Legacy Playground at Greeley Park, an Update

This Tuesday evening, after much public comment, the BOA considered legislation to amend the location being considered for Legacy Playground to the site for the current playground equipment at Greeley Park. They sent the legislation back to infrastructure for further consideration.

Ultimately the Infrastructure committee is the committee from which the final plan will come, for final vote by the BOA. It is also the committee in which a public hearing would occur. The next meeting of the Infrastructure Committee will be at 7pm on Wednesday April 23rd. It was proposed that there be a public hearing of a site plan on April 26th, but the date of a hearing remains uncertain until the Board of Aldermen act to schedule one.

Alderman Diane Sheehan stepped up and made the motion to amend the proposed location, in shared commitment to considering community feedback with the LGN project leaders, to reflect the existing playground site, as well as to schedule a public hearing. Until then the only real possible outcome for the meeting was further delay, and a focus on the proposal for a paid study which would cost about $5,000 and would be done by an outside human design firm.

Many folks came to speak that evening, the majority of which supported Greeley Park as the location they would like to see a full presentation for, without further delay. A number of folks who live in proximity to the park advocated for the Board of Aldermen to support commissioning a study of a number of area parks, including Greeley park - most citing that they felt professional advice was not sought in the selection process that the Leadership Greater Nashua class of 2012 and Board of Public Works collaborated on last year. Chris Williams, CEO of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, raised concerns that additional study would likely delay the legislative process for a number of months, and push back possible fundraising efforts past the spring fundraising season, and into the fall fundraising season. The likely result would be delaying the playground construction into 2015. Many community members also advocated that the paid study was not something that they were interested in seeing, including at least 7 professionals who work serving folks with a range of disabilities right here in our community.

The BOA wants answers/solutions for a number of concerns, we all do, but the fact that LGN is closer now to the opportunity to assure the BOA and public with their plan is one more step forward. The study legislation did not see a final vote, and was sent to the finance committee where it will be discussed at their 4/16 meeting. The public is welcome, and will have an opportunity to comment.

It was duly noted that of the 2.5 year process, the BOA has only had their hands on this for 3 months. The main time factor to date was the length of deliberation in the BPW, but also the responsiveness to what came out of those discussions on the part of LGN 2012.

I can not overstate how much the public's support had to do with the outcome of last night's meeting.

I have confidence that the capable Leadership Greater Nashua class of 2012 will provide a thorough and considerate plan when the time comes. I look forward to seeing that they have come prepared to answer the questions that the board and community have so we can move forward with accepting this great gift for our wonderful Greeley Park, which will make it more welcoming to everyone.