6sireable to enter into some type of land-bank program as soon as possible. In this program, selected areas would be taken out of service, restored, and allowed to grow strong before returning to use. In order to enter into this type of program, more useable land will have to be made available and possibly will require more cooperation from the School Department in use of land under their control. They currently are using large areas of park land, especially at Birch Meadow,for their activities. Theses activities, as much as any other activity, wear out our fields. We, there- fore, feel the School Department should be more receptive to requests for the use of some of their land areas. Your support in this matter is requested. Our projects are laregely directed at making available more useable land to relieve the congestion on existing areas. In many cases, areas used to practice are the hardest hit. Areas for practice do not usually need to be as large as or in as good condition as areas for games. Some of these projects will make available more practice areas. Our requested projects are as follows: 1. Fill in and landscape the skating area at Birch Meadow, including the recreational and hockey areas. The space created could be used for field hockey, soccer, and football. Desired C completion date - 1978. - 58 = ' 2. Clean up and landscape the area along the first base line and behind the backstop at the varsit- baseball field. i The cleared area could be used for field hockey, soccer, and football. Desired completion date - 1977. 3. Continue development of the Batchelder property. Desired completion date - 1980. 4. Relocate the recreational skating area at Birch Meadow. Possible relocation site would be the parking lot across the street from Coolidge Jr. High. Desired completion date - 1977. 5. Install ;lights at the varsity football practice Yield for Pop Warner football. We realize this area is under the control of the School Department and completion of this project is dependent on their approval. This would seem to be an ideal solution to a long standing problem. Desired completion date- 1976. 6. Install a drinking fountain near the tennis courts and adjacent to the right field area at the varsity baseball field. Desired completion date - 1976. Requests for general maintenance will be made in the Spring after an inspection of facilities. An inspection made during the Fall found maintenance to generally be good. I would appreciate an opportunity to be present when these items are discussed at your budget meeting in order to reinforce our position on these projects. Very truly yours, Donald I. Pierce Chairman Facilities Subcommittee cc: P. Dustin R. 7,ouanis - 59 - J r. ... . Nr. Ronald Winslow 1'.arch 12, 1976 Charles G. Symonds, Jr. 4. � .. . Athletic Fields, Spring 1976 and Future Projections (keyed to June, 1975 tarp) . Our use of athletic fields for spring, 1976 is as it has been in past years, with the exception of the addition of freshman girls' softball, played on an intramural basis. This team would utilize the football practice field (area 2) unMI 4:00, at which tine the boys' track, javelin and discus people would use the field art Field Baseball: V) 7 and Washington Park JV) Fr. 11 Softball: V 8 JV 10 Fr.(Intratct l) 2 up to 11:00 Track: Boys' Oval and 2 after 4:00 Girls' Oval Golf: Varsity Our long-range projections for fields are made in regard to the addition and probable expansion of soccer in the fall and the e:cpansion of girls' soft- ball oftball to a freshman tear. in the spring. For the next soccer seasoni (fal.l), we plan to utilize the Parker Junior- - High School area to run practices and hold gage- Ve would.prefer to utilize a field area more approximate to the 1-2,-_h school in future years. The area required for a soccer pro ran of various levels (varsity, junior varsity and freshmen) should include two field spaces, each fro:a 50 ydsx 100 yds to 70 yds x 120 yds in size. Freshman softball would need a sui.'csblc field space for practice and play in spring. (The football practice fic'_d is not a suitable long-tcrm solution (bie to the condition of field s:_,,n football). This team could utilize that sane now sodeer field arca for Flay and practice in spring. Our projoetion for field use follow: AUTT Snort Field Football: V 2 JV 2 Soph. 2 Fr. 3 Soccer: G o:r Fall 176 llew Rbt!ld:? - JV FcrOar) F - -- Uoi-. Fiel.da Cross Country- V 01va IV — 60 — 0,c1 To: Mr. Eomild Winslow -2- Barth 12, 1976 1� 5211 - cont'd \' Snort Field Field Hockey: V 5 JV 5 Fr. 6 SPRIPIG Baseball: V) Vashin.,ton ?ark J'V) and 7 Fr. 4 Softball: V 6 JV 10 Fr. New Field- (sane as fall soccer) Track: Boys' Oval and 2 Girls' Oval Golf: ---- GGS:cs cc: Ara farakashian lfalter Haw'.tes Jack Unite i - 61 - Spring 1976 Varsity Baseball Boys Varsity Track comb'd Boys Freshman Track `` April 12 Concord May 18 @ Woburn April 29 Wakefiel 13 @ Somerville 22 League @ Stoneham May 7 @ Belmon 14 @ Lexington 25 Stoneham 14 @ Burling 19 @ Melrose 10 a.m. 29 State Trials 21 Melrose 21 @ Woburn 10 a.m. 31 Class Finale 24 Stoneham 23 @ Watertown 10 a.m. 28 League at 26 Belmont Stoneham 28 @ Winchester Boys ' Tennis 30 Burlington Apr.27 Wakefield Golf May 3 Wakefield 29 @ Lexington 5 @ Stoneham 7 Lexington May 4 Melrose Apr. 26 @ Wakefield 10 Melrose 6 @ Woburn 29 Stoneham 12 Woburn 12 @ Watertown May 3 @ Lexington 14 Watertown 14 @ Belmont 6 Watertown 17 @ Belmont 17 Winchester 10 @ Woburn 19 Winchester 19 @ Burlington 13 Winchester 21 @ Burlington 25 @ Burlington 17 @ Melrose 24 @ Wakefield 20 Belmont 26 Stoneham Girls ' Tennis 24 State Playoff 31 All Stars at Watertown Apr .27 @ Wakefield Varsity Softball 29 Lexington Boys ' FreshmanB 1 April 19 @ Belmont 10 a.m. May 4 @ Melrose Apr. 27 Melrose 21 Winchester 10 a.m. 6 Woburn 30 @ Wakefi d 23 @ Burlington 10 a.m. 14 Belmont May 4 @ Belmont 27 @ Wakefield 17 @ Winchester 7 Burlington 29 Lexington 19 Burlington 11 @ Stoneham 25 Stoneham 15 @ Melrose 1i May 4 Melrose @ 12 Watertown 18 Wakefield 6 Woburn 21 Belmont 10 @ Stoneham Girls ' Varsity Track - 25 @ Burlington 12 Watertown 28 Stoneham 14 Belmont Apr.20 @ Wakefield 10a.m. Jne 3 Melrose 17 @ Winchester 24 State Relays 4 @ Wakefield 19 Burlington 30 @ Watertown 21 Wakefield May 4 Burlington 25 Stoneham 6 Melrose Watertown E Belmont vs _ 8 State Track Bo2g arsity Track 11 Lexington April 20 Wakefield 10 a.m. 18 @ Belmont 24 State Relays 19 Woburn 27 @ Winchester 25 @ Stoneham 30 Watertown 29 _ May 4 Burlington @ 6 @ Melrose 8 State Track Coaches 11 @ Lexington 13 Belmont 15 Andover Inv. - 62 -