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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-19-REC-min-att.16664*09 Lexington RECREATION & COMMUNITY P R UG 1A115. Town of Lexington Recreation and Community Programs Melissa Battite, CPRP Tel: 781-698-4800 Director of Recreation and Community Programs Fax: 781-861-2747 Recreation & Community Programs April 2023 Report Save the Dates: o April 291h — Lexington Little League Opening Day Parade o May 12th — Special Olympics Field Day at the Center Track & Field Old Business: o Please be advised Governor Healey signed a bill that continues remote and hybrid meeting provisions that were enacted during the pandemic. The new law extends pandemic -related authorizations that were set to expire on March 31 as follows: ■ Allowing remote and hybrid meeting options for public bodies through March 31, 2025 • Allowing remote and hybrid participation options for representative town meetings through March 31, 2025 • Permitting reduced quorums for open town meetings through March 31, 2025 o Worthen Road practice field — Lexington Public Schools are interested in developing the Worthen Road practice field into a throwing practice area for the Track and Field teams. LPS has indicated that there is capital funding to support this project. LPS will likely be coming to the Recreation Committee during a future meeting to discuss. Staff Updates: o The Recreation Supervisor position has been vacant since September 2022. A verbal offer was made and accepted and we anticipate onboarding a new Recreation Supervisor on/about May, 1, 2023. o Interviews for seasonal summer staff are in progress and the summer staff will be finalized in the next month. Therapeutic Recreation: o Assisting the Library with the Sensory Friendly Hour of the Fairy Tale Ball o Tia Zanardi, the Therapeutic Recreation intern will be completing her 560 hour formal internship on April 21St. Tia has done a fabulous job supporting Therapeutic Recreation programming and services and will be graduating from Regis College this May! www.Iexingtonma.gov/recreation recdept@Iexingtonma.Rov 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MA 02421 (office) 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 (mail) o A donation program has been set up to collect prizes for motivational rewards. This program has been extremely successful with many donations from the community. The donations are sanitized with the help of the Cotting School volunteers. Programs • Spring Adult Fitness classes began the week of April 10th. Close to 400 participants are registered for the session. • A Fairy House Workshop was held on April 711, faciliatating nature play and art as well as building momentum for Lexington's Fairy House Tour May 27 — 29tH • Programs that are being offered this week during the April school vacation week include a multi -sports clinic at the Fiske School and R.A.D. self defense for kids, chess, and Right Brain Curriculum MetroCraft programs at the Community Center. • The spring NFL FLAG Football League will begin on Sunday, April 30th. There will be 20 teams and 225 participants this spring. • Moms on the Mound softball will start on Sunday, May 7th and the Co -Ed Softball League is set to begin on Monday, May Stn Budget & Capital • ATM —The consent agenda, which included (3) Recreation Enterprise Fund retained earnings requests (Article 11) as well as the Bridge School field renovation/ADA improvements (Article 10j) and Justin Park playground replacement (Article 10k), as well as the Lincoln Park field improvements project (Article 10i) and funding for the design/engineering work associated with the Pine Meadows clubhouse renovation (Article 16g) have all been approved at Town Meeting. Projects • The Lincoln Park Master Plan stakeholders group will be meeting later this month to review initial concept and design ideas. It is anticpated that a final draft will be available for Recreation Committee review sometime in May or June. • Center Restrooms/DPW Maintenance Building —this project is now underway and is estimated to be completed later this spring. • Town Pool Water Heater Replacement — this will be completed in May 2023. • Old Reservoir Bathhouse — some test holes were drilled on Tuesday, April 18th. The project will go out to bid in the near future and it is anticipated that the new bathhouse will be installed in Fall 2023. • Kinneens Playground — the new playground is tentatively scheduled to be installed in September 2023. Facilities: • Aquatics o The Swimming Pool and Reservoir will begin preseason opening the week of April 24tH o Swim lesson registration for Session 1 (June 19th -29th) opened on April 4th and a majority of the classes have already filled. • Pine Meadows Golf Course o The Course is now open for the season. The capital improvements made during the fall of 2022 are in great shape and managed the winter season well. Community Center o On Saturday, April 8, the Community Center hosted the annual LexSEPTA Resouce Fair. LexRec, as well as 25 other providers, had tables and resources available for the Community. Kate and her TR team were onsite to staff a "Kid Zone" so parents could drop off while visiting the vendors. o It was National Public Health Week beginning April 3rd. LexRec partnered with the Health Department to provide free activities at the Community Center. Forty people registered and participated in Drums Alive, Yoga, Zumba and an outdoor fitness circuit. o The outdoor tent is expected to be installed on May 1st. We are excited to have this amenity for another year to maximize outdoor programming. Parks, Fields, & Playgrounds • Parks o The restrooms at Lincoln Park have been de -winterized and opened for the season on Thursday, March 30tH • Athletic Fields o All field layouts for soccer, lacrosse, baseball/softball, ultimate frisbee, and cricket were completed in recent weeks. • Hard Court Surfaces: o Resident spring tennis/pickleball memberships have sold out. A total of 200 memberships were sold. o The Battle Green Tennis League season began on Monday, April 17th. There are 62 members registered for the abbreviated season. o The permitted court time for the Lexington Pickleball Club is set to begin on Monday, April 24th MINUTEMAN BIKEWAY REGIONAL WAYFINDING SIGNAGE EAST LEXINGTON VILLAGE MARCH 15, 2023 STATED GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The Minuteman Regional Wayfinding signing initiative aims to enable and maintain a focus on the three communities to improve economic opportunities for businesses and provide bikeway users a safe haven and access to essential public services through a new and consistent use of identification and directional bikeway signage that direct users to and from the three communities. Objectives to be included: • Create a cohesive signage and wayfinding system that directs bikeway users to businesses • Design and install map kiosk near major bikeway access points to the business districts • Increase the number of people exiting the bikeway at the three business districts • Provide greater awareness of the offerings available for bikeway users in the three business districts • Create wayfinding signage that can be easily updated Elements to be included: • The Minuteman bikeway logo • Directional signs orienting users toward the business district • Icons indicating food and retail • Distance in miles or travel time by bike or by foot DEVELOPMENT PHASE TASK 1: Kickoff Meeting and Site Survey Stakeholder involvement is critical in building consensus and momentum behind the development and implementation of the signing program. The project started with a group meeting with stakeholders from the three communities to review and help define the scope of work and review design draft concepts and like -type projects. TASK 2: Wayfinding Strategy and Concept Development Review of materials, related maps, and business districts, engineering plans helped us understand the context in defining elements required of the three business districts. Discussion with staff helped to brainstorm concepts, discuss strategies, and possible design solutions based on our development of like -type signing projects. TASK 3: Wayfinding Design Development Design development of a wayfinding system of sign types includes entrance signs, information kiosks, and directional signs with different messaging content for the three business districts. Design development elements include design standard application of the bikeway logo, graphic style of maps, graphic layouts with typography, color scheme, materials, and fabrication techniques to provide a unique, cohesive visual identity for the program. TASK 4: Project Reporting This report represents our recommendations for the design of the wayfinding program, submitted for review and approval to allow the continued effort for the final design of the various signs with content for implementation in PHASE 2. MINUTEMAN BIKEWAY A Regional Wayfinding Signage Project - East Lexington Section Dawson Associates 03-15-2023 RELEVANT EXAMPLES � FART est- LK 1. r"&W .s.aurr tat The Fort Norfolk District,inNotioWsfo= tri" Atlantic Citvneighbothood,isoneofstx'. downtotmdistrictsestab"hedbr ndoi: City of Norfolk in 2013, Histoncfot�.ost anchors the waterfront in aiet} has district, NarfolkHisto sweskmv�o'� artneredt�ththeUnited Viand p ce1991top� ,.rFnoinlerssill _.xottNodok ENTRANCE MARKER r" /AUGUSTACANAL "r DIRECTIONAL N ORFoL9 -110 POINTER BLADE SIGN 0 C m ow ANOW O3 U r C 3 r9 Granby Connector 44a;k,iay ro Grady J'(rco! -� MAP KIOSKS DIRECTIONAL N ORFoL9 -110 POINTER BLADE SIGN 0 C m ow ANOW O3 U r C 3 r9 Granby Connector 44a;k,iay ro Grady J'(rco! -� EAST LEXINGTON Amok 1p Identity ID1 Kiosk K1 Directional D1 Directional D2 Directional D3 Directional D3 Directional D2 Information Kiosk K1 Identity ID1 Trail Directional D1 Directional D2 I MINUTEMAN BIKEWAY 4 Regional Wayfinding Signage Project -East Lexington Section Dawson Associates 03-15-2023 IDENTITY ELEMENTS Logo Serif Rawlinson MINUTEMAN BIKEWAY an Serif Myriad BUSINESS DISTRICT Color Interstate Blue MINUTEMAN BIKEWAY A Regional Wayfinding Signage Project - East Lexington Section Dawson Associates 03-15-2023 MINUTEMAN BIKEWAY A Regional Wayfinding Signage Project - East Lexington Section Dawson Associates 03-15-2023 KIOSK K1 MINUTEMAN BIKEWAY ARegional Wayfnding Signage Project -East Lexington Section Dawson Associates 03-15-2023 40 KIOSK K1 west to Lexington T Center w i Cha des r�ea So -e et 0 gton Parking > Lot ® H1a5, m D m Yoace ® *herue;°w Bikey " Entrance Bow STREET Ea a to hngton y H Heights VIEW WEST - SIDE ONE - BUSINESS CONTENT CONCEPT NOT ART VIEW EAST - SIDE TWO - TRAIL MINUTEMAN BIKEWAY A Regional Wayfinding Signage Project - East Lexington Section Dawson Associates 03-15-2023 MINUTEMAN BIKEWAY EAST LEXINGTON otArlington Heights e gt Arlington Center Cambridge MINUTEMAN BIKEWAY EAST LEXINGTON Lexington Center Bedford Center East Lexington Village ., J."s: it" MINUTEMAN BIKEWAY EAST LEXINGTON tArlington Heights Park Ave, 0.0 Miles * 011; *a Arlington Center Pleasant St. 0.0 Miles (�**d Cambridge Alewife Station 0.0 Miles (�**a DIRECTIONAL SIGN D2 vUTEMAN E WAY >T LEXINGTON LAGE ENT ;EPT SRT MINUTEMAN BIKEWAY !4 Regional Wayfnding Signage Project -East Lexington Section Dawson Associates 03-15-2023 DIRECTIONAL SIGN D3 CONTENT CONCEPT NOT ART MINUTEMAN BIKEWAY dl Regional WayfindingSignage Project -East Lexington Section Dawson Associates 03-15-2023 What is a communication board? Usually a large display A variety of symbols as per the ADA guidelines Helps children with varying disabilities communicate Where/When do I plan on installing it? -� Center Playground, Lexington, MA -)- In June, before the yearly summer programs start Who are my beneficiaries? � Lexington Recreation Department's Therapeutic Recreation Team Why did I choose a Communication Board for my Eagle Project? of I have a twin sister with a disability, so helping people with disabilities has been very important to me. 02 1 want to help improve the community which I live in by installing this inclusive communication board. How far am I in this project? 01 My Eagle Project proposal has been approved by the Boy Scout council and by the Recreation Department 02 Met with the Lexington Graphics and received the prices for the board and the type of material to use for the project. 03 1 have completed the fundraising and have raised the funds I need to build and install the board with great support from the community. 04 My Eagle Project Plan is complete. osWe met with DPW and have their approval Next steps... 01 Present the plan to the Recreation committee to get the approval. 02 Design the board. 03 Order to print the board and buy the materials we need to install it in the playground. 04 Coordinate with DPW and the Recreation Department to get the worksite ready. 05 Recruit Troop volunteers to help install the board on the construction date. Pressure -treated Cedar - Printed Communication board (from Lexington Graphics) - 2 -sided Board ,,- My Eagle Proiect Plan Mission Therapeutic Recreation Mission & Vision — To provide opportunities for individuals of all abilities while maintaining and/or fostering physical, social and cognitive skills through adaptive and inclusive programming. Vision — To provide opportunities for skill development, social interaction, learning opportunities and growth through adaptive and inclusive therapeutic recreation based programs for individuals of all abilities. Community TR • Utilization of recreation and leisure based programming as a means to improve quality of life and improve/maintain physical, cognitive, social, emotional and spiritual domains. • Adaptive / Specialized programs • Programs designed specifically for individuals who identify with having a disability. Typically these programs are goal oriented. • Inclusive Programs • Programs designed for individuals with and without disabilities. Inclusive programs allow for participants to engage with their peers in a supported environment. • Inclusion Services • Supports and/or modifications and adaptations built into a program to foster a successful environment for an individual with a disability and/or medical condition. Highlights from 2021 Staff • December 2020 the Therapeutic Recreation Specialist position was approved for full time hours (35 hrs/week) • Fall 2020 — Spring 2021 on boarded 4 inclusion aides and 3 Therapeutic Recreation volunteers • Summer 2021 on boarded 6 inclusion aides to support 35 unique participants ; typically each aide had 2-3 participants on their caseload per week • On -boarded an Adaptive Tennis coach and Adaptive Tennis aides • Over the course of the summer a Therapeutic Recreation intern from the University of New Hampshire completed a 14 week, 560 hour internship • Assisted with intake assessments, intake interview, participant intervention, direct support, staff management, program management, participant evaluation • Summer seasonal staff and vendors received inclusion and behavior management training Jg rAOR/y/�, NCO C Highlights fromCont. APRIL 19 X EI NO Partnerships / Collaborations • (Winter 2021) Collaborated with LABBB and Human services to offer a virtual inter -generational social group • (Spring 2021) Collaborated with LABBB and Human Services to offer an inter -generational drumming class • (Spring 2021) Collaborated with LABBB and the Lexington Garden Club to offer a gardening program • (Spring — Fall 2021) Partner with Riverside Community Care to offer community outings for teens with and without disabilities • (Spring 2021 — Summer 2021) Collaborated with Lexington Public School to market the CIT program and offer staff trainings and resources • (Fall 2021) Partner with LABBB to offer drumming classes • (Fall 2021) Partner with Human Services to offer a sensory friendly, multi -generational community event J5 MORN�M QJ� CSO Highlights from 2021 Cont.,� APPILI��. EXINGT% Communitv Impact • Hosted virtual community forums seeking feedback from families/caregivers on inclusive recreation for all ages • The Therapeutic Recreation Specialist worked with the core team of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee, • Supported participants emotionally, physically and mentally within programs and conducted leisure and recreation assessments thru ought the program resulting in multiple individual successes • Offer meaningful employment opportunities for youth Programs & Services • Offered virtual programs and curbside pick up opportunities • Piloted Funday Friday, an inclusive after school youth program • The TRS works with the program staff to create inclusive environments within the offered programs • Piloted an inclusive Counselor in Training Program with support from a 3 year, $44k grant from the American Camp Association • 4% of participants from Summer 2021 youth programs identified with having a disability and requested inclusion support (3.7% of Lexington residents under 65 identify with having a disability) 77 SiAFi .. / 1 l Staff Highlights from 2022 • On boarded 4 new inclusion aides and retained 7 inclusion aides from summer 2021 • On boarded 2 Therapeutic Recreation Intern from Regis College - 560 hour, 14 week internship — Assisted with intake assessments, intake interview, participant intervention, direct support, staff management, program management, participant evaluation • Onboarded 2 volunteers to assist with programs • All seasonal staff received behavior management and inclusion training • SUMMER — Total of 17 staff members assisted with providing inclusion services 10 inclusion aides 3 returning 7 new staff 1 Assistant Director 1 Adaptive aquatics instructor - new position » 1 Adaptive Tennis Coordinator 3 Adaptive Tennis aides 1 Summer Inclusion Supervisor - new position Highlights from 2022 Partnerships / Collaborations • Collaborated with Burlington Parks and Recreation and Billerica Recreation to provide leadership and inclusion staff a comprehensive inclusion training • Collaborating with Human Services to offer Drums Alive through a Dana Home grant • Collaborating with Human Services to host the fourth annual Harvest Fest - a sensory friendly, multi -generational community event. • Worked with the SADDD club to provide a sensory friendly option for the annual Haunted House Community Impact • Offered meaningful employment opportunities for youth - 2 staff currently pursuing Therapeutic Recreation in college after working the summer • Many seasonal staff were exposed to working with individuals with disabilities for the first time • Conducted continuous leisure and recreation evaluations to fit the needs of each participants allowing individuals to thrive within a program and gain leisure exploration • Continued the leadership opportunity for teens with and without a disability which resulted in the fostering of vocational skills, leadership skills, interpersonal relationships and an increase in self confidence • Supported participants emotionally, physically and mentally within programs resulting in multiple individual successes and new opportunities and experiences. • 4% of participants from Summer 2022 youth programs identified with having a disability and requested inclusion support (3.7% of Lexington residents under 65 identify with having a disability) • Requests for inclusion services were 93% residents, 7% non-residents • Adaptive programs had a rate of 65% residents participating, 35% non-resident 2023 and Beyond • Creating sensory elements in the children's room at the Lexington Community Center to create a designated sensory room • Working with an Eagle Scout to build a visual communication board that will be installed at the Center Recreation Playground • Working with local group homes to create opportunities for residents and increase access to community programs and facilities • Received ARPA funding to purchase 11 (pads to assist with supporting individuals of all abilities within program • Piloting a donation program to receive small toys to use as prizes in programs • Creating MOU's for Vendors to partner on providing inclusion services within programs • Completing the last year of the grant cycle for the Leader in Training Program — Redesigning the curriculum with the help of the ARC of Massachusetts Goals • Continue increasing employment and volunteer opportunities for individuals with disabilities • Continue expanding inclusion services to adults in the community • Expand adaptive programming opportunities Recreation Is For Everyone! W"'- _�u �a J5 MORp��, QUO C.•p O 9 ADA Capital Improvements Prioritized within CIPi �x�wcTo Continue to implement the Recommendations & Findings of the 2017 Recreation Facilities & ADA Compliance Study 2020 — CTRS approved full-time December 2020 Completed Projects: — Accessible Pathways at Diamond Athletic Fields (December 2020) — Center Track & Field opens July 2020 • Connectivity and pathways • Bleacher system 2021 —ADA Capital Improvements Prioritized within CIP — Community Center Sidewalk Improvements — mobilizing in 2022 — Sutherland Playground and Park Pathway Improvements — completed spring 2021 — Valley tennis court pathway and parking — mobilizing in 2022 — Diamond Athletic Field pathways — completed spring 2021 OJ5 MOR/P/h, C 9 ADA Capital Improvements Prioritized within CIPG\PR°'�ei• EX/NG'�O 2022 —Additional funded projects scheduled to mobilize — Muzzey Athletic Field pathways — Rindge Playground and pathways — Center Recreation Restrooms — Old Reservoir Bathhouse How To Learn About Programs & Services Website — www.lexingtonma.gov/recreation • Brochure • Newsletter • Social Media - @LexRec Questions? Contact Information Kate DeAngelis, CTRS - Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Melissa Battite, CPRP — Director of Recreation & Community Programs Lexington RECREATION &COMMUNITY r Tozvn of Lexington Recreation and Community Programs Melissa Battite, CPRP Director of Recreation and Community Programs To: Recreation Committee From: Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation Date: April 13, 2023 Subject: Revised Request for Extended Hours of Athletic Lighting at Lincoln #2 Tel: 781-698-4800 Fax: 781-861-2747 Over the past 18 months, a number of factors have caused the LHS Athletics program to frequently experience time overruns in their scheduled field use. The factors include the Lexington Public Schools change to later start times, which result in a later start time for after-school LHS Athletics, a statewide shortage of officials for games, the need for back-to-back games to accommodate the lack of officials, and more frequently late visiting teams resulting bus shortages and traffic during the later travel times. The time overruns experienced by LHS Athletics have a trickle-down effect that results in the loss of field time for the community organizations that depend on the fields for their programming like Lexington United Soccer Club (LUSC), Lexington Youth Lacrosse (LYL), and United Cricket League (UCL). In Spring 2022, a 15 -minute buffer time was added between the permits for LHS Athletics and for these other organizations. The approach was successful in reducing unforeseen delays and cancellations for the community organizations. In Fall 2022, as approved by the Recreation Committee, the light time at Lincoln #2 was extended by 30 minutes with the field lights going off at 9:00pm and the parking lot lights going off at 9:15pm. The light time extension during the Fall 2022 season went well and at its March 21ST meeting, the Recreation Committee approved the light extension through Friday, April 21, 2023. Concerns were voiced about the request being too broad in nature and stated that the extension should be as targeted as possible. That is the main reason why the summer season is no longer included in this modified request. In an effort to provide organizations with adequate time for league play and practices, allow for consistent and scheduling for all organizations and to minimize impacts throughout the season, the request is the following: • To extend the current access to the athletic lights at Lincoln #2 for up to 30 additional minutes • 8:30pm to 9:00pm for the field lights and from 8:45pm to 9:15pm for the parking lot lights • Weeknights only for Tiers 1-3 organizations • Spring 2023 (April 3`d through June 9th) and Fall 2023 (August 28Th through November 10th) seasons. Thank you for your consideration. Cc: Sports Advisory Council