On Tuesday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. in Town Building, the Board of Selectmen, Recreation Commission, and Conservation Commission are sponsoring a public forum to discuss potential use of the Loker Recreation and Conservation Area.
As you may recall, a citizens petition was filed last winter seeking to develop the recreation portion of the parcel for an athletic facility that included an ice rink and the possibility of a multi-purpose area or playing fields.
Since that time, the Recreation Commission has received the athletic field master plan. The report identifies available town parcels suitable for athletic fields, with the type and number of fields based upon an assessment of demand for each sport or recreational use. However, the athletic field master plan is not a comprehensive recreation plan in that it does not consider need or opportunity for facilities such as the complex that was envisioned by the citizen group. In addition, the Council on Aging is conducting a space needs study for its programming and assessing various options to provide suitable space.
This information provides some context for the discussion on December 7. As part of our strategic planning process, we are attempting to develop various options for use of the Loker Recreation and Conservation Area so the town can make an informed judgment as to the most appropriate use of this community asset. Among the options that have been circulated:
(1) a field plan (3-60' baseball/softball diamonds) proposed by Gale Associates in the field master plan
(2) a proposal similar to that put forth by the citizens group last winter for a private athletic facility housing an ice rink with an adjoining multi-purpose space or a smaller building housing an ice rink with athletic fields on the remaining recreational land
(3) a proposal to develop the site for a community center that includes multi-purpose rooms for recreation and senior programs combined with athletic fields
Our plans will take into account parking needs for each scenario, plus include a proposal to develop walking trails within the conservation area.
A critical component of the planning process is a public forum to get initial public reaction to these ideas and to hear any new visions for the property. The tentative format for the program is:
- an introduction by Board of Selectmen chair Steve Correia, Recreation Commission chair Bob Virzi, and Conservation Commission chair Andy Irwin
- a review of the boundaries of the property and the limits of development based on the conservation area under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission, showing the wetlands and buffer areas
- a review of the information provided by the environmental consultants and special legal counsel relative to active use of the property
- a review of the various options for the property
- an opportunity for public comment
We look forward to hearing the comments of interested citizens.
Fred Turkington
Town Administrator
