YARMOUTH — Community Services is seeking public input on the best use of what’s known as the “sandpit parcel” in the new Village Run subdivision off Sligo Road.
Karyn MacNeill, the community services director, said the goal is not to make this parcel “into a typical park or recreational site,” but to make sure the public land is being used in a way that will ensure its long-term sustainability.
The town’s goal, she said, is to create a walking trail through the neighborhood that will provide internal recreation and leisure opportunities, and provide connectivity to West Main Street.
A public meeting on the proposed trail project will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, at Town Hall.
MacNeill said residents should bring their “ideas and recommendations. Community input is critical to creating a trail that serves the needs of (the community). The feedback will also enable the town to project usage and types of uses of the parcel by the neighbors.”
Those who wish to have input but cannot attend next week’s meeting can email their comments and suggestions to kmacneill@yarmouth.me.us or call community services at 846-2406.
The parcel already includes a sledding hill and informal walking trails, MacNeill said, but the town would like to formalize its role in the wider community, create guidelines for maintenance, and come up with a list of allowed uses and activities.
She said the developer of the Village Run subdivision deeded the open space to the town and now “we are looking forward to this property being a feature for neighbors of all ages to enjoy.”
MacNeill called the sandpit parcel “a unique feature” and said a “creative partnership with the developer allowed it to become a public amenity and space for recreation at no cost” to the town.
She said it’s not yet clear how much the trail will cost to build, but said the hope is to begin work this summer, with completion by late fall.
MacNeill said the final cost will depend on the scope of the project, but that funding will be provided by the subdivision as part of the agreement that deeded the property to the town.
An Eagle Scout crew created some of the amenities that are already in place, she said, but the goal is to “harden” the trail to make it more easily accessible and to better ensure its longevity.
The plan is to begin the trail at the subdivision’s retention pond and then wrap around the sledding hill. The trail will include a bridge to cross over a culvert.
Overall, MacNeill said, the Parks and Lands Committee wants to make sure the open space is “being used in an appropriate manner for the location’s site capabilities.”
Kate Irish Collins can be reached at 780-9097 or kcollins@theforecaster.net. Follow Kate on Twitter: @KIrishCollins.
The developer of the new Village Run subdivision, off Sligo Road in Yarmouth, has deeded an open space parcel known as the “sandpit” to the town. The Community Services Department is seeking public input into the best uses for the land.
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