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Board considers Sandywood Circle‑to‑Vets Park trail; private donor interest could cover six‑figure cost
Summary
A board member presented a plan to establish a bike/ped trail linking Sandywood Circle to Vets Park, with bridge quotes of about $36,000–$50,000 and a finished project estimate near $210,000; a private nonprofit signaled potential six‑figure support but accepting grants could preclude that donation.
Board discussion focused on a proposed multiuse trail connecting Sandywood Circle with Vets Park. Speaker 2 described site walks, two required bridges and pricing models and urged the board to "stake our claim" on town land before nearby lots are developed.
Speaker 2 provided cost estimates for structures and surfacing: a single smaller bridge quote of about $36,000, a larger bridge in the $50,000 range, and a finished trail build‑out estimated at roughly $210,000. The speaker said the town currently holds about $8,500 in recreation fees from a developer for the area but that a private party had offered to consider a six‑figure contribution. "They told me it could potentially be 6 figures," Speaker 2 said, while cautioning the donor must take the idea back to their board of directors.
Board members discussed staging (stone apron and split‑rail fence to mark alignment), the tradeoffs of using grant funds versus accepting private money (grants may close windows), and outreach to neighbors before construction. Several members expressed support to move forward with preliminary staking and modest upfront work (stone apron/visibility) to prevent future development from encroaching on the town easement.
Next steps: staff will explore site‑preparation options, confirm the private donor's interest, and, if appropriate, prepare cost and grant‑matching scenarios for future board review.
