taaffee maines support.docxOctober 14, 2024
Northampton CPA Committee
c/o Sarah LaValley
210 Main St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Dear CPA Committee,
I am writing to express my passionate support for the proposed Flood Resilience Plan for Maines Field Park. As a Northampton resident and a frequent user of Maines Field, I know firsthand
how crucial this park is to our City. For 20 years, I have played softball there with my coed team, the Burglars. Over the years, our team spawned several mens teams that also depend
on this field. I've also played many pick up games of volleyball on the sand courts next to it. I've also celebrated birthdays, anniversaries and the passing of friends in the pavilion.
This park also has the only lighted softball field in town that's available to residents. Games are played there three seasons a year, mens and coed. The pavilion offers families, groups
and friends an inexpensive place to gather. The only sand volleyball courts in town offer us a fun recreational activity. Throughout the day, people walk the trails along the river,
often with their dogs. Sometimes, I see a big band rehearsing in the Pavilion, while my team plays softball. This park is full of life! It is important to the residents of this town.
For over 75 years, Maines Field has been a wonderful space for recreation, socialization, and connection with nature. However, recent flooding has severely impacted these essential community
resources.
Alas, extensive flooding caused the park to be closed for over a year in 2023-2024. This not only disrupted recreational activities but also affected the mental and physical well-being
of many community members. The loss of access to these facilities, particularly the walking trails, sports field, volleyball courts and picnic areas, was a loss deeply felt by all who
rely on the park as a place for exercise, stress relief, and time spent with friends in a beautiful park.
For those of us who play softball, it meant playing on children's fields, like Sheldon and JFK. These fields are too small for adult players. The shortened distance between the batter's
box and the pitcher's mound puts players at increased risk of serious injury. I've seen players get seriously hurt when the ball comes at them, with insufficient time to protect themselves.
The larger, Maines Field, is far more appropriate and safer for adult softball.
The proposed Flood Resilience Plan is a critical step toward ensuring that the entire park can continue to serve as a safe, welcoming, and resilient space for the community,
regardless of future weather events. This plan will help protect the park’s infrastructure. Implementing flood mitigation measures, improving drainage, and creating more sustainable
features are essential in reducing the park's vulnerability to future flooding, ensuring that it remains accessible to all.
From family picnics and sports leagues to casual walks along the river and events at the pavilion, Maines Field Park is a hub for recreation and social interaction. Restoring these facilities
will help preserve the vitality and sense of belonging the park provides to our diverse community.
Investing in a Flood Resilience Plan for Maines Field Park protects a key recreational space for city residents. Doing so, also means investing in the long-term health and well-being
of our community. I support this initiative and strongly encourage you to prioritize the necessary funding to ensure the park’s future resilience and the joy it brings us all.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Dr. Thomas Taaffe
Manager, Northampton Burglars Coed Team