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Home My WebLink About2020-04-27 Recreation Committee Minutes - Birch Meadow Working Group AC T ';Y I A landscape archltectu re' E �I�mfr�{e�ina 4 MEETING NOTES 4 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 Fiorente, 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 Webberly, Reading Lacrosse Stephen Crisafulli,Activitas Roy Sletierink, Reading Babe Ruth Mark Novak, Activitas Jeff Pierce, Reading Babe Ruth Alex Briggs, Activitas Distribution: All Present --i9 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 for easier reference and interpretation. DISCUSSION ITEM NO. ACTION ITEM(New items in Bdic$) BY/DUE 1.1.01 PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS 1.1.01.❑ Prior to the shareholders conference calls on April 27th and 28m, a list of questions with various topics regarding needs and wants for 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 aatl,t."aom 70 Milton Street I Dedham, Massachusetts 1 02026-2915 17811 326-2600 Meeting Notes 22 ApTI 2020 Town at Reading-B,,oh Meadow Ma,tar Plan Shoreholaem Intellews Page 2 of 1 I ITEM NO. ACTION I ITEM Mew Hems in italics) 8T/DUE • Reading Lacrosse (Represented by Chuck Webberly) o Many of the fields for 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) for recreation • Reading Little League (Represented by Mike Wondolowski) o Uses all of Birch Meadow complex (lives inclose proximity) o Turf 2 field for Saturday Night Lights program with family o Only area that is NOT used is Castine Field • Reading Softball Little League (Represented by Larry Hurley) o Only really 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 inclose proximity to Birch Meadow I.1.02.b QUESTION 2: What portions of Birch Meadow does your organisation 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 Little League o Majors Field for older age groups o Little League noted there are 4 other fields in Town that are aclivltas.com 70 Milton Street I Dedham. Massochusetts 1 02026-2915 17811 326-2600 Mosong Notes 27 Apnl 2020 Town of Reading-Birch Meadow Master Plan Shareholders Interviews Page 3 of 11 ITEM NO. ACTION I ITEM Maw Hems in Halics) BY/DUE used as well o Batting cages are used a lot for batting practice o Tournaments are held on Morton Field • Reading Softball Little 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 Cosine Field is used as overflow space, not used on daily basis o Tennis courts used daily during tennis season o Marching bond 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 forage specific practices, 3-4 teams can practice in one spot for younger groups o Very open and good grass space o Stadium and portable lights are helpful • Babe Ruth Baseball o Close proximity of fields • Reading Little 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 Softball Little League o Having 3 fields in the complex acflvltas.com 70 Millon street I Dedham, Massachusetts 1 02026-2915 1781) 326-2600 Meeting Notes 27 And 2020 Town of Reading-Birch Meadow Master Plon Shareholders interviews Page a of 11 ITEM NO. ACTION I ITEM(Ni items in ffdl BY/DUE o Older kids can utilize lighted field for later games/practice • Reading High School o Stadium for big games o 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 entrance 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 Little 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 activltas cum 70 Milton street I Nedra m, Massachusetts 1 02026-2915 17811 326-2600 Meeting Notes 27 Apn12020 Town of Reading-Birch Meadow Mastbl Plan Shareholders Interviews Page 5 of I I ITEM NO. I ACTION ITEM(New'Hems in Bdic•) 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 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 1.1.02.e QUESTION 5:What could be improved upon In the complex? ANSWERS: • Reading Soccer o More parking o Castine 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 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 Little League o Some wasted space between and around fields that Mike acflvltas.com 70 Milton 51teet I Dedham. Massachusetts 1 02026-2915 11811 326-2600 Marl,Nates 27 ApU 2020 TOwn of RBOdnB—BIrah Me.g.w Masf¢(Plan shareholders Interviews Page 6 of 11 ITEM NO. ACTION ITEM Mew Bem•in ild¢e) BY/DUE thinks could be utilized better • Reading SoHball Little 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 of 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.f 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 ALD units and is willing to let everyone use them. The only ask would be forpermanent 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 ac t lv l t a s.c 0m 71 M11fon sheet I Dedham, Massaahuletll 1 02026-2915 (7811 326-2600 Meet,Notes 27 Apn12020 Town of Reading-Birch Meadow Master Plan Shareholders Interviews Page 7 of 11 ITEM NO. ACTION I ITEM(Ni items in italics) 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 ployability 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 So%ball UHIe 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 High 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 I.1.02.g 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 activltavcom 70 Milton Street I Dedham, Massachusetts 1 02026-2915 17811 326-2600 Meeting Note3 27 April 2020 Town of Reading—Birch Meadow Master Plan shareholders InterNews Page 8 of I I ITEM NO. ACTION ITEM Mew items In Halts) BY/DUE o Addition of lacrosse wall. Chuck noted that a large portion of the wall was internally funded by an 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 Majors Field • Reading Sotlball Little League o Drainage improvements would be biggest want o Conversion from grass to turf fields TT 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 Additional parking I.1.02.h QUESTION 8:What is your long-term vislon (10+years)for Birch Meadow? ANSWERS: • Reading Soccer o Better lighting-Youth program potentially willing to help financially? o Possible skatepark orplayground could replace portion of Imagination Station parking o Better utilization of space for youth programs o Additional turf fields while preserving and improving a coil vi tas.coof 70 Milton Street I Dedham, Massachusetts 1 02026-2915 7811 326-2600 Meeting Notes 27 Aps 2020 Town of Reading-Birch Meadow Master Plan Shareholders Interviews Page 9 of 11 i NO. ACTION ITEM(New hems In Italics) BY/DUE couple of grass fields • Reading Lacrosse o Would like more turf fields to allow for 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 grass field will not be maintained by the Town and will degrade quickly • Reading Lilfle 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 UHIe 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 I.1.02.1 QUESTION 9:Other questions, concerns,comments,or suggestions? ANSWERS: • Reading Soccer o Costine 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 acC"1.s.com 70 Milton Street I Dedham, Massachusetts 1 02026-2915 (7811 326-2600 Meefing Notes 27 All 2020 Town of Reading—Birch Meadow Master Plan shareholders Interviews Page 10 of 11 ITEM NO. ACTION ITEM Mew Mems in Ni BY/DUE 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 LIfRe 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 Softball LIfRe 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 activifas.com 70 Milton Street I Dedham. Massachasetts 1 02026-2915 17811 326-2600 Meeting Notes 27 APn12020 Town of Reading-Birch Meadow Master Plan Shareholders Interviews Page I I of I I ITEM NO. ACTION ITEM(New Bents in ridics) BY/DUE the basis that these items are agreed to by all parties. Respectfully, ACTIVITAS i �6* Alex Briggs Civil Designer aeb@activilas.com .at lvi t.,.rh 70 Milton Street I Dedha, Massachusetts 1 02026-2915 17811 326-2600