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Recreation director seeks $100,000 from CPC to add accessible surfacing at Father Mac playground
Summary
Sam White asked the committee for $100,000 of a roughly $175,000 project to replace mulch with accessible turf at Father Mac playground (6,780 sq ft); the Recreation Department said DPW will do preparatory work and the contractor will install surfacing in late summer/early fall 2026.
Sam White, director of the Recreation Department, presented on Jan. 14 a request for $100,000 in CPA funds toward a $175,000 project to replace wood-fiber mulch with accessible turf at Father Mac playground.
"Our goal is to install accessible surfacing for Father Mac Playground," White said, noting the playground’s heavy daily use and that mulch does not provide appropriate access for people using wheelchairs. He described a timeline in which DPW performs site prep (removing wood chips and building a concrete border) and a contractor installs turf in early to mid‑September 2026, with final curing and inspection by mid‑October.
White said the recreation budget would fund long‑term maintenance and that DPW would contribute roughly $75,000 for preparatory work. He estimated the playground area at 6,780 square feet and detailed the benefit to users including pool visitors, summer programs and weekend events.
Committee members asked about material choices: poured rubber vs. turf, warranties (roughly 10 years mentioned for some vendors) and accessibility from nearby sidewalks. White said turf offers easier maintenance and factory quality control compared with site‑mixed poured rubber and agreed to examine adding a crushed‑stone access path with DPW to improve wheelchair access.
The committee did not finalize funding at the hearing; White’s presentation will be included in Town Meeting materials for voter consideration.
