Hampden council hears conceptual plan for pool-area recreation site, pavilion and trail

The chair opened a public input session on a conceptual recreation plan the town has begun sketching for the parcel behind the municipal pool and said the FY26 budget includes money set aside for a conceptual plan. "I just want to stress that this is conceptual," the chair said, noting no immediate construction is committed.

Amy Young, the presenter, walked attendees through a rough layout showing about a half-mile, eight-foot gravel walking trail routed to avoid wetlands, an adult softball field, a pavilion intended to provide electrical service and concessions, and space that could accommodate a relocated playground and a possible splash pad. "We're staying out of the wetlands," Young said, describing constraints the pipeline and wetland areas place on where improvements can go.

The pavilion concept drew attention because it was proposed to serve multiple uses. Staff described a covered, concrete-floored pavilion that could host summer concerts and be flooded in winter to create a seasonal skating surface without mechanical refrigeration. A staff member said there would be no mechanical refrigeration and explained the current idea is a shallow ring around a poured floor that could be flooded by the fire department and allowed to freeze naturally on cold winters.

Permitting and stormwater requirements were flagged as key technical constraints. Town staff said the site’s state permit is currently in its seventh year of a seven-year authorization and that any new parking or facilities would require an amendment to the DEP permit and appropriate stormwater mitigation.

Residents and councilors pressed staff on practical matters. Attendees asked how the plan would mesh with a proposed recreation center that is sited near the pool; staff said the rec center is proposed where the existing gazebo sits and the proposed amenities would be relocated to the new footprint so the two facilities would not overlap. The presenter also described utility access from Western Avenue to minimize trenching across the site and said the sketch shows roughly 100,000 square feet of developable area in the study box.

Noise and parking were recurring concerns. One resident, who said tree removal on February 24, 2024, had already disturbed nearby homes, urged careful management of amplified sound and trail access rules: "Don't aim it towards my house, please," the resident said, and asked that the group consider time limits, leash rules and the placement of any public-address system. Staff noted DEP reviews can include sound considerations and said concerts known to the town have historically been small, daytime or early-evening performances rather than waterfront-scale shows.

On costs, staff said no firm estimates exist because the plan remains conceptual; councilors and attendees suggested pursuing community-development grants and foundation support to reduce the local taxpayer share, and one councilor urged the town to set aside modest annual funds to phase construction over time. The presenter said site-scale, phasing and priorities will be refined through council workshops and will inform future budget requests.

Next steps: staff will incorporate public input into work products to guide budget discussions, continue internal staff review (including public-safety review for access and emergency vehicle circulation), and return to the council for direction. The chair closed the recorded public portion and invited residents to view the plans after the meeting and to send additional comments to staff or councilors.