Date: Fri 04-Jun-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

parks-recreation-Elm-Drive

Full Text:

Firm To Study Uses For Town-Owned Elm Drive Property

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The Parks & Recreation Commission plans to hire a landscape architect later

this summer to conduct a feasibility study on the town-owned Amaral property

along Elm Drive.

Feeling the field space shortage more than ever these days, sports enthusiasts

are anxious to find out if the land is usable for ball fields. Newtown's field

shortage has become a serious issue and has begun to create tension among the

various sports groups.

The long, narrow field along Elm Drive and adjacent to Dickinson Park was a

key acquisition by the Parks & Recreation Commission two years ago this week.

When purchased, it was hoped that the 13-acre parcel would provide the needed

space for ball fields. However, the property is oddly shaped and precise

design plans need to be in place. There are also some wetland areas on the

property which could further complicate the situation. Parking spaces must

also be provided.

Four landscape architects have submitted bids and are currently being

considered by the Parks & Rec Commission. They are TPA Design Group of New

Haven, Milone and MacBroom of Cheshire, FMA Partnership of New Hartford, and

Ferrero Hixon Associates of Simsbury.

The feasibility study will determine placement and type of ball field(s) best

suited for the property. From there, plans need to be drawn up and eventually

the commission will ask the Legislative Council for funding. There may be

enough room there for two soccer/lacrosse fields, said Parks & Recreation

Director Barbara Kasbarian. It costs about $100,000 to build a new ball field.

"If we get the study done within the next few months, we would probably put

money into the following budget (2000-2001)," said Mrs Kasbarian.

The former Amaral property extends in a triangular shape in a northerly

direction from Dickinson Park to the point where Elm Drive and Deep Brook Road

intersect at the Village Cemetery. The lot lies just north of the Dickinson

Park tennis courts.

The property was purchased from the Amaral family for $400,000 using Iroquois

Land Preservation and Enhancement Program (LPEP) money. It was hoped that it

would provide the needed space for fields.

Currently, there are 25 ball fields in Newtown that are available to the town.

However, most of the fields are on school property, often causing scheduling

problems. More than 1,200 children take part in Newtown's soccer programs

which are played on local fields in the spring, summer, and fall. Fields have

become overcrowded with practices and games bumping up against one another.

Before hiring a firm, the Parks & Recreation Commission will need to seek

funding from the Legislative Council.

New Bathrooms Delayed

The new bathrooms at Dickinson Park were supposed to be completed by now, but

the toilets have not yet been installed and may be delayed until well after

summer camp begins.

The Parks & Recreation Commission put the estimated $100,000 project out for

bid earlier this spring but nobody bid on it, according to Mrs Kasbarian.

"We'll have to go out again. We're hoping to have it ready before camp starts,

but it doesn't look too promising," she said.

The plan is to eliminate the existing bathrooms at the park's pavilion. The

new facilities will be about the same size as the old ones but will be

accessible to handicapped persons.