EAST LONGMEADOW – The town is investigating the possibility of potentially creating recreational field space on undeveloped acreage located at Heritage Park.

Director of Recreation Colin Drury told Reminder Publications Northampton-based Berkshire Design Group is working to complete a feasibility study of the area for $25,000, which was appropriated through the Community Preservation Act during the October 2015 Special Town Meeting.

“Historically speaking, the town has always had this issue of not enough fields, not enough field space [and] not enough athletic fields … The Recreation Commission wanted to look at property that was already owned by the town,” he added.

Department of Public Works (DPW) Superintendent Robert Peirent said Heritage Park consists of approximately 65 acres and about 40 are undeveloped. However, significant portions of the undeveloped acreage are wetlands.

“What you see when you drive by [Heritage Park] are the ball fields, the pond, the pavilion, and the dog park,” he explained. “This is the developed portion of the park right now, more or less. It goes back quite a distance.

Drury said the feasibility study would also focus on the delineations for wetland areas at Heritage Park. It would also seek to answer questions such as whether the space between the wetlands could be used for athletic fields and if the wetlands could be utilized for possible nature trails and other recreational uses.

“One of my number one goals in taking the position in East Longmeadow is having a more holistic approach to recreation,” he added. “We do need more athletic fields, but we also need walking trails, fitness trails, and possibly more indoor facilities as well.

Peirent said there is also sloping constraints on the property.  

“It requires grading changes,” he added. “Often times if you’re going to put fields in it might require terracing of the fields and that will effect the cost. It will affect how many fields you can locate on the site because the terracing consumes space. It is definitely a developable site.”

Drury said the feasibility study would likely be completed in the next couple months.

“We hope to look to the next steps to really understand what’s next for the property,” he added. “We have general knowledge now on the space, on the wetlands, and where things can be put. The real next step is selecting those items and really looking at exactly what we want to happen at the property.”

The Board of Selectmen’s office became involved with the project through the work of former interim Town Administrator Greg Moyer, Peirent said. Other departments and committees participating with the project include the School Committee and district as well as DPW and Recreation representatives.

Drury said one of the biggest steps ahead for the project is the cost of different options for potential developments at the park.

“Then we could go from the concept stage to the recommendation stage,” he noted. “I think that’s our next step – really to get that a la carte menu of different aspects and facilities that could be put at Heritage Park – and then really as a committee say that, ‘This is how we think this park will best serve the community.’”

Concepts for developing the park include amphitheaters, a community center, multi-use fields, outdoor basketball courts and additional parking spaces.

“We do have some current parking constraints at this property right now,” he noted.