Brandon Twp.- The township board took another step toward bringing new ball fields and improved recreation to the community at their Jan. 4 meeting.
The board unanimously approved a $15,000 contract with Hubbell, Roth and Clark to provide engineering services regarding expansion of the park. The HRC proposal includes site evaluation, concept plans, estimate of costs, site phasing, and identification of grant opportunities for a more recently acquired parcel of land across from the community park at 1414 N. Hadley Road as well as an evaluation and cost estimate for land balancing of phase three of the existing park, where baseball fields are planned.
‘This estimate is crucial,? said Recreation Director Fred Waybrant. ‘Now is the time to buckle down and work on baseball fields. Hopefully we can move forward in using the $359,000 in designated cell tower funds.?
The township purchased two parcels of land in 2013 located on the west side of Hadley Road. The properties were obtained from the county after they had been foreclosed on, and were attractive to the township for their location and size, 4.16 acres and 4.24 acres respectively, as well as low price’far below market value at about $4,500 for each property.
The land could have many uses and HRC will perform a site walkthrough, take soil samples, evaluate access, and create two or three possible site configurations that consider soccer/lacrosse fields, practice baseball fields, parking, pavilions, and more.
The HRC contract will also give a cost estimate for land balancing for baseball fields in the eastern portion of the original park land.
Baseball fields have been a long time coming and are desperately needed.
During baseball season, area Little League players are forced to use fields at Sherman Village Park, which have a depth of 160 feet, back up to each other and create a safety hazard for 10-12 year-olds who can hit balls over the fence and potentially in to a player in another game.
With the pick up in the economy and decisions by the board to begin pursuing grants again as well as use cell tower revenue for park development, the township is again moving toward park expansion and new baseball fields.
‘Now that things are getting better, we see more support for the park in general,? said Waybrant. ‘People are getting involved. If we have land balancing this year, we could have practice fields in 2017.?
Competitive playing fields will take longer. Phase 2 of the Brandon Township Community Park involves installation of four baseball fields and a parking lot. Total cost of phase 2 is expected to be between $600,000 and $900,000.