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Roosevelt playground finished; town plans pathways, parking and restroom upgrades after $250,000 grant and private donation
Summary
Roosevelt's new playground structure is installed and many accessibility features were added. Commissioners reported a $250,000 state grant funded key work, about $90,000 remains in a related account for site work, and a private business has offered to resurface the basketball courts free of charge; commissioners discussed paths, accessible parking, and bathroom options.
Commissioners reported that work at Roosevelt Park is substantially complete: the playground equipment is installed and many accessible elements were included. They said the town received a $250,000 state grant that funded major construction and that roughly $90,000 remains in a 'Warren' article account to fund site work such as an accessible pathway from the bike path to the parking lot, signage and accessible parking spaces.
A local business has offered to resurface and repaint lines on the Roosevelt basketball courts at no charge; commissioners discussed whether to retain the current 90-foot outdoor court dimensions or reduce to an 84-foot layout (high-school gym standard) to create a 6-foot clearance zone for benches and accessible movement without extending further into the parking lot. Commissioners agreed to seek input from regular court users before deciding.
Members also discussed the lack of compliant restrooms at Roosevelt and other park sites. The board voted the prior evening to place one temporary restroom at Roosevelt — to be open and cleaned weekly — while longer-term options are evaluated. Commissioners discussed redoing the concession stand to include family-accessible bathrooms and recommended pre-installing sewer/drainage tie-ins now so future construction does not require repeated trenching.
Contractors working at a separate site (Turbisi) are installing a playground surface expected to be complete by Labor Day weekend; commissioners noted debate over surfacing materials, with some saying engineered mulch is currently accepted but questioning its practical accessibility. Members also flagged that insurance and inspection requirements for playgrounds are becoming more stringent and that certified inspections may be needed.
Commissioners emphasized that accessibility upgrades should be coordinated across parks, the historical museum (which has funds designated for work), and future municipal-center planning so projects align and avoid repeated excavation and escalating costs.
