KHPG Friends and Supporters
Big Thanks! We’re Almost There!
For months you've spread the word, put signs on your lawns, signed the petition (529 strong), and written letters to the Valley Courier Editor. Then, on May 22nd, dozens of you showed up in person to the public hearing. You spoke eloquently and respectfully to Keep Hubbard Park Green! Thank you!
Our goal that night was to walk away from the meeting with a commitment from the Town to take our suggestions seriously and to keep the door open for continued conversation.
On Wednesday, June 5th, a small contingent of us attended the Selectmen’s bi-monthly meeting to learn more. The Town presented a revised design plan from the one shared at our Public Hearing. See below.
What we saw and applaud is one park entrance, no gravel for parking (although there will be some asphalt for the handicapped parking spaces) and a verbal commitment by the Town to explore a drivable turf that is successful longterm.
What’s still of concern for us are two long permanent timber guardrails (that cut off the open green play space 10 months out of the year.)
We're suggesting and sourcing removable parking bollards/stanchions that can be stored when the Little League season is over.
Although other inspired elements of the KHPG design, such as the winding trail around the Park and the addition of benches, did not make it into the Town’s revised plan—we did walk away from the meeting with an understanding from the Selectmen, that the Town...
- is committed to a drivable green turf design solution that will last (as mentioned above), and
- has a willingness to consider removable parking bollards versus permanent timber guardrails.
There's no planned second public hearing, so what's left for us to do is ensure that the above two issues get done.
We’ll be following up with the Town again. As Selectwoman Stacia Libby said herself at the meeting, “We’re so close!”
Thank you for your continued support! Keep your KHPG signs up! If you have any knowledge of—or access to—sourcing temporary bollards/stanchions, please let us know!
We look forward to celebrating with you all, we hope, soon!
The Keep Hubbard Park Green Team
Please join us in preserving the play lawn of Hubbard Park!
The Town of Essex is planning to replace the park's open grassy play space along North Main Street with a 38-car parking lot–bordered by bollards and a concrete sidewalk the length of the park. (See Site Plan Prepared for Town of Essex below.)
Construction is slated for this summer, yet the public has only recently become aware of this plan.
We have concerns about it, namely: the reduction of the existing multi-use green space; the impact of a paved/graveled parking lot; and, of course, the aesthetics.
We propose an alternative.
Picture a park design that allows both informal play and seasonal lawn parking on a surface such as reinforced turf. Add in bike racks, benches, a drinking fountain, a walking path and we have a design that puts people ahead of parking. (See Keep Hubbard Park Green Schematic Design Plan below.)
A reinforced lawn is a win for all.
Retaining Hubbard Park’s open lawn preserves this rare and unique communal public space in Essex that brings together people from across the villages —
- from Little Leaguers and their siblings who use the park in the spring to families who play catch in the summer and football on holidays
- from kids learning to ride bikes to walkers, joggers, and volleyballers
- from frisbee throwers to kite flyers
- from sledders to cross-country skiers and so many others.
Frequently Asked Questions
- We support the Little League and the efforts to update the concessions stand and reposition the sand volleyball court as planned .
- ADA compliant, inclusive restrooms reinforce that this park is for everyone.
- The choice is pavement and gravel or natural lawn when it comes to parking. Natural
grass with reinforced soil underneath provides safe, convenient parking for families and maintains a safe play area for siblings during games.
- The alternative plan from KHPG widens the current entry road, protects pedestrian access, and designates a parking area.
- Additional steps like chalk lines on grass could be utilized rather than resorting to asphalt and gravel.
- The choice is not parking or no parking. Rather, do we utilize paving or maintain a natural lawn?
- The alternative plan provides for preserving green space and allows parking when needed. Once the grass lawn is removed, an asphalt and gravel parking lot remains when cars drive away.
- Utilizing natural grass with reinforced soil underneath is an option that allows for both informal play and occasional car parking .
- Reinforced turf maintains natural grass on the surface, but the soil underneath the ground is reinforced to support heavier traffic and improve drainage.
- There are many types of reinforced turf that allow for parking and maintain a grass play area on the surface.
- Long-term maintenance is more manageable than asphalt and gravel because it only needs to be mowed, and it doesn't cause water run-off.
This grant, and the idea of improving Hubbard Park, are welcomed. Let's leverage this opportunity to:
- Improve park access for kids of all ages.
- Maintain a unique, multi-use play space for kids and families of all ages.
- Retain green space befitting a historic village.
- This project could be inclusive of all community voices and still be shovel ready this summer.
- The terms of the grant would still be met without sacrificing green space; move forward with the concession stand and ADA compliant bathrooms.
- The application submitted for the grant indicated "No Opposition,” but there are clear
concerns held by constituents. Urgency shouldn't circumvent putting forward a responsible plan.
Spread the Word
- Keep a year-round Grassy Play Lawn!
- Keep a park that puts People before Parking!
- Keep Hubbard Park Green for Little League and ALL athletes, big & small!
Keep Hubbard Park Green Schematic Design Plan
Reinforced Turf Parking for 38 Cars with Stonedust Circuit Path and Benches
Show Your Support
Revised Site Plan Prepared for Town of Essex
Grass Parking Bordered by Bollards (Source: essexct.gov)
Site Plan (09/14/23) Prepared for Town of Essex
Asphalt and Gravel Parking for 38 Cars Bordered by Bollards and Concrete Sidewalks (Source: essexct.gov)
For More Information
HUBBARD PARK
69 North Main Street, Essex, CT 06426
Copyright © 2024 Keep Hubbard Park Green - All Rights Reserved.
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