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Florence Recreation Fields CPA App COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PROJECT APPLICATION COVER SHEET I: Project Information Project Title: Florence Recreation Fields Project Summary: The Recreation Commission would like to continue to develop the Florence Recreation Fields on Meadow St. in Florence. The project includes five multi-purpose fields, two baseball fields, a play structure, concession/bathroom/storage building, and parking areas. Estimated start date: __January 2012__ Estimated completion date: May 2014 CPA Program Area (check all that apply): � Open Space � Historic Preservation � Community Housing X Recreation II: Applicant/Developer Information Contact Person and or/primary applicant: Ann-Marie Moggio, City of Northampton Recreation Director Property Owner (if applicable): City of Northampton Organization (if applicable): Northampton Recreation Commission Mailing Address: 90 Locust St., Northampton, MA 01060 Daytime phone #: 587-1040 Fax #: 587-1045 E-mail address & Website: amoggio@northamptonma.gov; www.northamptonma.gov/recreation III: Budget Summary Total budget for project: $2,261,300 CPA funding request: $2,261,300 *see application details regarding grants CPA request as percentage of total budget: 100% *see application details regarding grants Applicant’s Signature: Ann-Marie Moggio Date Submitted: September 6, 2011 Project Narrative – Florence Recreation Fields The project will create and improve Florence Recreation Fields, located on Meadow Street in Florence. Previous CPA funding helped fund the purchase of the land, the recreation area design, and the start of the improvements. The Master Plan was created during an intensive community participatory process with extensive outreach and multiple public forums. The finished project will include five multi- purpose playing fields and two baseball fields, along with a concession/storage/bathroom facility, play structure, pavilion and parking areas. The first phase of the project is to begin this Fall, with the start of the trail along the road, and some infrastructure work. The bid cost for this phase was received at a cost 40% lower than estimated allowing optional alternatives to be funded as well. The recreation department’s need for more playing fields has been well documented. There is a great demand for fields for many sports, including soccer, baseball, softball, flag football, lacrosse, and field hockey. More than twenty leagues consisting of over 3,600 players compete to play or practice on current city fields. There are hundreds of children and adults who are frequently not able to practice or play with their teams due to the shortage of available fields. This project is critical to the City’s focus on public health through active living. Based on the need for the project to be completed so that fields will be available as soon as possible, and on the fact that construction costs are presently down, the Recreation Commission has concluded that now is the time to get the project done in its entirety. Project Addresses Community Preservation Criteria: This project will support multiple recreation activities. It will:  Enhance the quality of life for thousands of Northampton residents.  Serve residents of all ages.  Serve a significant number of residents.  Expand the range of recreational opportunities available to Northampton residents.  Benefit conservation and recreational facilities.  Enhance the appreciation of the outdoors. This park area will provide recreation resources within walking distance of one of the  largest Environmental Justice neighborhoods in the City: Florence Heights. The Florence Fields will be located at a site that is almost the exact geographic center of  Northampton, providing the best location in the City for walking, biking, and short driving access to the largest number of people whose needs are not already met by existing recreation areas. This park area will address many recommendations contained in the Northampton Open  Space, Trails and Recreation Plan. Florence Recreation Fields - Page 1 of 6 The Northampton Open Space, Recreation and Multi-Use Trail Plan 2011-2018 makes the following recommendations: ACTIONS (page 4) “Improve recreation areas to serve active recreation needs” ACTIONS (page 160) Recreation Improvements “Florence Fields Recreation: In 2010, the City closed on the new Florence Fields, on Meadow Street in Florence. PARC and CPA funding is available for the start of construction in 2011, with the development of an eventual seven fields to be developed in 2012 and beyond, dependent on funding. Developing the entire recreation area, consistent with the 2010 Berkshire Design Master Plan, is the top recreation priority for the City.” GOALS (page 141) “Provide Northampton residents with a wide variety of active and passive recreation opportunities” “Help encourage healthy life styles through active and passive recreation” “Encourage alternative transportation through and for active and passive recreation” LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT Goal LU-2 (page 146) Create and preserve high quality, built environments in the downtown and village centers Goal LU-3 (page 147) Maintain a distinction between rural areas, residential neighborhoods, and urban areas Goal LU-4 (page 147) Preserve and encourage agricultural uses in designate areas, such as the Meadows ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE PROTECTION Goal EEC-4 (page 148) Minimize the impacts of infrastructure systems on environmental resources Goal EEC-5 (page 149) Safeguard and improve the quality of the City’s surface waters to ensure use for safe public swimming, recreational fishing activities, boating, drinking OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION Goal OS-1 (page 149) Maximize use of the City’s open space and recreation areas Goal OS-2 (page 149) Expand open space and recreation areas Goal OS-3 (page 150) Preserve natural and cultural resources and the environment Goal OS-4 (page 150) Provide open space connections between public places Florence Recreation Fields - Page 2 of 6 HERITAGE AND HISTORIC RESOURCES Goal HR-1 (page 150) Protect and preserve the City’s heritage resources OBJECTIVES (page 152, 153) “Opportunities for new or expanded connections to existing trail networks for alternative transportation, walking, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and other recreational opportunities.” “Public access to water, including recreational access to the waterfront.” “Opportunity for a safe, useable, and accessible park and recreation space.” “Opportunity for affordable and accessible spectator and participatory events.” Long Term Preservation  The property is owned by the City of Northampton, through the Recreation Commission, which provides for Article 97 protection, and will be subject to a conservation restriction held by a nonprofit conservation organization. Project has Community Support  This project has broad community support, including a multitude of Northampton sport leagues, the Recreation Commission, Recreation Department, Office of Planning and Development as well as the Mayor, all who have identified the critical need for more recreation fields. Success Factors  The construction and usage of the facility by the Community. Maintenance  A fundraising group has been formed and has been meeting to define maintenance costs, identify alternative sources of funding, and to plan fundraising events. It is hoped that an endowment fund will be set up to assist with maintenance costs.  Discussions have begun with local non-profits and contractors regarding maintenance issues.  A combination of city maintenance, sports leagues users, and contractors will maintain the fields. Florence Recreation Fields - Page 3 of 6 Project Budget- Full Phase 3  The total estimated cost for the remainder of the project, Full Phase 3, is $2,261,000. This would complete the project in its entirety. We are requesting bonding authority for this entire amount to allow full planning and design to move forward, provide a commitment to the project, and increase the likelihood of future state (PARC) and federal (urban parks and land and water conservation fund) funding.  It is a fact that construction bids have come in lower than estimated, with a 40% lower cost than estimated in the current construction phase at the fields. We believe that the funding and building of the entire project at once, rather than in more phases, will help to further reduce the estimated cost.  Phase 1 and 2 included CPA monies for the acquisition of the entire Bean and Allard properties, as well as $257,000 total to apply for the maximum PARC grant available. The Recreation Commission has a State PARC grant application pending for o $500,000. The grant announcement is usually in October or November. If the PARC grant is received, that money would be returned to the CPA. This would apply to any grants we are applying for. As other grants are received, those monies would also be returned to CPA. We also anticipate another round of PARC grant next year that we would be o eligible to apply for. Opinion of Probable Cost, prepared by the Berkshire Design Group, Inc…………….……$2,261,300 Five multi-purpose fields, two baseball fields, playground, restroom/concession/storage building, pavilion, parking areas. (see master plan) Includes but not limited to earthwork & site preparation, site drainage, utilities, site furnishings, playground, field improvements such as fencing, gates, etc., and planting and seeding. See attachment for detailed budget estimate. Project Timeline January 2012-May 2014 Permitting: Winter 2012 Construction 2012 – 2013. Full funding is required, however, to allow a construction contract to be signed. Florence Recreation Fields - Page 4 of 6 Feasibility The project is allowed by right under Northampton Zoning. Permits required: Planning Board Site Plan Approval is required, but while the board has enormous discretion on the details, they do not have the right to deny the project. Conservation Commission Wetlands Approval is required, but the regulations are very transparent and approval, again subject to condition, is non-discretionary when the regulations are complied with. The site is floodplain but not wetlands. Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act: project is currently under MEPA thresholds. Maps, Feasibility Study The Florence Recreation Fields Master Plan and the City of Northampton’s Feasibility Study for Playing Fields are enclosed. 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