Project Application
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION
PROJECT APPLICATION – Playgrounds
I: Project Information
Project Title: Playgrounds at Florence Fields Recreation Area and Lampron Park
Project Summary: The City is receiving a $200,000 Massachusetts “Our Common
Backyards” grant for playgrounds at Florence Field Recreation Area and at Lampron
Park. We are requesting $50,000 in CPA funding to meet the local match
requirement and allow the project to proceed.
Estimated start date: Spring, 2014 with substantial completion of construction by
December 31, 2014 (some check list items might not be complete until Spring 2015).
CPA Program Area (check all that apply):
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Open Space Historic Preservation
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Community Housing X Recreation
II: Applicant/Developer Information
Contact Person and or/primary applicant: Ann-Marie Moggio for the Recreation
Commission (in cooperation with Planning and Sustainability)
Property Owner (if applicable): Northampton Recreation Commission
Organization (if applicable): Northampton Recreation Commission
Mailing Address: 90 Locust Street
Daytime phone #: 413-587-1040 Fax #: 413-587-1045
E-mail address & Website: amoggio@northamptonma.gov,
http://www.northamptonma.gov/789/Recreation
III: Budget Summary
Total budget for project: $255,000
CPA funding request: $50,000
CPA request as percentage of total budget: 19.6%
Applicant’s Signature
Date Submitted: February 3, 2014
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Project Narrative:
Playgrounds are needed at both Lampron Park on Bridge Street and Florence Fields
Recreation Area on Meadow Street. The City has secured a $200,000 grant to fund
playgrounds at these two locations. We are requesting $50,000 in CPA funds to provide
the required local match.
Lampron Park serves one of the largest neighborhoods within walking distance of
downtown Northampton. There is a climbing play structure on the adjacent Bridge
Street School and plans for other recreation improvements on Bridge Street School
grounds. The Lampron Park playground will complement those improvements with
design elements that are not being met there (e.g., swings, attractive fencing to keep the
area secure and prevent children from running to the road, placing a powerline
underground because overhead power is not consistent with playgrounds). The detailed
design will be done in coordination with Bridge Street School and the brainstorming
with that community has already begun with one community meeting partially focused
on this project . Because of the neighborhood population and the school population,
this playground will provide for environmental justice, serving one of the highest
concentrations of low income and minority children in the city and serving
sustainability goals of providing quality playgrounds in walking distance of dense
neighborhoods.
Florence Fields Recreation Area serves the Florence area, especially the large
number of families who come to Florence Fields Recreation Area for field sports or to
the Florence Organic Community Gardens. The master plan for Florence Fields,
developed with community participation, clearly identified the site for the playground,
but there was not funding for it at the time. It will include basic playground structures
(climb, possibly swing set, etc.).
Community Preservation Criteria
Contributes to the preservation of Northampton’s unique character, boosts the vitality
of the community, and enhances the quality of life for its residents
The project will serve the two densest urban and village centers in Northampton,
downtown and Florence. It will provide both recreation for children living or playing in
those areas and also help provide a focal point for parents with young children and
children alone from nearby neighborhoods.
Addresses recommendations contained in the Sustainable Northampton
comprehensive plan and/or the Northampton Open Space, Recreation, and Mixed Use
Trail Plan 2011-2018 or is consistent with other city-wide planning efforts that have
received broad-based scrutiny and input and can demonstrate wide community
support
The project will help to meet recommendations contained in the Open Space Plan for 1)
increased active recreation opportunities and 2) open space opportunities within
walking distance of neighborhoods.
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Saves resources that would otherwise be threatened
The funding will leverage a state grant four times the size of the CPA request to provide
recreation needs that are not otherwise being served.
Receives endorsement by community groups, municipal boards and/or departments,
and City residents
The project is proposed by the Mayor and the Recreation Commission with support
from the Recreation Department, the Office of Planning and Sustainability. The Bridge
Street School community has already had one community meeting with strong support
for the project. The Florence Fields Recreation Area had extensive support for the
master plan that includes the playground as a critical design element. Additional
Support Letters to follow.
Leverages additional public and/or private funds, or demonstrates that other funding
sources are not readily available or sufficient
The project will leverage a $200,000 state grant and staff time from the Recreation
Department and the Office of Planning and Sustainability
Demonstrates a high benefit/cost value
The vast majority of the improvements, specifically the playground structures and
underground power at Lampron Park, are extremely durable and long lasting, outlasting
almost any other comparable recreation improvement. In addition, investments in
getting young children to actively play and socialize pay off many times over in
increased health and social skills, reducing other social service and health expenditures.
Can be implemented expeditiously and within budget
The project will go to design in March, bid in early summer, with construction in late
summer and through the fall. There are no permits required and meeting this time line
should be easy. The project will include several add-alternative items, so that regardless
of bid prices the project will be completed on budget.
What community need(s) does this project serve? If the project serves multiple needs
and populations, please describe them. If the project serves a population that is
currently underserved, please describe.
The project serves several underserved populations:
Lampron Park serves an environmental justice population (i.e., one of the highest
concentrations of low income and/or minority status children) in both the surrounding
neighborhood and from school students. It also serves dense downtown neighborhoods,
which are underserved by playground facilities.
Florence Recreation Fields is within walking distance, albeit a long walk, of
Florence Heights, one of the largest community public housing projects in Northampton
and the village of Florence, which are both underserved by playground facilities. It also
serves families who are attracted to the area by field sports and community gardens, but
find facilities for young children lacking.
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What specific guarantees will assure the long-term preservation of the project?
Florence Fields Recreation Area is already permanent open space dedicated to
recreation under the care and custody of the Recreation Commission. Lampron Park
goes before City Council on Thursday for transfer to the Recreation Commission and
dedication as permanent open space.
What community support does the project have? Explain the nature and level of the
support.
The project is supported by the Recreation Commission, Recreation Department, Office
of Planning and Sustainability, Bridge Street School administration, Bridge Street
School community, and several neighborhood and sports leagues.
How will the success of this project be measured?
The project will be measured a success when the playgrounds are complete, we see
children playing on the playground starting in late fall 2014, we see children getting
more exercise, and we see parents congregating and socializing by the playground as
their children play.
Is ongoing maintenance and upkeep required? If yes, please explain how this will be
accomplished.
On-going maintenance is required and will be done by the DPW Recreation Division.
Play structures, however, require far less maintenance than most other recreation
investments.
Project Budget
The total budget is $255,000, including $50,000 in requested CPA funds.
Staff coordination and oversight $ 5,000
Design and construction oversight $ 25,000
Playground construction* $225,000
Total $255,000
*Playground construction includes playground equipment, equipment installation and
soft surface below equipment, Lampron Park power going underground, fencing at
Lampron Park, related trees and landscaping, etc.
Because of the offered state grant, it is not possible to break the project into different
phases.
Project Timeline and Feasibility:
We are currently collecting quotes for project design, which will begin in March.
Construction bids will be released in the spring for late summer and fall construction.
There are no additional permits or permissions required so there are no significant
unknowns that could put the project or timeline at risk.
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