NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city has awarded the splash park project design bid to Berkshire Design Group Inc. and construction could begin this summer. 

 

Director of Community Development Larysa Bernstein on Monday updated the Parks and Recreation Commission on Monday about the new project at Noel Field Athletic Complex.

 

"They are working on the design now and their plan is to start construction in the late summer and finish by June 30 of 2019," Bernstein said.  

 

The city received $400,000 through a Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities grant. The project in totality is slated to cost $723,000, of which the city plans to fund the balance with Community Development Block Grants. The same method was used to cover the costs of the skate park at Noel Field opened last summer.

 

Although it is called the "splash park project," it includes much more.

 

"It's bocce, basketball courts, pickle ball, landscaping, some tree plantings and maybe a shade structure," Bernstein said. "It all depends on the budget."

 

Berkshire Design Group of Northampton, landscape architects, were also chosen to design the splash park going in at Clapp Park in Pittsfield. It has also designed the Pittsfield's Park Square and the paver projects at Western Gateway Heritage State Park and the Adams Town Common. 

 

Before leaving, Bernstein asked the commission to start to consider new PARC grant projects

 

"If you have any projects, feel free to make a list and discuss them amongst yourselves and just let me know," she said. "I am open to ideas and value your input."

 

One project the commission has considered was a community gym composed of equipment designed for outdoor use at Noel Field.

 

Commissioner David Willette suggested this project last meeting and thought it would be a good resource for older residents. 

 

"There are 5,607 people over the age of 50 in North Adams, and that represents 42 percent of the population," he said. "Not that this equipment is exclusively for those over 50 but that is what they are designed for. I just think it is just an overall big benefit for the community."

 

Willette had gotten a rough estimates of $60,000 to $70,000 for land preparation and equipment, although cost would depend on the number and types of equipment.

 

Administrative Officer Michael Canales said there is a possible grant opportunity he plans to investigate for this equipment.

 

The commission will vote on whether its want to take action on recommending this equipment next meeting.

 

In other business, the commission responded to a request from North Adams Independent Youth Baseball to move lights from River Grove Park off River Street to Fallon Field.  The lights had been installed for football practices but have not been used in some years. Moving them to Fallon would allow the league to play night games.

 

But Canales said the lights cannot be moved because they were part of a former PARC grant.

 

"They were put in years ago through a PARC grant and there is still assurances that that's where they need to remain," he said. "We just can't start taking elements off of it and moving it somewhere else and we have agreed to maintain it and improve it."

 

He said if youth baseball wants to install lights on either Fallon or Kemp Park, the league would have to fund it on their own or the city would have to solicit more PARC funds.

 

Canales added that he thought the city should focus on Noel Field and place its designated Little League field there.

 

"It has lights, bathrooms, and everything but a concession stand," he said. "If we end up installing changing rooms and other things down there for the splash park, then it seems like a natural fit." 

 

He said all the city would have to do is extend the fencing, which is something that can be done in-house.

 

Commissioner Tim Koperek asked to invite league officials to a future meeting to see which direction they want to go in regard to the Little League field. 

 

"At this point, we really need them to come to a meeting and they can tell us what they want because if they want to stay at Fallon then that would be up to them," he said.