Florence Fields CPA Application - Round 1 2011II: Applicant /Developer Information
Contact Person and or /primary applicant: Ann -Marie Moggio, Recreation Director
Property Owner (if applicable): City of Northampton
Organization (if applicable): City of Northampton Recreation Department
Mailing Address: 90 Locust St., Northampton, MA 01060
Daytime phone 587 -1040
Fax 587 -1045
E -mail address Website: amoggio(a northamptonma.gov,
www.northamptonma.gov/recreation
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION
PROJECT APPLICATION COVER SHEET
I: Project Information
Project Summary: Begin the process to develop playing fields on the former Allard
Property on Meadow Street in Florence. The focus is to begin with multi purpose
fields (soccer /lacrosse), baseball and a parking area.
This project is supported by the Mayor, Recreation Commission, Office of Planning
and Development, and many of the various privately organized youth leagues in the
City.
Estimated start date: June 2011 Estimated completion date: May 2013
CPA Program Area (check all that apply):
Open Space
Community Housing
Historic Preservation
X Recreation
Project Title: Florence Fields Recreation Park (Allard Property) Development
III: Budget Summary
CPA funding request: $127,576
CPA request as percentage of total budget: 17%
Total budget for project: $757,575
Applicant's Signature: _...4,,,.-7.4.
Date Submitted: February 3, 2011
Project Narrative Florence Fields Recreation Park
Project Location: The project will create and improve the Florence Fields Recreation Park on Meadow
Street in Florence. Previous CPA funding helped fund the purchase of the land, the recreation area
design, and will begin the construction this coming summer. The current funds requested will enable us
to continue with construction and fully match the maximum PARC grant award allowed. The Bean Allard
Task Force approved a Master Plan, created by Berkshire Design Group, Inc., during an intensive
community participatory process with extensive community outreach and multiple public forums. The
Northampton Recreation Commission is now in the midst of the full design process, which will also
include community participation and public forums. The finished project will include five multi purpose
playing fields and two baseball fields, a play structure, pavilion, along with parking area, a
concession /bathroom building, and a mixed use recreation trail.
The Recreation Commission's next step, starting this coming summer, will be to begin construction of
the improvements. Only the first phase of construction, rough grading and the first field, has funding
currently, thanks to PARC and CPA. Full improvements will be phased in over time, depending on the
availability of state and local funding. The proposed project, however, is based on creating a recreation
area that serves the immediate and most desperate needs. The exact aspects of the first construction
phase will be determined during the final design process and cost estimating process as we work with
the community and identify what is possible with the funds available.
Project Addresses Community Preservation Criteria:
It will enhance the quality of life for Northampton residents.
This project will support multiple recreation activities.
Serves a significant number of residents.
Expand the range of recreational opportunities available to Northampton residents.
Enhance the appreciation of the natural world and its conservation.
Contributes to the positive health status of Northampton citizens.
Benefit conservation and recreation initiatives.
Serves residents of all ages.
Project Serves Community Need
This project will help to further the mission to provide active recreation opportunities.
It will help to meet the rising demand for recreational facilities.
Long Term Preservation
The property will be owned by the City of Northampton through its Recreation Commission,
which provided for Article 97 protection, and will be subject to a conservation restriction held by
a nonprofit conservation organization.
Project has Community Support
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This project has broad community support including a multitude of Northampton sport leagues,
the Bean Allard Task Force, the Recreation Commission, Conservation Commission, Agricultural
Commission, Recreation Department, Office of Planning and Development, as well as the Mayor,
all who have identified the need for more land for recreation fields.
Through a significant number of meetings and public hearings involving the Bean Allard Task
Force and the Community, support for the recreation development was clearly demonstrated.
Success Factors
The improvement of the property for recreational usage.
The construction and usage of the fields by the Community.
Maintenance
A combination of city maintenance forces and sports league users will maintain the property.
Project Budget Full Phase 2
Previous CPA monies Phase 1: $990,000 of CPA monies was allocated to the Bean Farm and Allard Farm
Open Space Preservation project, primarily for agriculture, community garden, conservation, and
recreation acquisition, and related soft costs and design. Only a small percentage of those funds are
available for recreation construction, and those funds will be completely spent early this summer for an
early start.
Phase 2: $130,000 of CPA money was allocated this winter. It allows for a partial match to allow us to
apply for a PARC and /or Land and Water Conservation Fund on this upcoming round. These funds will
leverage $130,000 to $260,000 of grant funds (Depending on which of two grants are received: the Land
and Water Conservation Fund requires a 50% local match, while the LAND grant requires only 34
This allows the first significant phase of recreation field creation.
Full Phase 2 request: We are requesting additional funds to allow us to use the existing Phase 2 funds
already allocated and the new funds to apply for the maximum PARC and /or Land and Water
Conservation Fund available. It is less expensive, in terms of construction costs, construction impacts,
and staff time, to do the largest project possible under state grant rules rather than divide it into
multiple rounds.
Project Budget Current Application: Development of Playing Fields Florence Recreation Park
PARC Grant FY2012 (application due this year) $500,000
CPA Monies Awarded Fall 2010 $130,000
Current CPA Request $127,575
TOTAL SOURCES $757,575
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Note: We are requesting funds now to allow planning to proceed and to improve the likelihood of state
funding by showing our local match is in -hand. CPA funds will ONLY be spent as match for state and
federal grants and will not be spent if no grants are received.
Project Timeline April 2011 to May 2013
Design: Winter and Spring 2011
Permitting: Winter and Spring 2011
Construction: 2011 -2012. Full funding is required, however, to allow a construction contract to be
signed.
Feasibility
The project is allowed by right under Northampton Zoning. Permits required:
Planning Board Site Plan Approval
While the board has enormous discretion on the details they do not have the right to deny the project.
Conservation Commission Wetlands Approval
The regulations are very transparent and approval, again subject to conditions, is non discretionary
when the regulations are complied with. The site is floodplain but not wetlands.
Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (required for projects receiving state or federal funds when
certain thresholds on land use, traffic impacts, wetlands disturbance and others are met or exceeded)
The project is currently under MEPA thresholds. This will be reassessed when the full design is complete
but we anticipate that this will not change.
Maps
The Florence Fields Recreational Facility Master Plan is enclosed.
Page 3 of 3
Ev ergr
Florence Fields Recreational Facility
Revised Master Plan
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June 28, 2010
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Playground
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Picnic Pavilion
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Parking Area
156 Spades
78 Paved
78 Unpaved
Legend
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Property line
Proposed PL 1
Proposed PL 2
5 Ft. Contour
Trail
Dirt Road
Bike Trail
River
Stream