2020-09-16-REC-min (includes attachments)

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2 maintain the athletic fields during these months and it is essential that this has a minimal impact on the condition of the fields for the Spring 2021 season, so all options will need to be considered. Ms. O'Brien asked if there is a working group for all of these field -related topics. Ms. Battite answered no, but that there are regular communications and meetings and that David Coelho, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, has been involved throughout the process. Ellen Cameron, liaison to the Council on Aging, provided a few quick updates. The neighbor reach out is scheduled for Monday, September 28th. Fall programs are up and running and there has been a strong turnout for the virtual programs. Ms. Cameron asked if the new emergency blue box at the Center Recreation Complex was operational. Ms. Battite indicated that the device has not been automated and that the AED is not in there yet. The AED will need to be weatherized and checked weekly, so staff is working on putting the appropriate operating procedures in place. 4. Sutherland Playground presentation Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation, gave a presentation on the Sutherland Playground project and the presentation slides are attached to the meeting minutes. The current playground was installed back in 2000. Based on observations from staff, this playground is used extensively by the neighborhood and while routine maintenance is performed throughout the year, the playground is beginning to show signs of aging. Funding for this project was approved at the 2020 Annual Town Meeting and the scope includes the removal and demolition of the existing playground, installation of new play features, creating an accessible route to the player areas at the Little League field, and extending the existing asphalt path to the water fountain near the entrance to the park. Given the pride that the neighborhood has with the park, the Department has been seeking input and feedback from the neighborhood about what features they would like to see included in the new playground and abutters were notified about the meeting. Mr. Coleman reported that in recent months, staff have been working with three playground vendors and the vendors developed various conceptual plans with potential designs and layouts for the new playground and the amenities and components the new playground will feature. A total of four options were submitted and Mr. Coleman gave a brief overview of each one. While all of the options were appealing for different reasons, the consensus among the Committee members was that Option C would be the best one to move forward with. This option, which is nature -based, provides various play elements for children ages 2-12 and is unique and outside -of -the -box in its theme, as compared to the other playgrounds in town. While no vote was necessary, the feedback received from the Committee will guide the staff's final decision with the ultimate goal being that the new Sutherland Playground will provide access and play experiences to people of all ages and abilities. The project is scheduled to begin in November with a target end date of early April 2021. 5. Playing Field & Related Facility Permit Policy A draft of the revised outdoor recreation facility permit policy is attached to the meeting minutes. Melissa Battite indicated that staff has been working on editing and revising this document for the past several months. Hard court surfaces (basketball courts, tennis/pickleball courts, and Center Track) have been incorporated into the policy and other items such as a heat index policy and snow removal policy will be reviewed and included prior to the 2021 season. After a brief discussion, Rick DeAngelis, chairman of the Recreation Committee, suggested that the policy be more thoroughly reviewed and voted on at the October Recreation Committee meeting. 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421