Recreation commission recommends green-space-first plan for former church parcel after limited survey

The Recreation Commission on Wednesday endorsed advancing a modest, low‑maintenance plan for the town‑owned former Upper County Church property — identifying open green space, a perimeter walking path, a small playground and picnic area as a preferred first phase — while reserving space for potential later amenities such as a basketball court.

Paul, a commission member, said the parcel was purchased to prevent dense development and must be handled carefully. “This property was bought for $2,300,000 to prevent 80 apartments going in there because it couldn't take it,” he said, urging a restrained approach that respects maintenance capacity and neighborhood preferences.

Why it matters: commissioners said the town’s Department of Public Works (DPW) capacity, police sight-line and wetland restrictions mean an irrigated, heavily programmed park would create ongoing budget and maintenance obligations. Commissioners argued that a simpler initial build would reduce long‑term costs while delivering visible improvements to the neighborhood.

What the commission heard: the town advancement committee’s outreach returned 23 completed questionnaires, which members described as too few and geographically concentrated. Commissioners discussed additional outreach tactics — door‑to‑door leafleting, lobby drop offs at apartment complexes, and school backpack inserts — to reach North‑side residents and renters who may not have seen the online survey.

Commission members repeatedly emphasized constraints the Select Board and DPW will likely impose, and urged staff to frame future surveys and design work within clear parameters. “If the survey were organized against those degrees of freedom as opposed to ‘everything is possible,’ you won’t get the best result,” one commissioner said.

Process and next steps: the commission asked the advancement committee to refine its list into a short, prioritized package of options that recreation staff and DPW can cost and assess for maintenance. Commissioners recommended the Select Board consider a design‑fund allocation at its upcoming meeting; several members said they expect the Select Board to review department‑head feedback in January.

Votes at a glance: the commission approved routine minutes earlier in the meeting by voice vote and adjourned by voice vote at the close of the session.

What remains unresolved: neighbors’ preferences for several potential active amenities — notably a basketball court — will require additional local outreach. Commissioners recommended treating such amenities as “phase 2” features contingent on stronger neighborhood signaling and Select Board direction.