Rockport considers $3 million philanthropic venture to make RES parcel a permanent community park
Rockport has been mulling over the future of the former Rockport Elementary School site for more than a decade. Now, there is a proposal on the table that includes a $4 million gift to the town. (Photo by James Lawrence, 2020)
The RES parcel has been used as playing and recreation fields, a spot to watch outdoor films, a place to gather and to walk dogs, ever since the old school was torn down in 2013. (Photo by James Lawrence)
Rockport has been mulling over the future of the former Rockport Elementary School site for more than a decade. Now, there is a proposal on the table that includes a $4 million gift to the town. (Photo by James Lawrence, 2020)
The RES parcel has been used as playing and recreation fields, a spot to watch outdoor films, a place to gather and to walk dogs, ever since the old school was torn down in 2013. (Photo by James Lawrence)
ROCKPORT — After many years of debate, community forums, executive session conversations and planning, a tangible proposal is before the town to make the former Rockport Elementary School permanently home to a community park.
And it is the result of a benefactor making an offer to the town.
The Rockport Select Board will discuss Monday evening at a regularly scheduled meeting a resolution of support between the Town of Rockport and the Lesher Family Foundation to make the 7.67-acre RES parcel on West Street a permanent public park and recreation area.
And to fund the project with $3 million to get it up and running.
And to give the town an additional $1 million for a municipal project that the town designates.
If the Select Board signs the resolution, the next move is for a warrant article to be placed on the June Town Meeting ballot so that the voters can decide if they like the plan.
The Lesher Family Foundation, established in 2022 with headquarters in Rockport, has pledged to give the town money to set the RES site aside for use as a park, and to fund the creation of park designs as well as public outreach efforts, “to engage with the community on park design, programming and management, and to fund the development and support the management and operation of a premier park amenity with a high level of design excellence in Rockport on the RES site by establishing a nonprofit community-based park organization dedicated to the successful implementation of a park in Rockport with revenue sources independent pf the town budget.”
In return, the town is being asked to retain the title to the RES parcel and to dedicate it for use as a public park and recreation space. Currently, the town-owned lot is assessed at $222,800.
Read the entire resolution below.
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT
This Resolution of Support is entered into between the Town of Rockport (the Town) and the Lesher Family Foundation (LFF).
- Parking lot
- Sidewalks providing access to park features
- Children’s playground area
- Water play area
- A field house with year-round accessible restrooms
- Multi-purpose playing fields
- Walking trails
- Performance space
- Dedicated areas for farmers’ markets, craft fairs and the like
The park may include some combination of the above features. Details to be confirmed in the design stage with public feedback and budget as determining factors.
6. In addition, LFF plans to hold public meetings to discuss possible additional ideas and features to include on the Property. The parties’ intent is to develop a park and recreation area that has features and areas desired by the community, as determined from community outreach meetings.
7. LFF agrees to spend the amount of $3 million on constructing the above features and such other features favored in public meetings and appropriate for the Property and consistent with the $3 million budget.
8. In addition, LFF agrees to spearhead an initiative to raise the funds necessary to ensure the ongoing availability of funds for the operation and maintenance of the park facilities. To that end, LFF proposes the establishment of an endowment for this purpose and is prepared to cover any shortfall in annual maintenance and operating costs not covered by the endowment. Such operation and maintenance shall include but not be limited to: mowing of the fields, maintenance of the grass, snow removal from the parking lot, sidewalks, restroom area and children’s playground area, and appropriate security and monitoring of the area. These services could be performed by the Town provided LFF and/or the endowment agrees to reimburse the Town for these services.
9. The Town and LFF will work together to form a public private partnership entity to administer this agreement and ensure the long term benefits of the new park and recreation area to the community of Rockport. Such entity will include representatives from the Town, the LFF, and residents of Rockport. The parties recognize that this is a long-term relationship, one that will benefit the community of Rockport, and that all are committed to working together for the good of the community in making the park and recreation area at the Property a community gathering place for all ages and in years to come.
10. This agreement is contingent on a successful, majority vote in favor by the voters of Rockport of a June 2023 ballot measure.
Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657
