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Parks board discusses Roberts/Burge Pond boardwalk, interim safety fixes and fundraising
Summary
Commissioners and community members discussed interim repairs, liability, and fundraising for the Roberts/Burge Pond boardwalk after the city acquired part of the property; staff urged engineering oversight and signaled capital funding steps tied to the city budget process.
The Bristol Parks & Recreation Commission on March 18 reviewed plans and fundraising for the Roberts/Burge Pond boardwalk after the city purchased six of 12 acres near the Hopper and Burgess Pond area.
Superintendent Josh McDowell told the board they had received a nonprofitcertificate of insurance and were prepared to sign a maintenance MOU with the group, while the citysaid it financed the land acquisition from land-grant funds. McDowell also said the city will continue to seek a state MOU for a Rockwell Park revitalization grant and is optimistic some elements will be funded in the coming budget cycle.
Community members who spoke urged short-term patching to make the boardwalk safer while awaiting full design and capital funding. One speaker said such interim fixes could include leveling, replacing boards, and installing posts to reduce immediate hazards. Commissioners agreed the nonprofit could fundraise and perform limited repairs but emphasized the board must keep "closed" signage in place until the city inspects and accepts work. McDowell said the city would require the nonprofitprovide insurance for any approved repairs and would not remove closures until it deemed the structure safe.
Board members pressed for engineering review before any donor-funded work proceeds. McDowell outlined the likely capital timeline: if the city appropriates design money on July 1, staff would bid a designer, conduct design and cost estimating, then bid construction, putting realistic construction as early as a year after appropriation. He also said dam replacement work tied to the site could be substantial, with current internal estimates approaching just under $1 million for that component.
Commissioners and the public voiced support for preserving the loop trail, restoring wetlands-adjacent boardwalk segments and stabilizing trail approaches, but warned that a "couple planks" approach would not be sufficient for long-term durability. Several asked staff to seek public-works and engineering guidance to ensure donor contributions are used in ways that will not require rework once formal capital funding arrives.
The board did not take a formal vote on a capital appropriation at the meeting; staff said the next procedural step is finalizing the MOU signatures and coordinating with the board of finance, which makes final land purchase approvals during its joint session.
