Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves pedal park and funds pickleball courts and parking using landfill-settlement funds
Summary
New Milford approved up to $155,000 for a toddler/child pedal park at John Petty Bone Community Center and authorized funding for three outdoor pickleball courts plus parking and ADA improvements. The pickleball/parking package (to be paid from the landfill-settlement fund if approved by board of finance and town meeting) was amended and approved at $566,000.
The New Milford Town Council approved two park projects on Feb. 9: a toddler and child pedal-bike track at the John Petty Bone Community Center and a package of three outdoor pickleball courts with associated parking rehabilitation and ADA access.
Pedal park: Public works staff presented a site concept for a compact, ADA-accessible stone-track pedal park with manufacturer-installed features (ramps, tunnels, low obstacles) designed for young children. The council authorized up to $155,000 for the pedal park; staff said much of the site work will be done in-kind by the Department of Public Works and the project includes sidewalks, benches and bike racks.
Pickleball and parking: Council then considered three post-tension concrete pickleball courts with lighting, fencing, shade structures and a connected parking-lot rehabilitation and ADA-access improvements. Initial construction estimates for courts and site work were presented; the council approved funding for the courts and then amended the motion to include parking. The full pickleball-plus-parking package will be funded from the town—s landfill-settlement fund subject to board of finance and town-meeting approval; the amended total authorized at the meeting was $566,000.
Officials said the parking-lot rehabilitation would convert gravel/dirt parking into 26 additional formal spaces, upgrade ADA stalls and pedestrian connections, and add sidewalks to link the playground and new pedal park to the parking area. Staff emphasized that the projects are intended to increase recreational access and meet ADA transition-plan goals.
Next steps: Staff will pursue grant opportunities, finalize design and solicit construction bids. For the pickleball package, the council—s approval authorizes the request to the Board of Finance and a town meeting appropriation if the board approves funding from the landfill-settlement account.
Quotes and context: "This is going to be a great place for kids," said a council member during the discussion. Public works staff and consultants emphasized long-term durability for the pickleball courts (post-tension concrete with warranties) and a maintenance plan that relies primarily on town crews.
