Amherst's Recreation Beyond Cemetery Fields: What are the Options?

The Amherst Recreation Department is exploring what it will do after the loss of recreational space at Cemetery Fields next year.

Recreation Director Nancy McMillan presented her preliminary plan for the change to Amherst selectmen during their Monday meeting.

The Amherst Cemetery Trustees remain firm on their plan to begin construction for burial space on the property. There are currently efforts to stop this process but, as of right now, Cemetery Fields is destined to become a cemetery in September 2014.

This is a problem for many who are worried about playing field availability in town.

McMillan said that demand for playing field space in Amherst rose by 375 total uses in the past year, and projections show that demand will continue to increase. The last fiscal year saw 5,031 total uses for recreational activities, while a total of 5,739 will be needed in FY14.

These numbers don’t include any school activities occurring on the fourteen fields available in town. McMillan added that although enrollment in schools is dropping, there is growth in private sports clubs both in and out of Amherst.

So far the fields have been able to meet the demand, but the loss of Cemetery Fields will mean a large reduction in availability. A study by Gale Associates on recreational field use showed that they are being overused.

“We are lucky they are in the condition that they are,” said McMillan.

Her initial analysis of recreation after the loss of Cemetery Fields has yielded three possible solutions: acquire another property, upgrade or improve current fields or reduce how much the leftover fields can be used.

Finding New Land

McMillan said that finding a new piece of property to put playing fields on could be a huge benefit to the town. They could create a public space that could support future development according to the needs of residents.

Plus, the town would actually own the property it uses. Cemetery Fields was only developed for recreational use through a limited-time agreement with the cemetery trustees.

However, past warrants to acquire land for recreational space have been shot down by voters. Not only that, but purchasing a new piece of property could cost an estimated $335-782,000. Development of the property could range anywhere from $600,000 to $1.9 million.

Private sports clubs would also need to relocate and reschedule their events during the development of that property.

Improve What We Got

Upgrading the town’s current field space to accommodate more use is another option, according to McMillan. The town has the equipment, great maintenance staff and cooperation from the school district to make it happen.

One issue with this option is that the remaining fields will not be able to accommodate all uses, and the extra activity would take its toll on them. Costs for maintenance, supplies, equipment and labor would also increase.

Installing lighting on the fields would allow for extended us, but Amherst’s recreational space lies in residential areas that may oppose such a change.

Less Playtime

McMillan was not too keen on the option of reducing field use in a post-Cemetery Fields Amherst. She said it would help accommodate demand, but at much cost to the town’s recreation.

Private sports clubs would have less time for practice, games and tournaments. This would decrease revenue not only for the recreation department, but also for businesses that will miss out on the hundreds of potential customers that come to sports tournaments.

The extra burden might also drive these sports clubs out to nearby communities.

A Downward Slide

While much of the focus in the Cemetery Fields debate has been put on playing field space, there is also playground space at stake. McMillan doesn’t want to see the town lose the playground on the property, which is the only one in town open to the public during school hours.

Removing or relocating the playground equipment would also cost between $15-18,000. Plus, the loss of this community gathering space would be a blow to many residents, according to McMillan.

“If we don't recognize its value and don't try and accommodate it somewhere else, we will lose the goodwill,” said McMillan.

Selectmen agreed that playing field space in Amherst is an issue that needs to be looked at seriously. Whatever the fate of recreation is in town will have an impact on those who live in it.