Town Common Facelift, Park Upgrades, Equipment Among Recreation's Capital Requests for the Coming Year
Burlington Parks & Recreation proposes park upgrades, equipment replacements, and vehicle needs in FY25 capital plan.
The Parks and Recreation Department might be best known for their program of offerings. Many Burlington residents pay close attention to the catalog release and activity signup dates, in the hopes of ensuring they and their children are able to enroll in the activities they love the most for the upcoming season.
But the Recreation Department is also responsible for maintaining many of the town's outdoor spaces, including ball fields, the Town Common, and the town's many playgrounds. To do that, they need equipment and facilities. This year's capital requests reflect the Rec Department's efforts to keep Burlington safe and attractive for residents and visitors. Here's a summary of what they're requesting from the town at May's annual budget Town Meeting:
- Park and Field Maintenance – Recreation is seeking funding, as it did last year, to up their game with ball field maintenance. They're also looking to install new basketball courts at Rahanis Park, upgrade the fencing and walkways at Simonds Park (with money from the Will of Marshall Simonds himself), and give the Town Common and gazebo a facelift.
- Equipment Replacement – A new mower and pickup truck are also on the list of requests. The truck will replace one that has so much body rot that it won't pass inspection again; the new mower will be much easier and more efficient to prepare for its mowing work, thus saving the Rec staff time and energy.
The Conservation Department also requested a vehicle this year – a hybrid pickup truck or SUV to serve as a second vehicle for staff to use when they're out working in the field.
These requests show how the town's departments are planning to invest in parks, equipment, facilities, and community use in the coming year.
This year’s Annual Town Meeting will begin on Monday, May 12, at 7:00 PM and will continue on Wednesday and Monday evenings until the entire Warrant has been reviewed. Stay tuned to the Buzz for summaries of the articles in the Town Meeting Warrant and how Town Meeting votes on each.
