Buxton’s Weymouth Park might be getting a facelift.
Trustees of the park, which is at the intersection of busy routes 112 and 202, have asked the Buxton Selectmen to apply for a grant from a local charitable foundation, Narragansett Number 1, to make improvements and to develop a landscape master plan.
“I think it can be a centerpiece,” said Charlene Libby, a spokeswoman for the park trustees.
Frank Weymouth gave land for the park in 1926 to be used for recreation. He established an independent board of trustees to oversee the park, once called the “old fairground lot.”
The town doesn’t own the park, but selectmen work with park trustees to maintain it. “It’s very unique,” Libby said regarding the park organization that Weymouth established.
Libby recently met with selectmen to discuss potential improvements. “We’ve rolled out a plan that covers many things,” Libby said.
A spruce-up of the park could begin with removing downed pine trees on the 7.5-acre park. ‘This winter has been hard on them,” Libby said.
Cliff Emery, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said that the trees are falling. “Those old pines are dying,” he said.
Bob Libby, a selectman, said Buxton Public Works Department would pull out tree stumps. A plan likely would leave hardwood trees and build a walking path around the perimeter of the park. The path would include stone or granite benches and perhaps memorials.
The park now includes tennis and basketball courts along with two ball fields. Selectman Dan Collomy said he played baseball there as a youngster.
Improvements could include re-grassing the ball fields’ infield and some of the bleachers could be replaced under an improvement plan. Selectman Jean Harmon said the town has received “a lot” of complaints about the bleachers, which are getting old. A new set of 140-seat aluminum bleachers would cost about $9,000.
Libby said the Little League field is in good shape but the Babe Ruth League field requires attention. “It needs TLC,” Libby said.
She said there are no hazards to public safety at the park. Weymouth Park, which is at historic Tory Hill, is used for booths and vendors at the annual Buxton Community Day in the summer.
A grant would provide money to hire a landscape architect to develop a master plan for the park. The plan could include a picnic area, gazebo or a pavilion and maybe gardens.
Libby said volunteers could help with work to upgrade the park.
Brian Cousins, Sharon Elwell and Andrew Libby, who is the husband of Charlene Libby, serve as the present park trustees. Some well-known former trustees were Guy Dixon, Merton Sargent and Rudy Sawyer. The board is self-perpetuating, as trustees appoint others when a vacancy occurs.
Charlene Libby didn’t disclose a figure in the request for a grant but she hopes to hear from the foundation soon. She said the town budgets about $4,000 annually to maintain Weymouth Park.
Those wishing to volunteer to help with work or to make contributions should contact the Buxton Selectmen’s office at 929-5191.
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