2021 Diamond Fields Plan - Mayor Kassandra Gove July 2021 - City of Amesbury
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2021 Diamond Fields Plan Mayor Kassandra Gove July 2021
Background
When Lions Mouth Road was selected for the new elementary school in October 2018,
research began on a master fields plan for Amesbury. A comprehensive study was done on
our fields’ quality and usage, the Public Sports Fields Master Plan was published in late
2019. The original concepts for the fields plan included expanding use into Woodsom Farm
and came with an almost $10 Million budget. While the locations of some fields have
changed, many of the concerns and issues that were identified in the Master Plan are being
addressed and mitigated as we move forward.
“
The research that’s been done and the Public Sports Fields Master Plan that
was created have been instrumental in creating our 2021 Diamond Fields Plan.
I am thrilled that we will be able to fix many of the identified issues related to
field quality, usage and maintenance for our teams that use our diamonds.
- Mayor Kassandra Gove
The original 2019 concepts for diamond and rectangular fields at Woodsom Farm have proved to be
unattainable due to site and budget constraints, as well as resident concerns about additional development
at the Farm.
Including the feasibility study at Woodsom Farm, we have done studies at 7 locations in Amesbury for
diamond fields (detailed at the end), as well as thought long-term about rectangular fields that are needed
in our community.
The 2021 Diamond Fields Plan took into consideration short-term factors such as the immediate displacement
of diamonds at Cashman, as well as long-term factors for all of our leagues and teams.
This includes:
• Current utilization, as identified in the Master Plan
• Parking availability
• Current field conditions
• Future maintenance impacts
• Short-term and long-term budget
The 2021 Diamond Fields Plan is being presented after more than
a year of collaboration and discussion between key stakeholders.
• Mayor Kassandra Gove
• Leigh Noyes, President, Amesbury Little League
• Elizabeth McAndrews, Superintendent, Amesbury Public Schools
• Glen Gearin, Assistant Principal / Athletics Director, Amesbury Public Schools
• Matt Bennett, Facilities Director, Amesbury Public Schools
• Kathy Crowley, Director, Amesbury Recreation
• Jimmy Olsen, Assistant Director, Amesbury Recreation
• Rob Desmarais, Director, Amesbury Public Works
• Peter Manor, Director of Watershed and Infrastructure
• Angela Cleveland, Director, Community & Economic Development
As you read through this Diamond Fields Plan, look for the # to see where we refer
to research done in the Public Sports Fields Master Plan.
The 2021 Diamond Fields Plan does not include plans for the diamonds at Amesbury Middle School or Collins Field. This plan was created to specifically address the issues related to the displacement of Little League fields at Cashman Elementary School due to construction of the new school. We believe that the 2021 Diamond Fields Plan is the best option for not only Little League, but all of our leagues and teams. Future plans will be made for improvements at remaining rectangular fields and diamonds.
Existing: AGYSL + Little League
Existing: Little League
2022 Season: Same use
2022 Season: Same use
To be built in Phase 1
2022 Season: Little League
Existing: Varsity + JV Baseball
Existing: Babe Ruth
2022 Season: Varsity + JV Baseball + Babe Ruth
2022 Season: Little League
To be built in Phase 2
2023 Season: JV Baseball and Babe Ruth
Town Park
Existing Softball Field – Phase 1
Currently used by AGYSL and Little League
2022 Season: Same use
2021 Improvements
• Install new infield and redefine grass edge
• Install / extend foul-line fencing
“The field is in poor condition, with a
14 high percentage of weeds, bare spots
from overuse, and compaction.”
“The backstop fence is in good
condition; however, foul balls are a
consideration, particularly so close to
the playground and splash pad areas.”
Town Park
Existing Pony Field – Phase 1
New Little League Field – Phase 1
Existing field currently used by Pony League
2022 Season: Little League
2021 Improvements
• Remove existing fencing and grandstands
• Construct 2 60’ diamonds and 200’ outfield
fenced Little League field. Includes fencing,
bleachers, dugout, scoreboard, press box,
lighting and irrigation
• Renovate existing maintenance / storage
building to include concessions area and
service window
• Porto let / fencing (ADA)
“The field is in fair condition, is not irrigated,
and has topography issues. Dugouts should
13
be fully enclosed… backstop fencing needs
repair, bleachers are not code compliant.”
Town Park
Existing Little League Field – Phase 1
Currently used by Little League
2022 Season: Little League
2021 Improvements
• Sawcut and remove corner of skate park that
protrudes into existing field
• Regrade and restore grass
• Install new first base side fencing from dugout
to outfield fence
“The turf is in good condition, but the
grading could be improved. The skate
13 park encroaches on the right field,
which is in disrepair, is currently
unsafe.”
High School
Existing Baseball Field– Phase 1
Currently used by Varsity and JV Baseball
2022 Season: Varsity, JV and Babe Ruth
2021 Improvements
• Install new infield and redefine grass edge
• Implement drainage improvements in right field foul territory
• Install fencing / netting along third base foul line
• Remove brush and debris from behind backstop
“During the wet season, the teams are required to
reschedule or move to Town Park, where fields are not
8 the appropriate size. The outfield has drainage issues.
Outfield fence and dugouts are in fair condition, but
there is currently no foul ball protection for spectators.”
“The baseball field at the high school is underutilized
25
and may help relieve some pressure at the Pony Field.”High School
New Diamond – Phase 2
Doesn’t currently exist
2023 Season: JV and Babe Ruth
This additional field will help spread out the capacity issues that
our teams experience on our existing fields as we move forward.
“Spring demand greatly exceeds the capacity of the Pony
25 Field at Town Park… the JV field use is slightly under
capacity and may be able to absorb additional use.”Parking Creating this campus of diamond fields requires a close look at parking availability. Existing parking lots on Friend Street and Highland Street at the Town Park will continue to be utilized. Amesbury High School parking will be open for guests of games at the Town Park. The grass lot on the south side of Highland Street across from the Town Park will be leveled and have gravel added for additional parking. Upgrades will be made to the parking lot on Highland Street with new side street parking being added on Highland as well.
Budget and Timeline We anticipate Phase 1 of this project will begin in late summer / fall 2021 and will be complete in time for the spring 2022 season. Phase 2 of this project will be complete time for the 2023 season. We currently have $1.8 million in funds available and expect to be able to fund Phase 1 of this project with that budget.
On the following pages you’ll find details regarding the studies at 7 locations
in Amesbury for diamond fields. These studies were intended to fully
research all possibilities to the find right locations for fields for long-term
success.
Each option went through extensive research as we worked through
potential designs, negotiations and discussions about the site.
“
I appreciate that Mayor Gove has been listening and addressing concerns about this project. At the end of
the day, the Little League Board wants to make sure that we will be able to provide the same experience that
our athletes, families and visiting teams are used to. After considering several other options across the City
for new baseball fields to replace the Cashman fields and facility, Amesbury Town Park gives us the best
chance for keeping our kids playing in Amesbury in the short and long term. Town Park will be our new
identity for baseball within our great community.
- Leigh Noyes, President, Amesbury Little LeagueStudy: Woodsom Farm Original Concept • Original concept was $7.8 Million for all fields – far exceeding the current funding available and planned • Through AES building project, learned that there is arsenic in the soil nearby which increases the likelihood in this location, and budget impacts of mitigation • Property remains under order of conditions with Amesbury Soccer Association • Many residents concerned about developing more of Woodsom Farm For all of these reasons, the original concept to build fields was set aside and work began to do feasibility studies at other possible locations in Amesbury.
Study: Sparhawk School
March 2020 – September 2020
• Privately owned, but already being used by local youth athletic leagues
• Known to be wet in certain seasons, but is flat, centrally located and has
parking
• Partly owned by a condo association, areas of shared ownership
Discussions and negotiations were unsuccessful as we looked at options to
purchase the property.
Study: Amesbury Middle School
September – November 2020
• Back field behind Landry that was overgrown and underutilized, which is flat
and drains well
• Discussed how to build an additional diamond as well as upgrade the existing
diamond and add bathroom / concession facilities, with the possibility of also
serving and enhancing access to Landry Stadium
This study was stopped when we learned of the existing fundraising efforts to
undergo renovations at the Varsity Softball field.Study: South Hampton Road
December 2020 – May 2021
• Existing field next to current Amesbury Elementary School that is overgrown and not in use
• Restoration of the existing field was feasible, but no option for outfield regrading or other
improvements, or to build a second field due to wetlands jurisdictional area
This space remains under review for other fields (rectangular) without need for structural changes.
Study: Clinton Street
May/June 2021
• Combination of City-owned and privately-owned land; private owners were not approached
• Area is scattered with wetlands and limited usable upland area
Layout options presented for this space were undesirable and this option was quickly dropped.
Study: Truck Stop
May/June 2021
• City-owned property on Route 150, flat with room available for parking
• Challenging space for maintenance
• Highly valuable property for re-sale and economic development purposes, recently approved by
City Council for surplusStudy: Town Park / High School
May 2021 - Present
• Existing fields at Town Park with room to add an
additional field
• Existing parking with room to add more
• Existing field at the High School with room to add
an additional field
• Flat, outside of any wetland jurisdiction, drains well
• Has utilities, bathrooms and storage on site and has
options to expand
“
Mayor Gove, Little League and Amesbury Public We are very excited about the proposed
Schools all agreed that this spot provides the best changes to the fields on the AHS campus.
One of our goals has been to bring as
opportunity to meet the expectations of our leagues,
much school-related and youth sport
players, visiting teams and overall community. activity here as possible. This plan allows
us to take steps in that direction.
- Superintendent Elizabeth McAndrewsYou can also read
