For Immediate Release

May 6, 2010

Contact: Peter Miller

(413) 562-6454

KNAPIK & HUMASON ANNOUNCE $90,000 STATE GRANT TO FUND

CHAPMAN PLAYGROUND REHAB DESIGN

WESTFIELD- State Senator Michael R. Knapik (2^nd Hampden & Hampshire), State Representative Donald F. Humason, Jr. (4^th Hampden), and Westfield Mayor Daniel M. Knapik announced today that the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs has awarded the City $90,000 for engineering services and to prepare construction documents for a long-awaited rehabilitation of Chapman Playground on St. Paul Street.

Funding was made available in a communication from Secretary Ian Bowles, through the Gateway Cities Parks initiative.  This program, created in a 2008 Environmental Bond bill, assists 22 eligible communities across the Commonwealth to develop parks in lower-income, urban neighborhoods.

“Clean, modern, and effectively-programmed public parks play a vital role in stabilizing neighborhoods,” Senator Knapik offered.  “I am pleased Governor Patrick and Secretary Bowles have deemed the Chapman Playground project worthy of funding in this latest round of planning grants,” he continued.

The Westfield Parks & Recreation Department has been working to push this project forward for the past four years.  Conceptual plans were prepared and the City had applied for a Parkland Acquisition & Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant on two separate occasions.  This $90,000 planning grant will allow for final engineering specifications and construction bid documents to be prepared.  It is anticipated the City would receive PARC grant funds for construction in a subsequent year.  Preliminary estimates peg construction costs around $750,000.

“Chapman Playground is an unpolished gem in the Westfield city parks portfolio,” Humason offered.  “Abutting the Westfield Riverwalk and its location in the heart of a neighborhood will make it a magnet for our City once it is renovated,” he continued. 

Conceptual plans call for the replacement of basketball courts, elimination of tennis courts, refurbished baseball/softball diamond, replacement of the pavilion and bathrooms, additional parking, and picnic areas.  Playground equipment will also be replaced. 

“During my time as a City Councilor, parks rehabilitation was a top priority for me and it remains that way for me as Mayor,” Knapik said.  “I look forward to a near future where a reborn Chapman Playground connects to the RiverWalk and Columbia Greenway, giving residents of this great City more attractive recreational options,” he continued.

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