Whalley Park is now in the hands of the Southwick’s Parks and Recreation Commission after last night’s Board of Selectmen approval. (File photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – Whalley Park is now in the hands of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Last night the Board of Selectmen approved turning operations of the park over to the commission after Town Meeting accepted the 70-acre park last week from John and Kathy Whalley.
The park was given to the town nearly complete, with about $1.2 million in projects remaining for the town to finish. Voters approved using $1.2 million in Community Preservation Act funds for the projects.
Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Kelly Magni asked the board when they could start spending some money.
“I’d like to get paving done,” Magni said.
He said he would like to have the paving complete before winter so the park could be used for the season for winter recreation, such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Magni also said he has already received calls from soccer leagues inquiring about renting the fields.
“I’m hoping we will be ready mid-summer to start soccer season,” he said.
Selectmen Chairman Arthur Pinell thanked commissioners for their forthcoming work.
“Thank you in advance for everything you’re going to do,” he said. ” It’s an exciting project.”
Commissioner Daniel Call said some people have a tough time envisioning the future of the park.
“It’s hard to envision it upfront – it was the same thing with the Rail Trail,” said Call. “Once it’s being used it will become an icon for the town of Southwick.”
The Commission approved continuing to use R. Levesque Associates as the architectural engineers for the remaining projects.
As the Commission moves forward, the Whalleys are finishing their final project on the land – building a pavilion. Construction is taking place this week and Magni said a 40-foot flagpole, complete with American flag and beacon light, was erected this week.
