POLL: New Playing Fields In Amherst?

Where do you want to play?

Cemetery Fields will no longer be used for recreation in 2014, when land will go back to the cemetery trustees and leave a large hole of recreation space in Amherst.

The Board of Selectmen is looking to fill that gap with , which will to purchase a 6.5 acre plot of land between Merrimack Road at the Route 101 overpass on the east side of 101 and the south side of Merrimack Road. The intent of the land buy is to ask voters to develop the land for recreation fields next year.

A study showed that 5,700 scheduled events happen in town each year, which averages to about 328 uses between the 17 fields in town. The proposed land purchase could fit two multi-purpose fields, a baseball diamond, two playgrounds, a walking path and 70+ parking spaces.

that this is the only piece of land available that would be suitable for developing recreation fields and playgrounds.

However, some have called for the town to use the land owned by Brad Knight, formerly known as Brewster Fields. Knight has said that his land would be a perfect solution for the town's recreation needs, but he has been met with resistance from regulations and abutters.

He believes it would be good for the community and reduce the strain on the town's infrastructure.

Some may not even see a need for the town to spend more money on any replacement for Cemetary Fields.

What do you think? Should the town purchase the land, wait and see if it can reach an agreement with Brad Knight to use his property or just skip developing new recreation land altogher?

Let us know in our poll and discuss your viewpoint in the comments below.