Fall Town Meeting To Determine Funding for New Friendship Park at Roberts Field

Friendship Park’s playground equipment is being removed due to safety concerns, and a new inclusive and accessible designed, nature themed playground is being planned to replace it. To open Summer 2018, this “fast tracked” project requires the approval of Fall Town Meeting Warrant Article 8 to fund the new playground’s design and construction.

ARTICLE 8 – To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, and/or transfer from the Community Preservation Fund a sum of money for the reconstruction, expansion and enhancement of the playground at Roberts Field; or act in relation thereto. Submitted by: Town Manager

• Seeks $450k from the Community Preservation Fund with a 10 year debt service
• Includes nature themed playground with an inclusive and accessible play environment, public design process, and "Community Build" construction
• Click to read the Town Meeting Presentation Document for Article 8
• Article approval requires 2/3 Town Meeting vote
• Community Preservation Committee, Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen all voted to support Warrant Article 8
• Click to read more about rebuilding Friendship Park and the Park's Master Plan in this Lowell Sun article

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED NOW: Click here for your Town Reps "Easy Email Links" and urge them to Vote YES on Article 8!

Rebuilding Friendship Park: Inclusive Play For All Of Chelmsford's Children

Plans to replace the playground began in 2015, along with the development of the Roberts Field Master Plan. In meetings, surveys, public input sessions and site walks, the community said it wants the new Friendship Park to be a safe, inclusive, accessible playground, which everyone of every age and ability can fully enjoy.

With input from park users, stakeholders, neighbors, abutters, Town officials and consultants, the Master Plan identified expectations for the new Friendship Park:

• ADA Compliant, inclusive design, open views, nature themed
• Larger playground: now .32 acre, maximum available footprint .89 acre
• Mix of landform and prefab “natural” playground equipment
• Match Friendship Park Inventory - same play functionality in larger open space plus natural play areas
• Separated toddler area
• Incorporate inventoried trees into design
• Segregated natural “grassy” area that can be closed off for mowing
• Shade structures with two picnic tables each, six benches
• Perimeter Fencing with front and rear openings
• Reuse engraved bricks and Playground entry structure
• Electricity, security lighting and cameras, garbage cans and bike rack
• Visual and sound mitigating landscape design for Park abutters
• Public design process ("Design Day") and Community Build construction

What Is Inclusive Design For Playgrounds?

Simply getting a child or parent with limited mobility onto the playground doesn’t necessarily enhance their play experience, nor does it take into consideration children with sensory deficits and other developmental issues. Play environments using inclusive design ensure and encourage children and families to play together, regardless of their abilities.

Inclusive design is also called Universal Design (UD) or human-centered design, and rather than using separate, specialized equipment for individuals with disabilities, UD principles envision thoughtfully-designed playgrounds with features that can be used by everyone in multiple, creative ways.

Learn more about inclusive design in this video about Yellowjacket Park in Rockwall, TX.

What is the Custom Playground Design and Construction Process?

A volunteer staffed custom "Community Built" playground provides a significant cost savings opportunity, and helps to build community pride and sense of ownership, by maximizing public input and collaboration on everything from goal setting and design through equipment assembly and maintenance. The process can also include a "Design Day", where playground designers visit schools to ask children to design their dream playgrounds and incorporate their ideas into the final design.

For more information about the Community Build process and the positive effects it has on a community, please watch the video below called "When a Playground Builds a Community" about the Eureka playground in Denton, TX.

A Playground for ALL, Vote Yes on Article 8 this Fall!

Show your support of Friendship Park by reaching out to your Town Meeting Representatives and urge them to vote YES on Article 8! Here are links to the Town Meeting Representatives' contact information, and a Precinct map to find your street and precinct.

Or click an "Easy Email Link" below to send your Town Meeting Representatives an email showing your support and asking them to vote YES on Article 8!
- Click to email all Precinct 1 Representatives
- Click to email all Precinct 2 Representatives
- Click to email all Precinct 3 Representatives
- Click to email all Precinct 4 Representatives
- Click to email all Precinct 5 Representatives
- Click to email all Precinct 6 Representatives
- Click to email all Precinct 7 Representatives
- Click to email all Precinct 8 Representatives
- Click to email all Precinct 9 Representatives

Attend "Save Friendship Park Rally" sign stand-outs and volunteer sign-ups. Make and bring your own signs, or hold one of ours. Parents and kids are invited! Help spread the word!

Town Meeting Information Session - Wed, Oct 11th, 6-7pm North Town Hall (31 Princeton Street)

Fall Town Meeting - Mon, Oct 16th, 6:30 - 7:30pm Senior Center (75 Groton Road)

Attend Fall Town Meeting and show your support for Article 8 when it is presented and voted upon

Questions? Please email us for more information about any of these important support efforts.

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Join Us and Help Build A New Friendship Park

To meet our June 2018 Playground Grand Opening date, there is a TON of work to do with lots of interesting and meaningful volunteer opportunities throughout the process. Please click here to sign-up for our volunteer email list, and click here to sign-up for our email news list.