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Recreation Assessment grant from CPA;II: Applicant /Developer Information Contact Person and or /primary applicant: Ann -Marie Moggio Organization (if applicable): Northampton Recreation Department Mailing Address: 90 Locust St., Northampton, MA 01060 Daytime phone #: 587 -1040 Fax #: 587 -1044 E -mail address: amoggio ©northamptonma.gov 1: . Project Information COMMUNITY PRESERVATIO PROJECT APPLICATION FO Project Title: Feasibility Study for Playing Fields Project Summary: The City of Northampton suffers from a critical shortage of playing fields. Current requests for usage far exceed availability of space. This study would look at possible parcels in the City and then identify which of those parcels would — meet - the - needs - of - the ever= growing - youth- and - adult leagues. It would also address the expanding interest in a variety of recreational activities in Northampton. The growing level of obesity and the need for multiple avenues of exercise need to be addressed. This project is supported by the Mayor, Recreation Commission, Office of Planning and Development, and many of the various privately organized youth leagues in the City. The Recreation Department would provide services to quantify what the field and recreation needs of our citizens are. The Office of Planning and Development will assist in the analyzing of parcels in Northampton. Estimated start date: January 2009 Estimated completion date: July 2009 CPA Program Area (check all that apply): ❑ Open Space El Historic Preservation ❑ Community Housing XX Recreation III: Budget Summary Total budget for project: $70,000 CPA funding request: $40,000 CPA request as percentage of total budget: 57% Applicant's Signature: if.14 . 1 __ ht #.4.‘ Date Submitted: q 12_ 6? Project Narrative The project will consist of four distinct phases that are necessary in order for the city to identify a location and plan for new recreation fields, regardless of whether those fields are ultimately to be owned by the City or by a partner non - profit: 1. Assessment of opportunities throughout the entire City for recreation fields. This report will be heavily based on a Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis of topography, wetlands, access, land tenure, land use and other criteria. The Office of Planning and Development will contribute detailed GIS analysis. (Budget $10,000 — City of Northampton contribution). 2. Assessment of city -wide recreation field under both current needs and in 2018 conditions. The Recreation Commission will contribute detailed survey and assessment analysis. (Budget $10,000 —City of Northampton contribution) 3. Detailed analysis of priority sites selected from above analysis. (Budget $40,000 —CPA request) 4. Site specific project soft costs, title search, survey etc. (Budget $10,000— contribution from leagues and recreation partners). Project Addresses Community Preservation Criteria Will support multiple recreation activities; serves a significant number of residents, contributes to the positive health status of Northampton citizens, serves residents of all ages, benefits conservation and recreation initiatives. Project Serves Community Needs Project will help to further the mission to provide active recreation opportunities, will help meet the rising demand for recreational facilities. Project has Community Support This project has the strong support of Northampton sport leagues, the Recreation Commission, Office of Planning and Development, the Heath Department, as well as the Mayor, all who have identified the desperate need and availability for more land for recreation fields. Success Factors The success of this project will be measured by: The collaboration of a number of youth and adult leagues and Departments involved to research and document the variety of needs, as well as the amount of land needed. The prioritization of a properly to focus on for future acquisition for playing fields. Maintenance The City Parks and Cemetery's Division of the DPW would maintain the property. via email Ann -Marie Moggio, Director Northampton Recreation Department 90 Locust Street Northampton, MA 01060 Dear Ann- Marie: September 11, 2008 As President of Northampton Little League, I am writing in support of the feasibility study for use of Community Preservation Funds for new fields for children in Northampton. I have been involved with several youth sports in the city and believe strongly that the condition and availability of field space is sorely lacking, particularly for baseball. Northampton Little League served approximately 420 boys and girls this past season. All played baseball on three regular season diamonds. Our Junior League teams were also able to use Arcanum Field for some games. Practices were limited between ages 6 -12 to four fields at the Finn Ryan Road School. This number was often reduced when our Farm League games were held there. In addition, Cal Ripken League teams also utilized Ryan Road fields for practice space. This clearly creates problems for coaches seeking practice time. Because Little League players can't use McDonald and LaRiviere fields during the season for practice, our kids are not getting adequate practice time to develop as players. The condition of several fields also warrants the use of CPA funds to seek additional field space. Wet weather creates significant problems at Sheldon Field, where LaRiviere Field is used by Little Leaguers and the softball field is used by our Little League softball teams. We have over 100 girls who play softball there. The city makes a good effort to prepare fields after rain but it is a losing battle. Because it takes so much time to pump and prepare the fields at Sheldon, and the city seems to lack adequate resources, these and other fields such as the diamond at JFK may not be prepared in time. Because we share the use of fields with Cal Ripken, we are cognizant of the start of our games to insure that all games on a given day are played. On a typical Saturday in the summer, the city will schedule six Little League and four Cal Ripken League games at McDonald and LaRiviere fields. Poor field conditions adversely affect everyone. I want to make another appeal for improvements to the field at JFK. Coaches and players have complained for years about the condition of the infield there. I was a witness to a Junior League player breaking his arm on a slide into second base this year. The infield is very hard and it deserves significant attention to improve the safety of our players and others who use it. While we are able to use JFK and Arcanum Field for Junior League play, the loss of Veterans Field should be factored into any decision to create more field space. We should have another 90 foot diamond to replace Veterans Field. I was present last year when Mayor Higgins asked several groups from around the city to meet to develop a priority list for field space. The meeting went well and I think the various groups seemed interested in working together to improve field availability and conditions for youth and adult leagues as well. Northampton Little League is always willing to assist the city in any way it can. We have volunteered hundreds of hours in preseason field preparation for years, contributed thousands of dollars in improvements and purchases for the fields, and worked closely with city officials to insure that kids have an enjoyable time playing baseball and softball. I hope you are successful in obtaining CPA funds for more fields. I supported the passage of the CPA in Northampton and think the children of our city should benefit from its revenue. Please let me know how Northampton Little League can help with this effort. Sincerely, Andrew Grimaldi, President Northampton Little League Jo Glading - DiLorenzo 55 Maynard Road Northampton, MA 01060 September 15, 2008 Ann -Marie Moggio Director Northampton Recreation Department Locust Street Northampton, MA 01060 Dear Ms. Moggio, I understand the Northampton Recreation Department is submitting a request for CPA funds for a feasibility study into additional playing fields for the city and on behalf of myself, and the Northampton Soccer Club, I strongly support the expansion of playing fields in Northampton. As registrar for the Northampton Soccer Club, a youth soccer program that competes in the Pioneer Valley Junior Soccer League, I help manage an organization that offers competitive travel soccer to anywhere from 250 -350 Northampton children between the ages of 8 -17 in both the spring and fall. For 25 years NSC has been a partner in the city's youth recreation efforts. Our goals are to help youngsters develop a love of the game, to teach them the individual and team skills necessary to play soccer to the best of their abilities, and to encourage life -long health, a sense of fair play, teamwork, and sportsmanship. We offer youth soccer programs at multiple levels of competition to suit the varied needs of local kids and we provide scholarships to ensure that any child who wants to play NSC soccer can, regardless of her or his ability to pay. Many of our players past and present also participate in the MAPLE Premier League, High School teams and the Massachusetts State Olympic Development Program. We rely upon both Northampton city fields and private fields at the Oxbow to provide practice grounds and playing fields. In recent years, as our club has grown, our use of the Oxbow has become increasingly unpalatable to residents abutting the Oxbow. We strongly support the addition of more city playing fields to allow us to both expand opportunities for Northampton youth and alleviate the strain on residents near the Oxbow. As a player, coach and parent I strongly support the development of additional playing fields. As development of green areas increases, the city's move to preserve and protect natural spaces and set them aside for the simple act of play will not only enhance our marvelous city's beauty but will provide healthy fun for generations to come. Sincerely, Jo Glading - DiLorenzo Registrar, Northampton Soccer Club