Newburyport Park Inspections Revised October 2013 270 Water Street

Safety Issues Other repairs and/or cosmetics

Several dead shrubs need to be replaced Unused gate post left by National Grid Some grassy areas sparse and in need of

Actions taken

contractor should be removed improvement

IMPROVEMENTS

NEEDS

An unused gate post left by National Grids contractor needs to be removed. A professional landscaping contract keeps the park looking generally well-kept, though some grass areas (below) are sparse and in need of improvement.

Several dead shrubs resulting from lack of irrigation need to be replaced.

ATKINSON COMMON
Safety Issues Piles of brush along border with Lower Atkinson present fire hazard Some trees present a safety hazard to pedestrians Other repairs and/or cosmetics
Trees need maintenance program to keep

Actions taken Resurfaced tennis courts Working with DPW to remove brush piles CPA funding secured to address safety issues with trees Parks Commission reviewing rules signage in all parks before repairing then will replace sign Repaired Plummer Ave entrance damage and connector driveway to Lower Atkinson Coordinating with Planning Director to deal with encroachment on park by neighbors. Refinished Civil War Memorial tablets and reconstructed memorial plaza with brick and granite pavers.

them healthy and to avoid safety hazards related to untended deadwood Granite bollard broken Rules signage needs replacing Dumping a problem along Chase Street entry area & behind Plummer Ave residences encroaching on park Lily Ponds need new curbing and sealant to prevent leaks

IMPROVEMENTS

BEFORE

AFTER

Tennis courts were resurfaced and newly striped with the inclusion of Under10 lines.

Tarnished Civil War Memorial tablets were refinished and the deteriorating memorial plaza was reconstructed with brick and granite pavers and dedicated in May 2013.
Newburyport Parks Inspections, Fall 2013, Page 2

ATWOOD PARK
Safety Issues
Chain link fence rusted & detached Ditch & cracks in tennis court area

Other repairs and/or cosmetics

Tennis net missing & posts broken Cracks in asphalt of basketball court Brick wall broken in three places; brick Benches need sanding, sealing Brick bench broken, needs 6 new bricks Graffiti on basketball backboard

Actions taken
Coordinated sponsorship program with

needs re-pointing

Opportunity Works & Hennessey Landscaping to maintain the park weekly; lawn quality has improved; trees have been mulched Secured CPA funding & seeking Morrill funding to carry out phased improvement project

NEEDS

Drawing above depicts planned improvements at Atwood Park. The former tennis court will receive a new asphalt surface to provide a safe place for kids to ride bikes, scooters, etc.; the colored circles represent an area where a bike riding track will be painted; new planting bed with street trees line the edge of School Street; new fencing will be installed; and a concrete table tennis unit would be placed where the originally planned bocce court is pictured above. Since this drawing was done, the bocce court was removed from the plan due to maintenance concerns and additional, ornamental fencing was added between the play area and the School Street planting bed.

Newburyport Parks Inspections, Fall 2013, Page 3

AYERS PLAYGROUND
Safety Issues Other repairs and/or cosmetics
Basketball court needs repaving &

Actions taken New safety surfacing installed Spring toys replaced New landscape ties installed Touched up paint on play structures and benches; removed graffiti from slides Installed new basketball nets

relining Track ride handle missing Decals peeling off of alphabet toy Walkway, cobble plaza and play area weedy One bench needs painting Signpost needs painting

IMPROVEMENTS

NEEDS

BEFORE

AFTER

Asphalt basketball court and play area is in need of resurfacing and re-lining.

Replacement of broken swing toys and new safety surfacing are among multiple safety and other deferred maintenance issues addressed at Ayers Playground.

Some portions of the climbing structure have been touched up but more touching up remains.

Newburyport Parks Inspections, Fall 2013, Page 4

BARTLET MALL/FROG POND

Safety Issues Other repairs and/or cosmetics

Actions taken

Water quality poor; potentially hazardous to people and pets Deadwood hanging over picnic tables at Auburn Street end of park Need new swing mats and mat under spinning component on play structure Landscape ties need replacing Bolt remaining from missing bench needs to be cut off

Basketball area needs re-paving Play lot weedy Picnic tables need paint touch up (black) Weedy around bike racks Small water bubbler broken Fence along High Street could use painting Track ride has mildew, needs cleaning Street trees along Pond St. need pruning

Repaired all lighting Replaced swing chains Under-surface aerators installed in pond to increase dissolved oxygen Installing new piping to increase volume of water flow in fountain Writing RFP to determine best approach for pond cleanup Weeds controlled on High Street promenade Contracted for weed control on all walkways. Asked Tree Warden to address deadwood in willow

IMPROVEMENTS

NEEDS

A basketball court which doubles as winter parking is in serious need of resurfacing and restriping.

Retaining edge around swings is rotting and has exposed spikes.

In addition to getting the fountain flowing again, four underwater aerators were installed with the aim of increasing dissolved oxygen levels in the pond to improve water quality. Work continues to improve volume of flow in the central fountain.

Swing mats are deteriorated and need replacement.

Newburyport Parks Inspections, Fall 2013, Page 5

BROWN SQUARE
Safety Issues Other repairs and/or cosmetics
Paint on sign post peeling Interpretive sign panels delaminating

Actions taken
Working with sign company to replace

interpretive panels that are delaminating

CASHMAN PARK
Safety Issues
Granite benches unstable due to erosion Walkway from Merrimack St. to river

Other repairs and/or cosmetics Cashman lawn sparse, needs re-seeding Cracks & puddles on basketball court One seahorse spring toy missing Bolts need tightening on Tot Lot climbing structure Dog bubbler not working

Actions taken
Replaced spiral slide Installed new safety surfacing Re-welded mast on central ship climbing Installed swing mats

badly cracked

structure

IMPROVEMENTS

NEEDS

While many landscape ties were replaced, further work needs to be done to address New safety surfacing, along with swing mats have been installed.

While many landscape ties were replaced, further work needs to be done to address rotting ties.

Newburyport Parks Inspections, Fall 2013, Page 6

CLIPPER CITY RAIL TRAIL

Safety Issues Several trees with deadwood and one dead tree needs removal near waterfront Other repairs and/or cosmetics
Low Street slope needs weeding Graffiti an ongoing problem: under Gillis

Actions taken
Coordinated ongoing volunteer work on

Bridge; on trash can near waterfront; under High Street bridge; electrical bunker; bench just south of Low Street Grass couches dilapidated, need removal Need mulch around all benches Shrubs near Parker St need pruning of deadwood Large limb to be removed north of labyrinth peace offering sculpture Peace offering sculpture needs washing, waxing, buffing Mural needs washing Interpretive panels delaminating Low Street spur path garden needs renovating Will He needs repair Invasives need removal

berry labyrinth, geometric gardens and Washington Street gateway gardens. Volunteer dog waste pickup ongoing; Repaired Parker Street crossing light Renovated Parker Street gateway garden using volunteers Increased maintenance of Washington Street gateway dog refuse receptacle to reduce odors Increased management of dog waste cleanup Contacted sign maker about replacing interpretive panels Asked Green Artist League to remove unkempt plantings south of Haleys access path

INN STREET PLAYGROUND/MARKET LANDING/BULLNOSE

Safety Issues Other repairs and/or cosmetics
Missing steering wheel on play structure Park perimeter looks barren, needs Benches on Bullnose could use

Actions taken New landscaping mulch purchased and installed by DPS Coordinating design for landscaping perimeter of play area

landscaping refinishing

JASON SAWYER PLAYGROUND

Safety Issues Other repairs and/or cosmetics
Broken game table Chess boards rusting Pavilion posts rusting, support beams Basketball backboard needs replacing Paint needs touching up: track ride, Need snow fence behind climbing net

Actions taken
Basketball backboard replaced Installed new swing mats Parks Commission directed removal of

corroded, need to replace or remove hand rails, green bar over slide

pavilion structure

IMPROVEMENTS

NEEDS

BEFORE

AFTER

Basketball backboard and hoop was replaced with a new, weatherproof model.

Pavilion supports are corroded beyond repair.

Newburyport Parks Inspections, Fall 2013, Page 7

JOPPA PARK
Safety Issues

Other repairs and/or cosmetics

Actions taken
Working with State Dept of Fish and Funding approved by CPC for creation of Partial funding approved for benches,

New sink holes in walkway by seawall, walkway needs to be replaced

Grass showing weeds and bare spots Benches need replacement Rose hedge needs weeding and mulch Central garden needs renovation Water Street sidewalk in poor condition

Game to replace boat ramp interpretive panels

bench plazas through Mayor Gayden W. Morrill Charitable Foundation and CPA Three dead rosebushes replaced under warranty Asked DPS to patch sinkholes

Above Left: Joppa Park walkway is prone to sinkholes and needs to be replaced. Above right: benches are old & damaged and need repair and/or replacing.

MARCHS HILL
Safety Issues
Stair landings falling apart; stairs a

Other repairs and/or cosmetics

Basketball court cracked Needs two new basketball rims & one Signpost needs painting

Actions taken Consulting with Planning Office about reconfiguration of park entrance in conjunction with Rail Trail extension project DPS installed partial hand rail on left of stairs

hazard

net

NEEDS

Left: Staircase partially repaired with additional handrail installed. Stair landing still in disrepair. Plans for Clipper City Rail Trail will reconfigure park entry, and install a new, granite staircase.

Newburyport Parks Inspections, Fall 2013, Page 8

MOSELEY WOODS
Safety Issues
Needs more wood fiber safety

Other repairs and/or cosmetics

Steering wheel needs tightening Stone wall damaged Erosion problems along waterfront Lawn being used to stage equipment Broken split rails on trail near Pavilion Stove pipe should be removed or

Actions taken
Additional wood fiber safety surfacing Consulting with round-a-bout contractor Added Gladiator dog refuse receptacle

surfacing around all play structures

being installed

pathways

re: lawn repair-improvement

from Round-A-Bout project

and contracted with Doody Calls to maintain it to reduce litter issues

planted to discourage use as a grill under pine trees Picnic table top Trex boards warped Touch up paint needed on central play structure Invasive vines damaging trees on property line with Swindlehurst property

IMPROVEMENTS

NEEDS

An old grill base encourages use of fire where fires are prohibited.

Synthetic planks on one of the pavilion picnic tables are warped, need replacing.

To reduce a litter problem in the park, an additional dog waste receptacle was installed and is being maintained as part of the citys contract with Doody Calls.

Portions of the central climbing structure need touch up paint.

Additional wood fiber safety surfacing is needed around all play structures.

Several split rails need to be replaced.

Newburyport Parks Inspections, Fall 2013, Page 9

PERKINS PARK
Safety Issues

Other repairs and/or cosmetics

Equipment replacements needed to

Actions taken
Repaired & re-shingled sandbox

replace: two spring toys; ship; fire truck Playground grass areas needs replacement, fertilizing and maintenance Ball field grass slope needs repair Too much signage is an eyesore Lichen on benches. Park sign rotting, needs replacement Cracked swing chains on tire swing Tire swing support beam needs repainting Graffiti on port-o-potty shed; consider securing shed with doors

structure, and wooden entrance structure; added new sand Installed new slides Installed new play wood fiber safety surfacing Installed new play sand

IMPROVEMENTS

NEEDS

BEFORE

AFTER

Missing play structures (right) and ragged landscaping gives the park an un-cared for look.

The declining sand box structure and park entrance cupola were shored up, given new decking and new shake shingle roofs.

Chain link fence is bulging and needs re-fastening.

Tire swing chains are cracked and need replacing.

Old, damaged slides were replaced.

Tire swing support beam is rusted and needs painting.

Newburyport Parks Inspections, Fall 2013, Page 10

SKATE PARK
Safety Issues Other repairs and/or cosmetics
Chunks of concrete are chipped from

Actions taken Youth Services applied annual sealant Youth Services called for volunteers to repair concrete under coping

under the coping; normal wear and tear

NEEDS

Chunks of concrete have been broken away from under the coping, or upper metal edge, of some of the bowls. Here the damage can be seen at the far side of the small bowl in the foreground. This is normal wear and tear which Youth Services repairs every couple of years.

THREE ROADS
Safety Issues Other repairs and/or cosmetics
Twigs and brush need to be raked Water trough needs painting Trees and bushes could use mulch to

Actions taken

make the park look more well-kept

TRACY SQUARE
Safety Issues Other repairs and/or cosmetics
Benches need refinishing Entrance garden beds needs mulch Leaves need to be raked

Actions taken

NEEDS

Park needs some TLC to look well-kept: benches need refinishing; leaves need to be raked; entrance garden beds needs mulching, possibly relandscaping.
Newburyport Parks Inspections, Fall 2013, Page 11

WOODMAN PARK
Safety Issues Other repairs and/or cosmetics
Basketball court cracked Climbing structures need touch up

Actions taken
Installed new wood fiber safety surfacing Installed swing mats to reduce wear of Partially cleaned climbing structures Partially touched up paint on climbing Coordinating with neighbors to volunteer Coordinating with Pioneer League to

(red & tan, steering wheels, handrails, steps) Climbing structures and picnic tables mildewed Trash cans look dilapidated Baseball infield overgrown Nu-oak benches need cleaning One sound tube broken off Ruts in parking lot Landscaping ties around parking lot rotted

wood fiber safety surfacing structures labor

improve ball field Removed used pile of backstop fencing Replaced broken swing seat Tightened handles on play structure Replaced basketball rim

IMPROVEMENTS

NEEDS

Landscaping ties that border the parking lot are rotted, need replacement.

Some portions of the climbing structures have been repainted, but many components still need touch up paint.

One sound tube is broken off. Photo on left shows what it should look like. On right is what remains of the damaged play piece.

Playground safety surfacing was replenished to improve safety and mulch spread around trees and parking lot to make the park look well-kept.

While the outfield, used as a soccer field, is in good shape, this ballfield needs a backstop and fencing and the infield needs to be repaired and maintained.
Newburyport Parks Inspections, Fall 2013, Page 12

Newburyport Parks Inspections, Fall 2013, Page 13