[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6575963,"mediaKeyId","3340046-46a600c4367232a657c92b4f0959dff0","parentId",3340046,"title","Residents press for more public input on Jerome Park design as Recreation readies consultant phase; Rideout courts planning to begin in June","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5698000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3340046-46a600c4367232a657c92b4f0959dff0&start=5698&end=5698","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3340046-46a600c4367232a657c92b4f0959dff0/thumbnail_5698000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6575963/Massachusetts/Residents-press-for-more-public-input-on-Jerome-Park-design-as-Recreation-readies-consultant-phase-Rideout-courts-planning-to-begin-in-June","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575963-c1b6888042507f48d7114caf17136351/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182424&Signature=JMHo8et0x8qgsX59GBUyjORy2QyvMlYE9gqD-rHl-nhshpG-eLoRauhB9cPMKdaWQsZk~Qi-xHJ-u5AsZSpoWFBFbhVLRHTjChF5HqT~kje4hD7ykst6sC0zgsSeJMbrcAEUqRWVRJqqqXVdMeAy-gYe01i3t0K5ftd1TXDAkz7NhSVXnz9ypdMv-qfrgNaRJAQUfxBLHoNjh1CLVaUJLxi7lKCQG7LCSv2fZJrPRNOUPPmaep5EhWE6lVEbP0SPAnUmJngWrOpjEf9fld55tHb5wL9nDh~QRYN9htAOFKSKireyH5kumdTaBBVj-z37~94Meesf7ulZTr8TkTzZLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Concord, MA","date","2025-04-23T00:00:00Z","article","Several residents used public comment at the Recreation Commission meeting to urge faster action and greater public involvement on Jerome Park (also referred to as Jarell/Juro in public remarks). Speakers asked that benches and picnic tables promised in earlier phases be placed for summer use and asked that the next design phase be the subject of open, facilitated public sessions.

A longtime resident and frequent meeting attendee raised concerns about past design and project management decisions, questioned the pace of installing permanent benches and picnic tables, and urged the commission to ensure the public is engaged before consultants finalize plans. The resident said earlier community input and a 2018 survey of thousands of respondents should be central to forthcoming planning.

Recreation staff responded that temporary tables had been used and that the department planned public meetings as part of the consultant-led planning once funding and the Select Board's town-meeting actions are complete. Staff said the park transfer to Recreation oversight is pending Select Board steps; once funding becomes available (post-town meeting), the department plans to issue an RFP for consultant services and to schedule community engagement in the fall.

Separately, the commission said the Rideout courts project has returned to active planning. The town's consultant (Activitas) submitted a concept report on existing conditions at Rideout and Emerson; a Rideout-focused subcommittee (including two commissioners) will begin work in June and is expected to meet over several months before returning recommendations to the full commission and to town decision-makers. Commissioners said ARPA funds are available for courts reconfiguration, and that construction would likely occur in the spring following final design.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Concord: Recreation Commission April 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents voiced frustration at the meeting about perceived lack of public involvement and unfinished amenities at Jerome (Jarell) Park; Recreation staff said final ownership transfer and an RFP for consultants to support community planning would follow town meeting action, and Rideout courts work will proceed with a June subcommittee schedule.","taxTitle","Town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",68746,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6575966,"Recreation Commission to recruit new member after one member moves to Select Board; Phil Griffiths nominated to land-use subcommittee",395,165000,560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3340046-46a600c4367232a657c92b4f0959dff0&start=165&end=560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3340046-46a600c4367232a657c92b4f0959dff0/thumbnail_165000.jpg","/articles/6575966/Massachusetts/Recreation-Commission-to-recruit-new-member-after-one-member-moves-to-Select-Board-Phil-Griffiths-nominated-to-land-use-subcommittee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575966-3060ddb0bbe7395643bba1347faf51e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182424&Signature=fkzelNiG-4mTwDMDyJOAaCbpXSTD8PBEBnrfKM~z32k3m8pNDZxyWsOWzHWKEPrWk3TMDcCBaMjrqO19ZvUJhdVbAjQ~djKaFvW~lLUjQnS8Gddst7hW0sh-wWngWqpQYcT7EZbaA~SCjwcPb-IAZyL25KkHL0R5qWKitIGM-BT26KldeCBzzF7y1StsoshRz8EjGSc89q1j1cEvMdxmR16r5YhXIXLsraQneYAd-eoldRUUkHbTTmtmBhYa3ZF7N6iTMorzN6Jjnb4UzAKaGpgPaFw~EQK~AiwG2nGgKCTqUXnt6i6wPzbgl8d9psrZuiDMFhcHZaEUY19-ao5GCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners discussed an upcoming vacancy after a recreation commission member will move to the Select Board in June. The commission agreed to publicize the vacancy and recruit candidates, emphasizing outreach to families with children who use town recreation programs.

Commissioners talked through recruitment channels: an announcement to local media (the Concord Bridge), email blasts, social media, outreach to youth-sports volunteer groups, and directing applicants to the town volunteer-card process at the Town Manager's office. The commission proposed a timetable: publish notices in late April/early May, solicit interest for about two weeks, and ask applicants to indicate interest by mid-May so the commission can forward names to the Town Manager's office for appointment.

At the meeting a commissioner nominated Phil Griffiths to serve on the Select Board's land-use study subcommittee; the nomination was seconded during discussion. Phil said he was willing to serve on the subcommittee but said he would step down as Recreation Commission chair if he accepted the position because of time constraints. Commissioners discussed rotation of the chair role and the commission size; staff said the administrative code currently sets the commission size at five members appointed by the town manager, and changes to that number would require select board action or a charter/administrative-code change.

Commissioners agreed to keep recruiting for the one vacancy and to consider expanding the commission later if suitable candidates were found. Staff committed to drafting an announcement and coordinating the outreach schedule.","A Recreation Commission seat will open in June when a member takes a Select Board position. Commissioners agreed to recruit volunteers with an outreach timetable in May; the commission nominated Phil Griffiths to serve on the Select Board's land use study subcommittee and discussed chair rotation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6575973,"Recreation presents FY26 revolving and BD enterprise drafts; UV system and savings highlighted",2092,1518000,3610000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3340046-46a600c4367232a657c92b4f0959dff0&start=1518&end=3610","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3340046-46a600c4367232a657c92b4f0959dff0/thumbnail_1518000.jpg","/articles/6575973/Massachusetts/Recreation-presents-FY26-revolving-and-BD-enterprise-drafts-UV-system-and-savings-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575973-374403e0122ae907b63f095d8782f9d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182424&Signature=aWiIuWFKqUn0NogyLLGU3B9BFzKQ8QgHx~osKELp7ZfWGcoKRH3up6H1Ofc5IWtKjyJ9MwAw4NA1yibXiUnNd5a38Lgwdfb2zscJU-YwAfSlCffAaf~C2lEd9u5Jar6ChG2FgKjPXAUj3LjZAn~p3NMZL-agkiTb4ob91EAEtaJJwC7fD32Q3BDkRdi7MUpY4QJf1lru0vOM5NNR8pMSdbWsdLG~aJjKFwf0qD6e0SnXqLLI~j~~jXYpfjfryGOKojdw3jdXSWvhtewCZqnOOdoS7vy~tjMsOOlWMUO4SLITtgAwBUw-LG820PVtOQwj~6cLoRtJzrbeJorUZQanNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Concord Recreation Department presented high-level FY26 draft budgets for its revolving fund (programs and outdoor facilities) and the BD enterprise fund (Beatty/BD facility) and described program and capital priorities for the coming year.

Recreation Director Lee Jackson reviewed FY25 accomplishments — staff training, strategic and capital planning, and new camps — and summarized FY26 goals for the revolving fund: raise fill rates by 10% by June 30, 2026, create a formal financial sustainability model, and provide at least $30,000 in financial-assistance support by mid-2026. Jackson said the revolving fund is presented as a zero-balance budget for the town process but that retained earnings exist and are planned for capital work.

For the BD enterprise fund (the fitness and pool facility), director-level staff reported installing a UV disinfection system for the lap pool as an FY25 accomplishment and said it is expected to reduce water consumption and lower water/sewer costs. The team reported zero pool closures in FY25 for water-quality reasons and said they had onboarded new swim staff, added member programming, and established a Friends group that plans to fund dive-platform replacements.

The BD enterprise draft shows an approximate 6% revenue increase proposed for FY26, driven in part by membership adjustments and added lessons; the department said it had modeled revenue and expense changes and planned capital replacements for fitness equipment and structural items such as the roof. Staff said retained earnings for BD are held for capital (roughly $2 million, noted as a planning figure during the meeting) and that the BD budget must remain sustainable to cover equipment depreciation and building needs.

Commissioners asked for additional emphasis in the Fincom presentation on the department's work with Public Works (CPW) to set a funding transfer formula for field maintenance and on the department's recently completed five-year capital plan and strategic plan. Director Jackson said she intends to present both the revolving and enterprise budgets at the Finance Committee public hearing on May 1 and requested commission members attend if they wished to show support.

On sustainability, staff asked for permission to highlight the BD UV project and other resource savings to the town sustainability committee once final figures are verified.","The Recreation Department presented FY26 draft revolving and Beede/Beatty (BD) enterprise budgets, including goals to increase program fill rates, offer $30,000 in financial assistance, and install a UV system in the BD lap pool to reduce water and sewer costs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6575978,"Concord fields project out to bid; Friends group to present donation May 5",385,1120000,1505000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3340046-46a600c4367232a657c92b4f0959dff0&start=1120&end=1505","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3340046-46a600c4367232a657c92b4f0959dff0/thumbnail_1120000.jpg","/articles/6575978/Massachusetts/Concord-fields-project-out-to-bid-Friends-group-to-present-donation-May-5","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575978-807a68ea8f3b600eb9b033bb44253b34/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182424&Signature=EIg7QSSZrK6NbGVMikU7t3CB~iCxtbkiKq7rOgbVR5jTcR2a6mkiz2cPijKEV99G73kUkfJ-rPLTJ2ZELdQJUSxb7L2ckKE~JDi8YEXq2GTafmh3NZf9YId8YilfiDi7sTNvNpQuFRmSg9AASu9juY5uvb~pql5Hod1-k-WBZy5TSDq4M6vvWQ3lYuPWOglKf-ZQPhBxajGcl3NFhRRv695ZmkBmMcVdLluZQdKueChapO-4Y6lFPlwfM3BqvKEsqZJMMdawceBeKXB13uxEJ4s5~7xHIXaCgeyAzZyVR4UKlg3urLyJNtDavpJHGbpxoPikte78z0FvZ8ToiUq1xA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Concord Recreation Commission heard an update that bids are open for the Concord Carlisle (CC) Fields renovation, with bids due Monday, May 5, and a construction target that would allow the fields to be usable by August 1.

Town staff told the commission the base bidding package covers a replacement surface using crumb-rubber infill; the shock-absorbent pad was included as an ad alternate so the town can accept bids for the base work even if additional funding for the pad is not available. \"We put that in as an ad alternate because if it was part of the base bid and we decided that we didn't have the funding for that, then we'd have to reject all of the bids,\" Recreation staff said during the meeting.

The commission was told the Friends of CC Fields are actively fundraising. The Friends plan to appear before the Select Board at its May 5 meeting to present a donation for the project; staff said the town must document receipt of the funds before the town can sign a construction contract. \"The Friends of CC Fields will be coming before the Select Board on Monday, May 5 to make the donation,\" the director said.

Staff described a tight schedule: bid documents completed in mid-April, bid period into early May, bid review and award in mid-May, a pre-construction conference in late May, and construction from early June to August 1 in the best-case schedule. Commission members and staff emphasized the importance of meeting the school timetable because fall sports depend on finished fields.

Commission discussion touched on recycling and long-term stewardship of the materials used in the field surface; staff said the bid documents included specifications intended to support recycling and best practices, and that the Friends group had recognized the project would be an ongoing commitment.

No construction contract had been awarded at the time of the meeting. Commission members said they expect further updates after the May 5 Select Board meeting and following bid review and award.

A votes-at-a-glance note: the commission approved its February and March minutes at the start of the meeting by motion and voice vote.","The Town of Concord has put the CC Fields turf replacement project out to bid with bids due May 5. The project includes a crumb-rubber infill base bid and an ad-alternate for a shock-absorbent pad; the Friends of CC Fields plan to present a donation to the Select Board May 5 to allow the town to sign a construction contract.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press for more public input on Jerome Park design as Recreation readies consultant phase; Rideout courts planning to begin in June

Recreation Commission to recruit new member after one member moves to Select Board; Phil Griffiths nominated to land-use subcommittee

Recreation presents FY26 revolving and BD enterprise drafts; UV system and savings highlighted

Concord fields project out to bid; Friends group to present donation May 5