Sheldon Field Answers
Sheldon Field Open Space and Recreation Project
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What tangible benefit will the additional 1.7 acres provide for the City’s
recreation facilities? What will this provide for in terms of expansion of
facilities?
A: This will allow an expansion of Sheldon Field and the creation of new playing
fields, in combination with a sliver of land owned by the City which is too thin to be
useable for any kind of needed field. The area has the potential for soccer and/or
multipurpose playing fields, which have been identified as top priority. Hundreds of
City youth will benefit from it.
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Is there a sense of how much it will cost to create additional recreational space in
10 years? Any ideas on how this will be funded?
A: The cost is depended on the type of field, and whether the DPW is in a position to
help build the fields. To have the area designed and include a soccer field, a baseball
field, and all the components (fencing, benches, etc.) needed it would cost
approximately $100,000. No funding has been secured for creating new fields. There
are several possible sources.
1. First, City Capital Improvements Funding. This funding is not available now
because of commitments to the Senior Center, Police Station, and DPW barn, but
ten years from now we hope funds will be available.
2. Second, Community Preservation funds, if the CPC funds the current application.
(Funding the acquisition makes improvements eligible for future CPA funds,
although it obviously does not create any obligation for such funding.)
3. Third, if in conjunction with a larger rehab of all of Sheldon Field, state Urban
Self-Help or Federal Land and Water Conservation Funds.
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With regard to the 10 years of open space benefit provided, is there a risk that the
property could be used for development or some other use?
A: No, the open space benefits of this project are permanent. The property will be
owned by the Northampton Recreation Commission and protected by the Article 97
of the Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution, which does not allow transfer
of land to development without a unanimous vote of the Recreation Commission, a
rds
majority vote of City Council, and a 2/3roll call vote of the state legislature.
During the first 10 years only, there will be a lease for agricultural use, but the lease
allows only agricultural use. The Recreation Commission could continue agricultural
uses or switch to recreational uses after ten years.
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How does this acquisition affect the need for additional soccer fields?
A: This acquisition is part of a long term solution to fulfill unmet demand for both soccer
fields and other playing fields. This acquisition does nothing to meet immediate demand
(for the next ten years). Even if available today, the deficit of fields is deep enough that
we need to develop more fields elsewhere. We are examining opportunities for more
soccer and playing fields on other city-owned land and on land currently in private hands.