HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-27 Birch Meadow Working Group Minutes ACTIVITAS
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MEETING NOTES
Subject: Birch Meadow Shareholders Interviews
Project: Town of Reading-Birch Meadow Master Plan
Project No. 20009.00
Issue Date: 5 May 2020
Meeting Date: 27 and 28 April 2020
Prepared By: Alex Briggs,Civil Designer
Attendees: Genevieve Forente, Recreation Mike Wondolowski, Reading Little League
Ryan Percival, Engineering Larry Hurley, Reading Softball Little League
Wayne Sheedy, Reading Youth Soccer Tom Zaya, High School Athletics
Chuck Webbedy, Reading Lacrosse Stephen Crisafulli, Activitas
Roy Sletterink, Reading Babe Ruth Mark Novak. Activitas
Jeff Pierce, Reading Babe Ruth Alex Briggs,Activitas
Distribution: All Present
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GENERAL
1.0.01 The following Meeting Notes are compiled from scheduled shareholders
meetings with the Town of Reading youth sport organizations,Town of Reading
(TOR) and Activitas, (ACT) for the Birch Meadow Master Plan Project.
1.0.02 The items and comments are not listed in order of the discussion,but are grouped
by topic far easier reference and interpretation.
DISCUSSION
ITEM NO. ACTION I ITEM(New items in itolics)
BY/DUE
1.1.01 PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS
1.1.01.0 Prior to the shareholders conference calls on April 27th and 28m, a list of
questions with various topics regarding needs and wants far the Birch
Meadow complex was sent out to each youth organization user.Below
are the questions and respective answer from each sports group.
1.1.02 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1.1.02.0 QUESTION 1:What portions of Birch Meadow do you use personally!
• ANSWERS:
• Reading Soccer(Represented by Wayne Sheedy)
o Occasional use on the weekends with family
activitas.com 70 Milton Street I Dedham, Massachusetts 1 02026-2915 (7811 326-2600
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ITEM NO. ACTION I INN,IN..items in grecs)
BY/DUE
• Reading Lacrosse (Represented by Chuck Webberly)
o Many of the fields far recreation purposes
o Castine Field during the winter to ice skate with family
o Tennis wall for lacrosse practicing
• Babe Ruth Baseball(Represented by Roy Sletterink and Jeff Pierce)
o Mainly baseball field(Morton) forrecreation
• Reading URIe League (Represented by Mike Wondolowski)
o Uses all of Birch Meadow complex(lives in close proximity)
o Turf 2 field for Saturday Night Lights program with family
o Only area that is NOT used is Costine Field
• Reading SoBball UHIe League (Represented by Larry Hurley)
o Only realty uses Softball fields
o Used Castine Field in the past before drainage issues
• Reading High School(Represented by Tom Zaya)
o Used fields growing up in close proximity to Birch Meadow
1.1.02.b QUESTION 2:What portions of Birch Meadow does yow organization use?
ANSWERS:
• Reading Soccer
o Field space for Spring and Fall seasons,little to no use for
Summer
o Utilizes Castine (when dry), Turf 2,and the Stadium Fields
o Right now,portable lights are being used for night
practices/games
• Reading Lacrosse
o Almost all of complex aside from Castine Field due to poor
field conditions
• Babe Ruth Baseball
o Varsity baseball Field(Morton)
o Batting cages
o Containers for storing equipment
• Reading LNHe League
o Majors Field for older age groups
o Little League noted there are 4 other fields in Town that are
activitas.com 70 Milton Street I Dedham, Massachusetts 1 02026-2915 I181I 326-2600
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ITEM NO. ACTION ITEM(Now Bems in Rem)
BY/DUE
used as well
o Batting cages are used a lot for batting practice
o Tournaments are held on Morton Field
• Reading Softball LBfte League
o Softball fields exclusively
o Used Costine Field in the past before drainage issues
• Reading High School
o School sports uses almost every field(total of 26 varsity
teams(
o Castine Field is used as overflow space, not used on dairy
basis
o Tennis courts used dairy during tennis season
o Marching band uses fields to practice
1.1.02.c QUESTION 3:What about the Birch Meadow complex works well?
ANSWERS:
• Reading Soccer
o Great for organized sports
o A lot of open area for people to roam and spectate
different games
o Close proximity to the high school
• Reading Lacrosse
o Great spot for age specific practices,3-4 teams can
practice in one spot for younger groups
o Very open and good gross space
o Stadium and portable lights are helpful
• Babe Ruth Baseball
o Close proximity of fields
• Reading LIHIe League
o Nice gathering area for community
o Many sports can be going on atone time
o Fields are all within a short walking distance
• Reading Solfball Lflfte League
o Having 3 fields in the complex
activitas.com 70 Milton Street I Dedham, Massochvsefts 1 02026-2915 11811 326-2600
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ITEM NO. ACTION ITEM(Now Nems M Basics)
BY/DUE
o Older kids can utilize lighted field for later games/practice
• Reading High School
o Stadium for big games
a Having all fields in one general location
o Lighting at Stadium and Turf 2
o Cooperation between youth groups and high school
programs for field time
1.1.02.d QUESTION 4: What about the Birch Meadow complex does not work?
ANSWERS:
• Reading Soccer
o Not enough parking
o Delineation of lines for the fields are unclear
o Lack of storage and some equipment is being vandalized
because of it
• Reading Lacrosse
o More lighting would be even more helpful-Behind
Coolidge?
o More turf fields-Behind Coolidge?
o No lacrosse wall to practice
o Delineation of lines for the fields are unclear
• Babe Ruth Baseball
o Not enough storage close to the field
o No enhance way from left field side of park
o Lack of formal restroom building
o No flagpole for national anthem
o Electrical deficiencies for PA system and scoreboard
o Lack of electrical outlets near fields
o Lack of fan barrier at dugouts
o No handicap access into dugouts
• Reading Lifhe League
o Poor drainage at fields and fields are often wet
o Not enough room around the exterior of the fields to
circulate from field to field
o Poor parking capabilities
o Limited spectator areas
octivitos.com 70 Milton Street I Dedham, Massachusetts 1 02026-2915 17811 326-2600
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ITEM NO. ACTION ITEM(New Rem,in ifdin)
BY/DUE
• Reading Softball Little League
o Drainage around the fields is an issue-lighted field has
been an issue the past few years
o Lack of dugouts
• Reading High School
o Parking for large event works but could be improved upon
o Gross gets degraded quickly in Spring
o Maintenance of grass fields in a lot of work-turf would be
beneficial
o Storage area is not adequate for all programs(high school
and youth) to store equipment. There is no storage outside
of the main school building for everyday equipment
I.1.02.e QUESHON 5: What could be improved upon in the complex?
ANSWERS:
• Reading Soccer
o More parking
o Costine Field improvements in order to be used regularly
o Delineation of all fields for clarity of space
o Additional lighting for fields
• Reading Lacrosse
o Addition of lacrosse wall is the top priority
o Additional lighting for later practices/games
o Additional turf fields
• Babe Ruth Baseball
o Not enough storage close to the field
o No entrance way from left field side of park
o Lack of formal restroom building
o No flagpole for national anthem
o Electrical deficiencies far PA system and scoreboard
o Lack of electrical outlets near fields
o Lack of fan barrier at dugouts
o No handicap access into dugouts
• Reading Little League
o Some wasted space between and around fields that Mike
acflvltas.com 70 Milton Street I Dedham. Massachusetts 1 02026-2915 (781) 326-2600
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ITEM NO. ACTION I ITEM Mew Hams M HWcs)
BY/WE
thinks could be utilized better
• Reading SoRbail Li1Re League
o Drainage around the fields is an issue-lighted field has
been an issue the past few years
o Lack of dugouts
o Better lighting system at existing lighted field
• Reading High School
o Parking for large event works but could be improved upon
o Grass gets degraded quickly in Spring
o Maintenance of grass fields in a lot of work-turf would be
beneficial
o Storage area is not adequate for all programs(high school
and youth) to store equipment. There is no storage outside
of the main school building for everyday equipment.
o Lighting system at the stadium field is outdated and could
be updated. Tom would like better lighting for security
purposes outside of the field.
o Sometimes fields get used outside of a certain groups
schedule
1.1.02.E TOR QUESTION 6:What amenities or facilities are unmet and could be added to
the park?
ACT/
NV5 ANSWERS:
• Reading Soccer
o A permanent restroom facility would be ideal
o Additional lighting for fields
o Additional storage on-site for equipment
• Reading Lacrosse
o A bathroom building
o Better storage facility for equipment
o Program recently purchased 2 AED units and is willing to let
everyone use them. The only ask would be for permanent
installation to be provided by others.
o Cellular phone service is poor. TOR noted they are aware
and are in discussions with cellular providers to help the
service strength
• Babe Ruth Baseball
octivitos.com 70 Milton Street I Dedham, Massachusetts 1 02026-2915 (781) 326-2600
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ITEM NO. ACTION ITEM(N.w Nxsa M Nagel)
BY/DUE
o Additional storage closer to field for maintenance and
team equipment
o Turf field in lieu of grass. Maintenance crew is not sure how
long they will continue to volunteer to groom field
o Field lighting ONLY if field was converted to turf.
Maintenance is concerned about playability of grass field is
more activities are added with additional lights
• Reading Little League
o Additional storage that Is easy to access and close to the
field
o Formal bathroom facilities
o Lighting would be a great benefit-all of their fields
currently lack lighting
o Concessions building
o Small amount of space for dog park
• Reading Softball Little League
o Having fields properly maintained by TOR DPW
o A small addition to storage space but not crucial
o Dugouts
o Lights for Street Field
• Reading Nigh School
o Formal restroom buildings would be great addition. Tom
and TOR noted that a further discussion would need to
happen to decide who would maintain the building
o Costine Field drainage improvement to make field playable
would add much needed extra field space
o Add scoreboard and dugouts at lighted softball field
o Revamping of ropes course
1.1.02.8 QUESTION 7:What are the key outcomes you would like to see come from
this planning process?
ANSWERS:
• Reading Soccer
o Continuing to improve community atmosphere for the
complex
o Improvement of division of fields
• Reading Lacrosse
activitas.com 70 Milton Street I Dedham, Massachusetts 1 02026-2915 (781) 326-2600
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ITEM NO. ACTION ITEM(New Hems in iblics)
BY/DUE
o Addition of lacrosse wall. Chuck noted that a large portion
of the wall was internally funded by on athlete's parent and
would like the wall installed soon before the donation is
pulled
o Wants to have start time on Sundays be earlier to get more
games as well as push the night games to 10 PM.The TOR
noted that the time changes would need to be run by the
Recreation Committee to vote on
• Babe Ruth Baseball
o Additional entrances to complex and to allow for ease of
flow from field to field
o Additional storage for equipment for Babe Ruth and also
high school baseball
• Reading Little League
o Running/walking path through complex
o Potential roofing addition to dugouts at Malars Field
• Reading Softball Little League
o Drainage improvements would be biggest want
o Conversion from gross to turf fields
o Additional lighting to other 2 fields
• Reading High School
o Making the complex more inviting by adding paths and
additional access points
o Facilities would be more usable with additional lighting
o Additionalparking
1.1.02.h QUESTION 8:What is your long-term vision (10+years)for Birch Meadow?
ANSWERS:
• Reading Soccer
o Better lighting-Youth program potentially willing to help
financially?
o Possible skatepark or playground could replace portion of
Imagination Station parking
o Better utilization of space for youth programs
o Additional turf fields while preserving and improving a
activitas.com 70 Milton Street I Dedham, Massachusetts 102D26-2915 1781) 326-2600
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ITEM NO. ACTION ITEM(N.Hems In Belles)
BY/DUE
couple of grass fields
• Reading Lacrosse
o Would like more turf fields to allow far my playing time and
less maintenance
o More lighting
• Babe Ruth Baseball
o Conversion of field from grass to turf. Roy(head of field
maintenance crew) does not believe once his crew stops
working on the field the gross field will not be maintained by
the Town and will degrade quickly
• Reading Little League
o More a park feel with walkways and meeting areas
between fields
o Mike noted that a potential Baseball/Softball complex
somewhere else in Town would be nice of the high school
would ever want to maximize their presence in the Birch
Meadow complex
• Reading Softball Little League
o Would like to have the 3 fields maintained properly by Town
o Lights would help with Spring and Fall seasons
o Addition of formal bathrooms
o Possibility of concessions stand/building?
• Reading High School
o Making the complex more inviting by adding paths and
additional access points
1.1.02.1 QUESTION 9:Other questions, concems, comments,or suggesttons9
ANSWERS:
Reading Soccer
o Castine field is high priority to become usable for more
flexibility
• Reading Lacrosse
o Chuck asked if the lights could possibly be turned on/off by
activifas.com 70 Mllfon Sfreet I Dedham, Massachusetts 102026-2915 (781) 326-2600
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ITEM NO. ACTION I ITEM Mew Ilemt M Italics)
BY/WE
someone other than TOR members. TOR noted that that is
not possible and coaches cannot have this ability
• Babe Ruth Baseball
o The Babe Ruth group would like to be involved in the design
phase of the master plan.ACT and the TOR take no
exception to this
• Reading Little League
o Noted that the basketball court could use a facelift
o would like to have more trees and vegetation put around
fields that lack them
• Reading SoBball Li1Be League
o Backstop improvements if work is done on fields-backstops
are not tall enough for foul balls
• Reading High School
o Lacrosse wall would be great addition to high school and
youth program
o Pickleball court addition would be nice
o Additional tennis courts would be plus-all six courts are
being used to maximum capacity
o Relocating of old bleachers from Turf 2 project
1.1.02 NEXT STEPS
1.1.02.a ACT will begin pulling together a site analysis plan to convey the
opportunities and constraints of the project limits.ACT urged all
shareholders to continue to send information they feel may be pertinent to
the design of the master plan in order to cover all aspects of everyone's
needs and wants.
NEXT MEETING
1.2.01 The next meeting is anticipated sometime in May.ACT will coordinate
a date and time with the TOR.
The preceding meeting notes represent our understanding of the information exchanged. Please
notify us of any misunderstandings or required interpretations, within five days,as we will proceed on
aatN1tas.com 70 Milton Street I Dedham, Massachusetts 1 02026-2915 1781) 326-2600
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REM NO. ACTION I NEM Mew Items In ffai
BY/DUE
the basis that these items are agreed to by all parties.
Respectfully,
ACT I V I TAS
00
Alex Briggs
Civil Designer
aeb^activitazcom
activitos.com 70 Milton Street I Dedham, Massachusetts 1 02026-2915 0811 326-2600