Recreation Feasibility 2013 final report
Recreation Feasibility Study 2013 CPA Report
Joint project of: Recreation Commission, Recreation Department, Planning and Sustainability
The Recreation Feasibility Study has funded due diligence and feasibility necessary for five projects
1. New Recreation Complex: Identified what is now Florence Recreation Fields.
2. Riverfront park: Identified what is now the Connecticut River Greenway riverfront park and
identified what could be included.
3. Connecticut River Greenway trail: Identified what is now the Connecticut River Greenway trail
concept.
4. Parcel C: Identified what portion of the Northampton State Hospital could become permanently
protected as the Ray Ellerbrook Recreation Area and would not be needed for other municipal uses.
5. Rail Trail connectivity: Identified the opportunity to connect the City’s rail trail network with the
state network and what is now the planned MassCentral rail trail underpass.
In 2013, the project funded:
1. Connecticut River Greenway: Survey identified land appropriate for recreation without preventing
development opportunities, helping leverage the donation of land to the city.
2. Ellerbrook Recreation Fields: Survey identified land appropriate for recreation without preventing
the use of the remainder of the parcel for a future fire station, leveraging the permanent
preservation of this land.
3. Mass Central Rail Trail: Survey identified the location of a rail trail underpass and necessary
easements, helping leveraging state commitment to build a rail trail underpass.
Current Status
$21,755.44 of the original $40,000 grant remain. We expect to spend these funds over the next year on
three projects:
1. Additional work for the Mass Central Rail Trail
2. Additional work for the Connecticut River Greenway riverfront park
3. Identifying the opportunities for a downtown community playground.
Our rough estimate is that the remainder of the funds will be expended by the end of 2014.
Submitted, on behalf of the Recreation Department, Recreation Commission, and Planning and
Sustainability by Wayne Feiden, FAICP, Director of Planning and Sustainability.