Parking Upgrade Proposed for Gonzalez Field Renovation

DEDHAM, MA — The $2.4 million renovation of Gonzalez Field could see an increase in parking.

In an update given at a recent selectmen meeting, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Dan Hart told the board that parking could put the project over budget. Currently, plans for the field includes addressing the issue of handicap accessibility by allowing access from the High Street side of the field. The current budget will allow the project to move forward with a lit turf field and more green space.

"We wanted to create a facility that wasn’t just an athletic field, but a park-like complex," Hart said.

The current proposal reduces parking in the lower lot from 44 spaces to 34, but another proposal adds 30 spaces to the upper lot off of Route 1. Hart says he expects the lower lot to be used by residents and the upper lot to be used by out-of-town visitors.

Michael Butler said he's not a fan of the plan to reduce space because of the need for parking in the Dedham Square area.

"I would lobby not to reduce spaces from the current amount because the parking lots will be full even with the additional spaces, which means there will be fewer spaces for the customers of the businesses," Butler said. "You can go through Dedham Square at 4:30 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. and everything is full."

If the project obtains the funding for extra parking, it will have to be through a capital expenditure approved or at Town Meeting.

The board will revisit the issue at their next meeting.

Image: File photo