Pickleball Feasibility CPA Application.pdfCOMMUNITY PRESERVATION PROJECT APPLICATION COVER SHEET
I: Project Information
Project Title:
Feasibility Study for Outdoor Pickleball Courts
Project Summary:
CPA funds are requested to conduct a feasibility study for the creation of outdoor
pickleball courts for the City of Northampton. Evaluating city owned recreation
properties is necessary as the first step in court creation.
Pickleball is a fast growing sport and there has been much interest and requests
from the public to have access to outdoor public courts.
Estimated start date: January 2022 Estimated completion date: May 2022
CPA Program Area (check all that apply):
� Open Space � Historic Preservation
� Community Housing X Recreation
II: Applicant/Developer Information
Contact Person and or/primary applicant: Ann-Marie Moggio, Parks & Recreation Director
Property Owner (if applicable): City of Northampton
Organization (if applicable): Parks & Recreation
Mailing Address: 100A Bridge Rd., Florence, MA 01062
Daytime phone #: 413-587-1040 Fax #: 413-587-1044
E-mail address & Website: amoggio@northamptonma.gov,
www.northamptonma.gov/recreation
III: Budget Summary
Total budget for project: $13,000
CPA funding request: $13,000
CPA request as percentage of total budget: 100
Applicant’s Signature: ____________________________
Date Submitted: ____________________________
September 17, 2021
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Please read the entire CPA Application & Review Process before
beginning.
2. Complete the application Cover Sheet.
3. Include the following information:
Narrative: A description of the project and, when applicable, of the property
involved and its proposed use. Include responses to the following questions:
o Project location, including address and parcel number
o What Community Preservation criteria – both general and program-area
specific – does this project meet?
o 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.
o What specific guarantees will assure the long-term preservation of the
project?
o What community support does the project have? Explain the nature and
level of the support.
o How will the success of this project be measured?
o Is ongoing maintenance and upkeep required? If yes, please explain how
this will be accomplished.
Project Budget: The total budget for this project, including specifically how
CPA funds will be spent. All items of expenditure must be clearly identified.
Include project quotes, or show why this is not appropriate or feasible. List any
additional funding sources, either committed or under consideration. Include
commitment letters if available.
* If the application submission is for a community housing project, please submit
a development budget and a sources and uses budget. Also, community housing
home ownership projects shall include an affordability analysis, and community
housing rental projects shall include a five-year operating budget.
Multi-Year Funding: If the project is expected to continue over more than one
year, or if bonding the project is anticipated, please provide annual funding
requirements.
Project Timeline: Explain the various steps of the project and when they will
be completed.
Feasibility: List and explain all further actions or steps that will be required for
completion of the project, such as environmental assessments, zoning or other
permits and approvals, agreement on terms of any required conservation,
affordability or historic preservation agreements, subordination agreements, and
any known or potential barriers or impediments to project implementation.
If the project is for open space acquisition, a CR or APR is required. A
third party holder of the CR or APR must be identified.
Maps: USGS topographical map, assessors map, or other map as appropriate,
showing location of the project.
Visual materials: Photographs, renderings or design plans of the site, building,
structure or other subject for which the application is made.
Page numbers: please number all of the pages in the application.
4. Include the following attachments, if applicable and available:
Record plans of the land
Natural resource limitations (wetlands, flood plain, etc.)
Zoning (district, dimensional and use regulations as applies to the land)
Inspection reports
21E Reports and other environmental assessment reports
Mass. Historic Commission Historic inventory sheet
Historic structure report or existing condition reports
Existing conditions report
Names and addresses of project architects, contractors, and consultants
Evidence that appropriate professional standards will be followed if construction,
restoration or rehabilitation is proposed
Documentation that you have control over the site, such as Purchase and Sale
agreement, option, or deed; or explanation of how the proposed project will
proceed in the absence of site control.
Evidence that the proposed site is free of hazardous materials or that there is a
plan for assessment and/or remediation in place
Letters of support sufficient to document clear endorsement by community
members and groups, and, where appropriate, by municipal boards and
departments.
Any other information useful for the Committee in considering the project
Page 1 of 3
Project Narrative – Feasibility Study for Outdoor Pickleball Courts
The sport of Pickleball has exploded over the past few years. If you are not familiar with the sport and are
wondering “what is pickleball”:
It is a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It’s played indoors or outside on a
badminton sized court with a modified tennis net. Pickleball courts and nets are smaller than their tennis
counterparts. Players use a paddle and plastic ball with holes, and can play doubles or singles. It started out
popular with active adults and retirees as a less physically demanding alternative to tennis, and today is
enjoyed by all ages and skill levels.
The popularity and request for outdoor pickleball courts is substantial. This feasibility study will take a look at
current city owned property sites and recommend five possible locations to develop a 6 court pickleball facility
to include courts, fencing, and associated parking. The study will include GIS base plans, site evaluations and
schematic designs, and an opinion of probable cost as well as a public presentation.
Project Addresses Community Preservation Criteria:
It will boost the vitality of the community and enhances the quality of life for Northampton residents.
Receives endorsements by community members, municipal board and department.
This project will serve a significant number of residents.
Will expand the range of recreational of recreational opportunities available to Northampton
residents.
Contributes to the positive health status of its citizens of all ages.
Benefits recreation initiatives.
Maximizes the utility of land already owned by Northampton.
Project Serves Community Needs
This project will help to meet current demand for recreation facilities.
This project will help further the mission to provide active recreation opportunities.
Increase fitness options to promote Northampton as a location for healthy and active lifestyle.
Pickleball is a lifelong sport that all ages and abilities can enjoy for a relatively low cost.
100A Bridge Rd., Florence, MA 01062 413-587-1040 northamptonma.gov/recreation
Page 2 of 3
Long Term Preservation
This study will look at areas owned by the City of Northampton and through its Parks & Recreation
Commission.
Project Has Community Support
This project has a great deal of community support, including pickleball players, the Parks & Recreation
Commission and Department, all who realize the significant demand and benefits for these courts.
The City has been asked for years to pursue the addition of outdoor pickleball courts. Parks &
Recreation offered an indoor playing program in a school gym and the participation was overwhelming
with more people than available playing times.
Success Factors
The study will recommend city property that is best suited for courts.
Maintenance
Pickleball courts don’t require a great deal of daily maintenance. As all parks and fields in the city, the
general maintenance of the courts would be by the City’s Department of Public Works Parks, Cemetery
& Forestry Division. We anticipate volunteer user groups to also help if needed.
Project Budget
We are asking for full funding of the Pickleball Court Feasibility study.
Current Budget – see attached for details
Requested CPA Amount $13,000
$13,000
Project Timeline
Winter and Spring 2022
Feasibility
The project is a feasibility study to determine where courts would best be built. The Parks & Recreation
Department will work with a local firm, Berkshire Design Group, as well as other city departments, as needed
to complete the study.
100A Bridge Rd., Florence, MA 01062 413-587-1040 northamptonma.gov/recreation
Page 3 of 3
Recreational Use Criteria
Supports multiple active and passive recreation uses
Serves a significant number of residents
Expands the range of recreational opportunities available to Northampton residents of all ages
Contributes to the positive health status of its citizens
Benefits conservation and recreation initiatives
Maximizes the utility of land already owned by Northampton
Photographs
Enclosed
100A Bridge Rd., Florence, MA 01062 413-587-1040 northamptonma.gov/recreation
4 Allen Place, Northampton, MA 01060 (413) 582-7000 bdg@berkshiredesign.com
BerkshireDesignGroup
September 15, 2021
Ann-Marie Moggio
Parks and Recreation Department
100A Bridge Rd.
Florence, MA 01062 Ph: 413-587-1040
RE: Northampton - Pickleball Court Feasibility Study
Dear Ann-Marie
Berkshire Design Group is pleased to submit this proposal for providing landscape architectural and engineering
services for the Northampton - Pickleball Court Feasibility Study.
We understand that our responsibility will be to help the Northampton Park and Recreation Dept to choose a
City owned parcel to develop a 6 court pickleball facility. The facility will need to include courts, fencing and
associated parking. As part of the study BDG will analyze a maximum of 3 sites. We will create GIS base plans,
schematic designs, and opinion of probable cost for each location. After the City reviews the evaluations, BDG
will participate in one public meeting to present the findings of the study.
We proposed the following scope of work, divided into phases:
1. Kickoff Meeting & Base Plans for 3 Town Owned Parcels
During the kickoff meeting Berkshire Design Group, Northampton Park & Recreation and Northampton
Planning Department will establish a project schedule, review possible locations for the courts and define
project program, goals, and objectives. During the meeting Berkshire Design with the help of the City of
Northampton will choose 3 town owned parcels. For each site BDG will create a base plan that will include
enough City and State GIS information to help in the evaluation and schematic design process. BDG will visit the
3 sites to verify the GIS base plan information and to do a photo inventory.
The proposal does not include a site survey.
2. Site Evaluations and Schematic Design
For each of the 3 site BDG will analyze regulatory, cultural, and physical limitations of the parcels. We will
evaluate the sites on how each can be developed for a pickleball court facility. The site should have enough
space to accommodate a minimum of 6 pickleball courts, fencing, parking for 18 cars, ADA accessible route to
the courts and area to handle stormwater management. Soils information will be reviewed from soils maps.
The sites will also be evaluated on access to city and private utilities. Last the parcels will be evaluated on how
it relates to other recreational facilities and vehicular, cycling, and pedestrian access.
As part of the evaluation process Berkshire Design will develop a schematic design for each of the 3 parcels that
will include the above-mentioned elements (of 6 pickleball courts, fencing, parking for 18 cars, ADA accessible
route to the courts and area to handle stormwater management). The design will use the GIS base plans to
show in plan view and scale the courts and associated infrastructure. We will discuss the plans with the City of
Northampton staff during 2 meetings. We will collect any comments or suggestions and will revise the plans.
3. Opinion of Probable Cost & Public Presentation
Once both BDG and the city are satisfied with the schematic plans, we will develop opinions of probable cost
for each. Because the level of detail will be limited by the GIS data, the opinions of cost will be for budgeting
September 15, 2021 Northampton - Pickleball Court Feasibility Study
Proposal for Landscape Architectural and Engineering Services
Page 2 of 2
4 Allen Place, Northampton, MA 01060 (413) 582-7000 bdg@berkshiredesign.com
purposes only and will be in the form of a range of cost. Once a decision is made and a site is chosen, a detailed
site survey, further design development will need to take place to develop a more accurate cost estimate.
Berkshire Design will assist one public presentation. BDG will be responsible to provide presentation boards for
each of the 3 sites. The boards will include site analysis & photo inventory, evaluation, rendered plans of the
concepts and opinion of cost. BDG will meet with Park & Recreation to go over the material before the
presentation. We will present the 3 options to the public either in person or video conference.
Fees
The listing below outlines our proposed fee, with the tasks corresponding to the scope of services. We have
included two fees. A base fee to include the feasibility of 3 parcels, as spelled out in the scope of work. We also
included an optional fee to add 2 additional parcels for a total of 5 parcels.
Task Fee
1 – Kickoff Meeting &
Base Plans for 3 Town Owned Parcels $2,500
2 – Site Evaluations and Schematic Design $3,500
3 – Opinion of Probable Cost & Public Presentation $3,500
Base Fee (3 Town Owned Parcels) $ 9,500
Optional Fee (5 Town Owned Parcels + $3,500) $13,000
Sincerely,
Berkshire Design Group
Carlos Nieto-Mattei
Principal
Pickleball