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Parks and Recreation committee highlights playground upgrades, pickleball expansion and beach accessibility
Summary
The council received the Parks & Recreation committee's annual report on May 12, which summarized recent playground renovations, a permanent outdoor pickleball project, beach access improvements at Sandy Point and a package of community events and grants.
The Portsmouth Town Council received and placed on file the Parks & Recreation Committee's annual report on May 12 after a presentation by committee member David Fiorello.
Key items in the report included: - Glen Park playground: The committee said a phased installation is underway. Phase one (equipment and an ADA-access ramp) opened in December; phase two work is scheduled for this summer, and phase three is being requested in a future capital-improvement program (CIP) request. - Turnpike and Frank Carson playgrounds: The committee reported neighborhoods'driven work at Turnpike and removal of aging equipment and brush clearing at Frank Carson playground, with additional equipment planned. - Pickleball: With a grant and local match, the town striped two high-school tennis courts to yield four permanently striped outdoor pickleball courts; indoor and outdoor programs are in development and will be run by the Parks & Rec director as demand grows. - Sandy Point and Macquarie beaches: Sandy Point received a widened walkway, a wheelchair deck on the sand and purchase of a beach-capable ADA chair; the committee suggested future concessions or rentals could be explored. Macquarie remains residents-only with signage and no lifeguards. - Grants and revenue: The committee cited multiple small grants including a $5,000 award ("powered by the Prince" fitness grant), a Merit Neighborhood Fund award (~$1,250) for ADA picnic furnishings at Glen Park and a $2,389.79 Rhode Island Parks Association matching grant used for pickleball striping.
The committee noted that the Parks & Rec department operates with two full-time staff plus seasonal employees and contrasted Portsmouth's staffing and budget with neighboring Bristol, which operates a roughly $1.1 million budget and larger staff.
The council voted 7 to 0 to receive the report and place it on file. Committee members and staff told the council they will continue to seek grant funding and community partnerships to expand programming and maintenance without substantially increasing the town operating budget.
Speakers and presenters included David Fiorello (Parks & Rec Committee), Wendy (Parks and Recreation Director) and April (assistant), and the report was received by a unanimous council vote.
