New Designs to Jackass Park Could Cost Hingham Thousands

The Department of Public Works raised concerns of  how the town of Hingham would pay for the maintenance of the new proposed for Jackass Park.

At Tuesday’s Selectmen meeting, Shirley Rydell, the chairwoman of the Shade Tree committee presented the new designs for the park, which included the additions of  large Maple trees, a perennial flower and shrub bed at each end of the park, and the addition of River Birch, which will have the second pink dogwood in their midst.

The Garden club has offered to pay for the park’s construction and plant materials, but town officials will not be able to pay for the maintenance of the park, located where Main Street joins with Hersey Street and Hobart Street.

DPW Superintendent Randy Sylvester said the new park would cost the town thousands of dollars a year which is not in the DPW’s budget. 

“I’m not against this project at all,” Sylvester said.  “I’m responsible fiscally down the road for the tax payers. I see some stuff going on down the line.”

Sylvester said if the park were renovated, the town would then have to pay for more mulching and weeding which would require manpower, as a heavy machine would not be able to fit on the park.  Sylvester also said the additions to the park would include a water system which could cost the town an additional $400 a year.

Selectmen Laura Burns was real impressed by the proposed designs but she also questioned where the money would come from to pay for the maintenance.

“The price tag does set me back on my heels just a bit,” Burns said.

Chairman John Riley proposed an idea that maybe volunteers can maintain the park and said the project will be further discussed next week.  In the meantime Town Administrator Ted Alexiades will look at the finances more closely.

Pictures of the proposed renovations to Jackass Park can be viewed at the Town Hall.