(Correction: The community feedback open house will take place Nov. 16 and this date has been changed in the story.)
By Lisa Carolin
The City of Chelsea Parks and Recreation Commission heard an overview from the consulting firm that Main Street Parks has hired to develop a park on the old Federal Screw Works site on South Main.
Viridis Design Group representatives spoke at the Parks 11-7-23 meeting about plans to gather community feedback throughout November using an online survey and focus groups. A community open house will be held on Nov. 16, from noon-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. at the Chelsea Depot. The eventual designs will be presented to Chelsea City Council with a goal of breaking ground in Fall 2024.
Chelsea Parks Committee Chair Shawn Personke is working with community volunteer Jeff Hardcastle to put together a steering committee of around ten people to discuss TimberTown updates including naming the Trailhead, the Pathway to Renewal, the playstructure, and fundraising. Play by Design is working on three different cost levels for the play structure to present to the community in early January 2024. Fundraising for the project will also begin in January.
For more information or to donate, visit www.TimberTownChelsea.org.
The “Get UR Gear” webstore runs through Nov. 20. TimberTown tee shirts, hats, sweatshirts, and more are now available. Personke will have a booth in the Chamber’s Vendor Area during Wine, Women, and Shopping on Nov. 11.
Cement is down for all six of the pickle ball courts in TimberTown and fencing is scheduled to go in on Nov. 13. Policies to use the courts were developed by Commissioners, pickleball players and staff.
Members of the Parks Commission were pleased with the improvements that were made to the Chelsea Dog Park and said those who attended the celebration event on Oct. 21 were excited about all the changes, too. Personke thanked Scout Ken Lynn for creating the agility course as his Eagle project.
Also discussed at the meeting was the 2023/2024 budget. A list of priorities were reviewed. Staff will look at the identified projects to attach costs. They include money for programming for the community center, a drinking fountain near the Veterans Park ball fields, and creating a 4-season mini park in the green space next to the Purple Rose Theatre. Other projects that are already scheduled and budgeted include an ADA study, bike racks, and benches.
The Parks Committee meets next at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
