Sunbury Council approves $3M park project including splash pad and multi-use court

The Parks and Recreation Committee of the Sunbury City Council convened on January 10, 2025, to discuss the advancement of a significant $3 million park project. The committee expressed strong support for proceeding with the project, which includes the construction of a splash pad, a pavilion with restrooms, a playground, and multi-use courts for basketball and pickleball.

City staff recommended engaging CT Consultants and Vergantus for detailed engineering work, which is necessary before the project can be bid later this year. The committee emphasized the importance of developing a task order that outlines the design costs, which will be presented to the council for official approval. This step is crucial as it will inform the amount of funding needed, allowing the city to prepare for borrowing.

A key discussion point was the potential for a donation policy to encourage community sponsorship of park features. The committee noted that revisiting this policy could help reduce the amount of money the city needs to borrow, as local businesses and residents may be willing to contribute to the project.

The meeting also touched on the status of property surveys related to the project, with updates indicating that previous concerns have been addressed, allowing the design phase to proceed without delay. The project aims to enhance community recreation options and improve the downtown area, with additional infrastructure developments planned, including the expansion of Route 37 and a new pedestrian bridge.

Overall, the committee's discussions reflect a commitment to advancing the park project, which has been a priority since the initiation of a parks master plan in 2018. The next steps involve finalizing engineering details and preparing for potential funding requests, with the goal of bringing the project to fruition in the coming year.