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Parkboard unveils redesigned park plan, asks community input on tennis vs. pickleball layout
Summary
Parkboard showed preliminary renderings that disguise septic mounds with play topography, propose continuous accessible walkways, retain the baseball field, and offer alternative court layouts (two tennis + two pickleball or four pickleball + one tennis). The board asked residents for tennis feedback as planners finalize design and pricing.
Parkboard member Paul presented the first design concepts from the planning partner selected after prior public meetings and an RFI. The preliminary plan incorporates community input and proposes a continuous, accessible walkway, two "great lawn" open spaces (one to preserve the baseball backstop), and play mounds to visually integrate existing septic mounds. The design consolidates courts and contemplates new amenities such as bocce (botchi) ball and a pergola/pavilion that could serve as a small stage or movie venue.
A central tension in the discussion was court layout: planners provided options ranging from two full tennis courts plus two dedicated pickleball courts to a space-efficient design with four pickleball courts and a single tennis court. Parkboard members noted regional trends favoring pickleball but emphasized the town still has active tennis users and that noise from pickleball is a known neighborhood concern. "Tennis is not going away. There 100% will be at least one full-size tennis court striped just for tennis," Paul said, while inviting tennis players to provide feedback before the board finalizes a preferred footprint and possible phasing options.
Funding discussions included phased construction and a potential state match program that could match community donations up to $50,000, which the board said might help accelerate later phases. Parkboard plans to present two-dimensional plans and 3D renderings to the public at Fourth of July events and continue public meetings before finalizing a contract or timeline.
