Williamsville parks committee presents budget-ready list of small and long-term projects

Julie Flanagan, chair of the village parks committee, presented the committee’s recommendations to the Village of Williamsville Board at a Feb. 10 work session, asking trustees to consider a mix of small purchases and longer-term projects as they set the parks budget.

The committee front‑loaded affordable, actionable items — replacing soccer netting, buying a movable or permanent baseball backstop for South Long Park, installing concrete chess tables at Island Park, and replacing sandboxes with lidded models — while noting larger projects such as a permanent walkway from the Hawk signal to Island Park and cleanup of the parcel behind the train depot remain longer‑term priorities.

Why it matters: committee members said the package is intended to be realistic for the current budget year while still spelling out a longer vision for park upgrades. Flanagan said the group intentionally focused on items that are “doable” rather than “pie in the sky” projects such as a pool. The recommendations were submitted to the board to inform appropriation decisions in the village’s upcoming budget process.

Key details

- Small equipment and repairs: The committee listed replacing soccer netting and acquiring either a movable or permanent backstop. Flanagan said the committee provided vendor pictures and approximate costs for trustees to review and emphasized the village should weigh storage and liability for a movable unit.

- Chess tables: Flanagan proposed permanently fixed concrete chess tables at South Long Park and supplied two style options — a more ornate iron bench style and a lower‑maintenance concrete stool design — and recommended permanent bolting to concrete pads to deter theft.

- Sandboxes: The committee recommended replacing the existing sandboxes at Island Park (priority) and Garrison Park with models that include secure lids to reduce contamination and pests; the presented sample included a heavy tarp or bolted lid system.

- Landscaping and bioswales: The committee urged expanded shrub/flower bed maintenance across parks and said a local resident with planting expertise will work with DPW and volunteers on pilot bioswale projects and an adopt‑a‑planter program.

- Walkway and depot parcel: Flanagan reiterated interest in a permanent walkway linking Main Street to Island Park (along the east side of the Blackbird parking area) to avoid pedestrians crossing the lot, and noted the parcel behind the train depot — described as currently used for storage and debris — is included in a New York Forward plan and could be reclaimed for parking or events in a future phase.

Budget and next steps

Village staff told the committee there is money left in the parks budget (staff cited $50,044.07 remaining in the parks improvement account) and recommended the village obtain formal quotes for the highest‑priority items. Trustees said routine items such as painting benches and shrub bed maintenance are feasible in the near term; larger items will require quotes, possible competitive bidding and inclusion in the capital planning process. Flanagan said the committee can help obtain vendor pricing and assist placement planning if trustees authorize moving forward.

Community and safety notes

Trustees and staff raised liability and placement issues for any backstop installed in multipurpose turf areas and emphasized coordination with DPW for storage and seasonal removal if a movable unit is chosen. Committee members noted pockets of overgrown brush around the pavilion and the creek viewpoint that limit visibility to the water and suggested targeted clearing to improve views while retaining natural areas.

Ending

Flanagan said the committee will report back with any additional information trustees request, including vendor quotes and suggested installation sites. Trustees indicated they will review the packet, consider budget appropriations in the upcoming budget cycle and return recommendations to the parks committee for placement and timing.