STURGESPARK
MASTER PLAN
January 2013
The Sturges Park Planning Committee includes the following membership:
Leslie McGonagle, Abutting Resident
Lisa Egan, Abutting Resident
Val Sachetta, Abutting Resident
Jeff Jadul, Abutting Resident
George Katsoufis, Reading United Soccer Club Representative
Frank Driscoll, Reading Youth Softball Rep/Recreation Committee
James Bonazoli, BOS Representative
John Feudo, Staff Liaison- Recreation Administrator
Also working closely with the committee:
Katie Varney, Abutting Resident
Gary Juffre, Abutting Resident
Dave Walsh, Resident, Landscape Designer
Committee Charge:
The charge of this committee was to take a holistic view of the Sturges Park Playground area and create a master plan for future improvements. The plan has been approved unanimously by the Recreation Committee. Once the plan has been adopted by the Board of Selectmen,it will serve as a guide for future changes to the park. In general the master plan takes into account the use of neighbors, schools, and town organizations.
Brief History of the Area:
In the 1949 Town Annual report, it is recorded as follows:
“Mr. Allan Sturges has donated to the Town a substantial area of land adjacent to South Street and Pine Ridge Road. This area has, for several years, been leased to the Town by Mr. Sturges. It has been used mainly for skating purposes and has become a very popular winter sports area. Through the generosity of Mr. Sturges, an area containing approximately seven and one half acres has been added to the park system.” One of the conditions of the deed was that the park be utilized for winter sports.
Current Condition:
SturgesPark is located on the corner of Pine Ridge Road and Walnut Street. It is home to manylocal athletic groups, as well as residents and families who use the play structure. Many families from out-of-town play here, while their siblings might be playing soccer or softball, etc.
Committee WorkPlan:
The Sturges Park Master Plan Committee kicked off in early May of 2012. The committee was assembled with several abutters and other interested parties such as youth organization leadership and residents of the neighborhood. In mid-May, the committee, along with several other neighbors, conducted a site walk to see the physical layout of the park. The committee noted a wish list of items to be replaced, modified or addressed at that time.
In late June, the committee developed an extensive questionnaire to gain feedback from the residents of Reading. (See appendix) The survey yielded 65 responders with some very helpful feedback and was used to establish plan. Subsequently, the committee also held a neighborhood meeting in late June to ask for feedback from residents. Unfortunately the meeting had less than 15 people in attendance, but the folks that participated provided plenty of insight.
The committee features two highly qualified landscape architects that were able to put together some schematics of what the park might look like with the proposed modifications. In August, the committee began looking at concept plans of the park. It was identified that committee could not move any further without understanding the conservation constraints for the plan.
In September the committee visited with the conservation commission. At that time, they reviewed the plan and received questions from the commission. The commission sent the Sturges Park Committee back to find historical information of how the skating areas were built. This would impact jurisdiction and design opportunity. The committee was able to establish that the skating area were excavated and in fact, man-made.
In mid-December the committee had a joint meeting with the Recreation Committee. The public was also invited to join the conversation as part of a public hearing. The meeting was very well attended with over 40 people in attendance. The Recreation Committee heard the proposal and in the end voted to recommend acceptance of the plan as presented below. The final step in the process took place on February 12, 2013 at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting. The Board reviewed a brief presentation and voted by a count of 4-0-0 to accept the Sturges Park Master Plan as proposed.
Tennis & BasketballCourts:
Current Conditions:
The age of the existing tennis and basketball courts at SturgesPark is evident. The courts were constructed in the late 1970’s. Both tennis and basketball courts directly abut each other using common fencing; however they are not accessible to each other. The tennis court only has one entrance. One must leave the tennis court and walk all the way around the perimeter to access the basketball court. Ball retrieval can be somewhat frustrating.
The courts themselves have many cracks and splits. Some cracks are 1 - 2 inches wide. The original, standard galvanized fencing remains around the courts.It has appeared to be buckled in many places including on the common fence where the two courts meet.Balls typically roll under the fence, although generally the fencing has stood the test of time.
Recommendations:
The committee has decided to keep the courts, and recommendsrenovating them with some modifications. The modifications include building the new tennis court in the approximate footprint of the basketball court moving 10’ westerly to the roadway. Thetennis court would be oriented for North to South play vs. the current East to West play. The basketball court will continue to be next to the tennis courts, but a newly installed path will be included to provide access to the field and two courts. The basketball court will be reduced to the more manageable size court. It will continue to feature two hoops.
The fencing around each court will be to the Town standards and done in a high gauge black vinyl coating. These courts should be viewed as a priority as the large housing developments on this particular side of town have made SturgesPark a destination for many more residents to recreate.
Ball Field and Backstop:
Current Conditions:
The backstop and ball field seem to be in the best location possible. Currently balls are hit away from all abutting houses. The infield is of a skinned nature featuring 100% clay. The field also has two players’ benches for the home and away teams to use with protection wings on each side for player safety.
The backstop is approaching the end of its useful life. It is on the capital plan to be replaced in Fiscal Year FY2020.
Recommendations:
The backstop should a high priority for replacement. Location modification could be considered.
The Playground:
Current Conditions:
There is asmall playground area that features a rather dilapidated wooden structure comprised of a few playelements. There is a triple slide, one set of steps to a platform, a pole with steps to glidedown or up, and a few levels where the children may climb or sit. The structure is quite small, and can accommodate up to 10 children maximum. There also is a swing set with only two swings. The area does enjoy nice shade from some mature trees. Also, there is a swing setthat was installed over 40 years ago, which is geared toward younger children. It is not part of the currentplay surface area. Along with that is a lone park bench from many years ago.
A particular concern of the committee is the location of the playground. It is only 3 feet away from Pine Ridge Road, which is dangerously close to this busy street. A few years ago a 3 foot high chain link fence was installed on the street side of theplayground area. Unfortunately, it was vandalized and there are several holes in the fence that are large enough for a toddler to step through. This has become an area that is unsafe for small children who run.
The playground at SturgesParkis in need of major upgrade, and the town has set aside a budget of $45,000 for this purpose.
Recommendation:
To ensure the safety of all, we highly recommend situating the new playground into the park, approximately 25 feet away from the street. The committee has identified a parcel of land that is approximately 3200 square feet that is relatively flat which would be the new location of the play structure(s) and swings.
The playground will be used by a range of children, age 4 – 10 and should be handicap accessible where possible. The equipment should meet ADA requirements and have a fall height no more than 8'. It will be surrounded by rubber mulch, which is the Town standard for safety. It should be made of very durable material as it has to stand the harsh winters and the hot summer sun. All slides will have edges to ensure young children can use them safely without the risk of falling. A smaller playground committee has been created, and we have had two brainstorming sessions to determine which play structures will complement the neighborhood and have a high “play value”, which means they are well-utilized by children. The goal is to design a playground that can be used for the next two decades, and can be added to should funds become available. The committee is considering some fundraising to help add benches, a picnic table and to upgrade the signage and lighting for the park.
Skating Areas:
Current Conditions:
The skating areas are generally in poor condition, specifically the rectangular area closest to Pine Ridge Road.
- This rectangular area was originally excavated in 1957 and created with the intent for hockey play due to the growing popularity of the sport in Reading. This new “hockey area” enabled the original skating area to be used for traditional free skate and beginners.
- This “hockey area” has sloped and sunken over the years and has become increasingly more difficult to maintain. Tall grass has grown higher than water/ice levels creating an unfit surface for skating which prevents the use of its original winter intent and moves hockey play back to the “free skate area”.
- This area has also become completely unusable during off winter months as the inability to maintain the area prevents sports play, picnics, and other public leisure activities.
- This steep slope that has developed is also a great safety and liability concern as anyone walking by the edge of this area, especially small children and the elderly, could fall into the sunken area.
Recommendations:
- Create a more attractive, safe, and year round useable area for the park.
- Reduce the slope leading down into the “hockey area” to make it safe during non winter months.
- Raise the level of the “hockey area” to create a better skating area during winter months as well as useable space during non-winter months.
- Replicate all areas considered retention in “hockey area” in and around “free skate area”.
- Plant an attractive variety of plant life to create qualitative retention areas.
- By adding new retention area, create a more hour glass shaped area for free skating that will direct hockey play to the “hockey area”.
- Routine maintenance must be planned and executed by the Town to avoid clogging of pipes and failure of drains.
Wooded Trail Area:
Current Conditions:
One of the unrealized assets of SturgisPark is the potential to activate a multi-use trail system around and through the park site.
The eastern border of the park is characterized by a mixed-forest woodland with an AberjonaRiver tributary stream flowing in a north-to-south direction along the eastern length of the park. This heavily-shaded stand of forest is a counterpoint to the open fields and resources areas of the park proper, and acts as a visual and acoustic buffer for the neighborhoods to the north, south and east, particularly along Walnut Street, Ash Hill and Maple Ridge Roads. Future development of a trail system within these environs should maintain the security and privacy currently enjoyed by these Reading abutters.
Within the woodland itself are the remnants of vehicular access lane which is now largely overgrown but still functions for undeveloped pedestrian travel. This trailway extends along the western bank of the stream from the heavily wooded northern section and daylights at a tall stand of Eastern White Pine trees, then travels along an earthen berm that borders the southern resource area before ending at Walnut Street.
There is evidence of continuous informal use of the trail, including the placement of wooden planks spanning the stream at the White Pines stand. This location has an open understory which provides for a visual link between the park and the trailway. The crossing suggests the possibility for future development of a secondary trail along the eastern bank of the stream. This would provide for a continuous woodland experience from the north end of the site to the terminus at Walnut Street.
Future development of the trail system may also include a perimeter trail around the open fields of the park. Paralleling the park edge along Pine Ridge Road, this "loop trail" would provide a one-half mile travel course which would allow for exercise and enjoyment along a sunlit circuit.
Future trails should be a maximum of eight feet wide to allow for emergency vehicle access, but should be surfaced with wood chips or stone dust in keeping with the "natural" character of the site. At various points, interpretative signage could be provided to describe noteworthy historic or environmental conditions and distances could be marked to inform users of the lengths of their travel. In the event that a secondary trail is provided within the woodland, two pedestrian wood bridges would be provided to cross the stream at the pine stand and Walnut Street locations.
Parking:
Current Conditions:
Currently, parking for SturgesPark is concentrated along Pine Ridge road. The spaces are not paint-striped but there is maximum capacity for 42 cars parking head-on, with 4 of those being double parked outside the basketball court. The leading edge of parking is delineated with wood bollards which are in fair condition. The parking strip is interrupted by a fire hydrant and a utility pole approximately in the middle portion. There is also a cluster of 4 parking spaces along the short side of the park on South Street adjacent to the storm drain and pump station.
The proposed parking layout will include new curbs around the utility pole and hydrant, white striping for 9 ft. x 18 ft. spaces and per Reading zoning standards with provisions for accessible spaces near the playground area and elimination of the double parking in favor of more flexibility. The new capacity will be 52 vehicles, increased by 10 spaces minimum (+25%). Present day asphalt cracks will be sealed where necessary, until at some point in the future capital funds can be allocated to repave the entire parking strip. When this occurs, the new design should shorten the depth of parking spaces to 18-20 feet (from 22-24 that it currently is) returning about 700 square feet to landscaping. Standard sidewalks spanning from corner of South Street to the north west corner of the park would improve accessibility and walkability.
Other Amenities:
Current Conditions:
There are currently three wooden benches at the park in total: one at the playground, one at the tennis court and a third on the basketball court. There is a set of aluminum bleachers on the softball field. There are no picnic tables. There are shade trees near the playground but not near the skating rinks, basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer, or softball fields. There is a water fountain near the playground that is very old and low to the ground and it emits large gushes of water making it difficult to use. The handle is not pressurized, so someone could potentially leave the water flowing for hours wasting money and water. There are three dim, antiquated spotlights overlooking the skating areas. The park is popular with dog owners. While many clean up after their pets, there are some who do not despite the fact clean up bags are provided at the park. This concern was raised by committee members and also came through as feedback in the survey.
Recommendation:
The committee recommended that there be a picnic table and several benches around the playground. In addition, it was recommended that the benches be upgraded and the wooden ones be replaced. Shade trees were envisioned for areas around the softball fields and skating rinks. It was thought that a new, updated town standard water fountain would be placed near the playground. The committee also recommended that the lighting be updated and that it should be added to the far side of the playing fields so that teams could continue to play at dusk. A sign instructing people to curb their dogs would be a welcome addition near the container of bags provided for this purpose. It is also recommended that a town standard guardrail be placed to separate the parking area from the play area. Lastly it was thought that a footbridge or wooden bridge could be built across the stream at the back side of the property.