Grafton SuperPark

As Chairman of the Grafton SuperPark Committee and on behalf of the entire committee, I want to thank the Board of Selectmen for voting unanimously to designate 25 Worcester Street as the selected site for the new SuperPark.

The original SuperPark was a source of entertainment and recreation for many children from Grafton and beyond for many year but over time parts of the mostly wood structure fell into disrepair and were either blocked off or removed. This resulted in fewer children using the park. The old SuperPark was also not considered "accessible" for all children and as a result prevented some children from utilizing the park at all.

It is a shame that the School Project forced the old SuperPark to be torn down without providing for its replacement (that should have been thought of before tearing it down). Either way, because of the disrepair of the old park, the lack of accessibility and the materials (mostly wood) that are less safe, the town of Grafton would likely have had to undertake a rebuilding project anyway sooner rather than later.

The original SuperPark could not be rebuilt in the way or for a similar cost today even after adjusting for inflation. While I was not involved in the original project I do know that much of the material was donated and a community install saved dramatically on the original SuperPark's costs.

In order to replace the park in the true spirit of the original one "Super", we are following the steps to ensure that: 1) the materials are modern and safe; 2) that the materials are durable and less likely to splinter, crack or break down quickly; and 3) that the layout and design of the new SuperPark is considered accessible and meets all current Accessibility Standard Minimums.

The cost associated with replacing not only the core park structure but also ancilliary costs like site prep, landscaping, lighting and creating a new parking lot were not major in the original project but will require a larger investment so that we can provide all the children of Grafton with a modern and accessible place to play, learn, and have fun.

Possible funding sources include: a) Using surplus funding from the School project to replace the park that that project displaced; b) Community Preservation Funds; c) Private Sponsorship of features, benches, light-posts or even the entire park; d) grants; e) private fundraising; and f) town free cash (or a combination of all of the above).

To keep informed about our progress with the SuperPark Project or to sign up to support the new Park, go to our website www.GraftonSuperPark.com

Thanks,
Mike Scully
Chairman
Grafton SuperPark Committee

Presentation to the Board of Selectman

 [Text as presented by Mike Scully, Chairman of the SuperPark committee on July 10th, 2012]

We the members of the Grafton SuperPark Committee do hereby present our findings and official site recommendation for the new SuperPark (replacing the park torn down to make way for the new High School).

In order to fulfill our committee’s charge, to develop a full cost estimate, (including land prep, landscaping, paving, fencing, and lighting costs etc) we must hire an architect to complete a site plan by placing our final design on our selected site. We plan to apply for Community Preservation Funds to fund the hiring of an architect, so to proceed with our short timetable of bringing this project forward at the October town meeting in hopes of having SuperPark become a reality Spring of next year — we need the Board to formally vote to designate our recommended site for purposes of the new SuperPark, subject to a affirmative outcome at town meeting.

The committee has thoroughly reviewed the two site options we presented last July, scoring each in the following categories:  Access, Frontage, Visibility, Terrain, Tree Coverage, Drainage, Traffic, Location of Sidewalks, Proximity to other services, access to water/sewer & electric, public support and most importantly safety of the children who will play there as well as the protection of the towns investment into the equipment.

After this exhaustive and comprehensive review, taking into account all of these factors, the committee members voted unanimously on our official site recommendation.

We have selected the town owned, un-utilized and long time vacant lot located at 25 Worcester Street (the former HS site). We believe that 25 Worcester Street location is the most ideal and suitable location for the placement of the new Superpark.  Due to central location in town (not skewed towards one end of town), ease of access from major routes and sidewalks, visibility from the roadway with a large amount of frontage, suitable terrain, the fact the lot is clear from overgrowth and wetlands, size of property and most importantly the safety factors mentioned previously.

We ask that the Board to recognize our committee’s time investment, research and due diligence over the past year and a half by formally voting to designate 25 Worcester Street as the selected site for purposes of building a new modern and accessible SuperPark, subject to an affirmative outcome at town meeting.

Mike Scully Chairman

James Walsh Vice-Chair

Ethan Roberts Member

Cindy Ide Member

Abby Cross Member

Wendy Millet Member

Gina Dalan Member