Why Greenwood Park was not Selected as the Preferred Site.

Read this summary to better understand why Greenwood Park is not the preferred site for a new or renovated Adult Center.

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Figure 1- Aerial View of  Greenwood Park
Hatched area shows Greenwood park land- a large % of the total parcel

Below is an excerpt from the full report issued by the Adult Center Building Committee (ACBC) chaired by Marybeth Bergeron regarding the possible selection of Greenwood Park for a renovated or new Adult Center.  This report was presented by Ms. Bergeron to the Select Board at their regular meeting on September 3, 2016.

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There were 8 potential sites investigated by the ACBC which included the following:

Greenwood Park, Turner Park Site #1, Turner Park Site #2. Wolf Swamp Road Fields, Cordis property/ Library site, Academy Drive (water tower property), Laurel Park and Bliss Park

The following criteria were used for all of these proposed sites:

Deed Restrictions, Article 97 Implications, Infrastructure, Impact on Sports Fields, Historic Implications, Conservation, Neighborhood/ Political

Here is the Greenwood Park analysis from the report:

The current Adult Center is located on this site.  The Adult Center occupies approximately 8,000 sf of the building which is an old school.  Also in the same building is the Longmeadow Parks/ Recreation Day Care Center which serves approximately 56 children as well as the after school program for 60 children. The summer camp (80 children) uses the building, along with pickle ball players, the Longmeadow Parks/ Recreation After School Program, Willie Ross School, CYO basketball, Youth basketball, Adult volleyball and karate.

Additionally the Veteran's Representative, public nurse, Town Food Bank, the Federal Meals Program is all located within the Adult Center wing of the Greenwood Center building. The building is often used by sports teams and other groups in the evenings, averaging 2-3 meetings per week.

There are two baseball fields used daily. There is a playground as well as one of the Town's pools.

Approximately 1,000 sf of the Adult Center wing is hallway, and 500-600 sf is for the bathrooms. This building is located in the very south portion of the town, and is not at a central location in our town. The seniors are "tucked away", and for many the drive to the center from the north end of the town is challenging.

• Deed Restrictions: Unknown, must be researched 
• Article 97 Implications: Possible - Should the town decide to construct an addition to the west of the existing building wing, Article 97 could apply. Deed research needs to be done, specifically as it relates to the extension into the park. 
• Infrastructure: Available 
• Impact on Sports fields: At least one and possibly both ball fields will be lost 
• Historic Implications: None 
• Conservation: No identified issues 
• Neighborhood/Political: We do believe there is a constituency of people in our town who would not wish the Adult Center to move, as they are accustomed to enjoying recreational services at the existing site.  Many seniors have a high resistance to change, and this will be a challenge to overcome.

Conclusions
Although constructing an addition on the existing building which would require renovating the entire building due to code requirements is feasible (see drawing from the Dietz & Company Architects report below), we believe that the 12 to 18 month disruption of the plethora of services to the town residents would be very difficult. The renovations would require that the Federal Meals on Wheels program be turned over to East Longmeadow, the Day Care Center would have to be moved at CONSIDERABLE expense due to the State requirements (furniture bolted to floors, bathrooms in every room, etc.), the Parks/ Recreation After School program for students moved to other locations, programs for the seniors would have to be halted for lack of space at other locations in town, the CYO Youth basketball, pickle ball, Willie Ross School, etc., would be very problematic and a huge disruption for our residents. The loss of at least one ball field would affect residents.

We also believe that the resulting product (state of the art addition of brand new construction, aside a school designed in the late 60's) would not create an attractive exterior. The costs associated with a move/ termination of much needed services to the most frail in Longmeadow, in combination with the construction of the addition, would at LEAST equal the cost of building a new building elsewhere in the town.

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Here is some earlier developed information for a proposed Renovation of Greenwood Center described in the Dietz & Company Architects Report- January 15, 2016.

Figure 2- Proposed Renovation of Greenwood Center-
Dietz & Company Architects Report- January 15, 2016
(click to enlarge)

Below is a table from the Dietz & Company report comparing Advantages vs. Disadvantages of renovating Greenwood Park Center.

Table 1- Comparison of Advantages vs. Disadvantages
Dietz & Company Architects Report- January 15, 2016
(click to enlarge)

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Bottom Line: Demolishing the current Greenwood Park Center and building a new one or renovating the old building at the same site would result in a desirable outcome.  However, all of the disadvantages highlighted above by two different comprehensive studies strongly suggest that the Greenwood Park site is not a desirable site for the new Adult Center.

Here ares link to some additional information on this subject:

1. Longmeadow Adult Center: Feasibility Study and Design Study
   Dietz and Co. Architects, Inc. January 15, 2016
2. Update- Longmeadow Adult Center Feasibility Study,
   LongmeadowBuzz blog post by J.R. Moran, January 28, 2016

Jim Moran

Vote YES on Article 7

The following letter was submitted to LongmeadowBuzz by Frances Miffitt, Longmeadow Resident

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I have been a resident of Longmeadow for  more than  two decades.  I am a Senior citizen .

In years past, I voted in favor of the new High School.  I voted in favor of  the new Blinn tennis courts.  I voted in favor of the expansion of Longmeadow Shops. I voted against a new DPW on Wolf Swamp Rd. fields.   Frankly I am stunned by the opposition to a new Community Recreational  and Senior Center at Bliss Park.

The current Greenwood Park Senior Center is also located in a park.  Actually Greenwood is the smallest park in town, containing only 9 acres of land.  To expand at that location would mean encroaching on the ball fields which are used daily in the summertime.  Baseball has been played on those fields since 1945.    Greenwood Park has tennis courts, an in ground pool, a small playground , two ball fields . An outdoor walking track and  bocci court would likely be eliminated by expansion of the building  . The recreational space is very small, and services the recreational needs of the residents in the south end of town.  Although it has the same amenities as Bliss Park at 45 acres of land, Greenwood is the smallest park in town. The Greenwood Child Care center is located in the larger portion of the old school and the Park is home to day campers during the summer.

Where is the cry to save Greenwood Park? 

Locating the new Senior Center would place the facility in the center of town at Bliss Park which would be more accessible for all our senior citizens.   The location chosen is run down and neglected. It would add parking for the dog walkers and hikers that use the trails, for the ball fields and for the basketball court.  It takes away absolutely nothing from the park and only enhances the current recreational activities.

I suspect the vast majority of people who are against this, are people who have never set foot  at Greenwood Park Senior Center.  Actually they may never have set foot in a Senior Center at all!  All senior centers offer wonderful recreational activities for the senior and adult populations they service. 

This new senior center would provide recreational activities for ALL of our population, and not just seniors.   A new exercise room would be available to everyone!   The town is hoping to include a gymnasium, which is much needed by the basketball teams.  Pickle ball, volleyball would also be played there.  Perhaps the town could even offer Community Theatre! 

This would really be a community center that does nothing but improve the quality of life for young and old alike! 

Sincerely,
Frances Miffitt/ Longmeadow Resident

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The LongmeadowBuzz blog welcomes town residents who want to offer their own viewpoints.  For details see blog Guidelines.

Imagine Longmeadow being supportive of all of its citizens

The following letter was submitted to LongmeadowBuzz by Marjorie Morgan, Longmeadow Resident

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I have had the opportunity to see the list of people who signed the petition opposing Bliss Park as the location of a new senior center.  I read carefully the "facts" and objections. Some are legitimate concerns, and other "facts" were so far off base as to be worthy of the most convoluted conspiracy.

Many who signed are clustered near or abutting the park.  In checking the current voting list it could be said many of these folks are professionally and financially well off. Their professions indicate a secure economic status. We could guess that many belong to the Field Club or the Longmeadow Country Club. They probably attend the Symphony, and go to Stage West and the Majestic Theater. Most travel sometime during the year and vacation regularly.  You might say active Longmeadow adults.  True, most do not consider themselves old and cannot imagine being old and not continuing this lifestyle.  If they do get old, Glenmeadow is in the future... not a senior center.

It is true that a well programmed senior center with adequate space and resources is used by all economic groups.  However, for many in our community the options are not so broad.

Seniors may be limited by finances.  Many are not able to travel. Some are isolated by physical limitations and building accessibility. Some cannot attend events that are not handicapped friendly.  Travel is sometimes limited to bus availability. Some seniors can no longer prepare a meal so come to the center for the noon meal and sociability.  They rely on the Senior Center!

This group of seniors does not have the VOICE that Save Bliss Park has.  They cannot purchase signs, or stand on corners or attend night meetings.  Many are not yet computer literate.  This group of Longmeadow citizens are relying on a small committee and a positive town vote to make it happen.

Please get the FACTS.  Look at the small footprint and IMAGINE a place for seniors as well as gym and community rooms for everyone.  IMAGINE a rest room available.  IMAGINE new trees,

and IMAGINE Longmeadow being supportive of ALL their citizens!


Marjorie Morgan/ Longmeadow Resident

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The LongmeadowBuzz blog welcomes town residents who want to offer their own viewpoints.  For details see blog Guidelines.