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September 4,
2009
Parks & Rec
Dept. works on master plan
By DARRELL HALEN
GOFFSTOWN -
Goffstown residents have the opportunity to let recreation officials know what kinds of programs and facilities they would like to see in town.
Close to 6,300 copies of a public opinion survey have been mailed to residents. The information collected, and a community workshop, will help the town’s Parks and Recreation Commission craft a master plan.
“We’re trying to lay out a blueprint for the future,”
said Parks and Recreation director Dave French.
The survey was developed by a master plan committee.
Some of the questions ask how often respondents use certain recreational facilities and what they think of them, what activities they participate townin, how important they think it is to add or upgrade certain facilities and programs, and how such improvements should be funded.
Results will be tabulated and used to develop the agenda for the workshop, which takes place Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Mountain View Middle School.
“I look at this as an opportunity to see what residents want,” said French who hopes the commission will submit a report on the master plan to selectmen in early November.
The survey, one per household, requires only a few minutes to fill out. Residents are asked to place them in a return box by Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Boxes are located at the town’s recreation center, Town Hall, the fire station on Church Street, Hannaford supermarket, Goffstown Public Library, Bartlett Elementary School, Grasmere General Store, Pinardville fire station, Goffstown Ace Hardware, Allard Center YMCA and Howe’s Pharmacy.
The master plan committee includes representatives of various groups, known as stakeholders, who have been meeting since mid-May.
These include the town’s park and recreation commission, Tri-Town Soccer, Screamin’ Eagles Football, Goffstown Junior Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball, Babe Ruth Softball, Goffstown Rails to Trails, Crispin’s House, the town’s conservation commission, Goffstown Main Street Program and the UNH Cooperative Extension for Hillsborough County.
“I think we have a good variety of folks,” said French.
The survey is also available on several local Web sites, including
www.town.goffstown.nh.us, and
goffstownresidentsassociation.com.
The Parks and Recreation Department has three full-time employees, a budget of roughly $370,000, maintains 225 acres of grounds, runs about 60 programs, has two outdoor pools and employs 10 lifeguards, four playground supervisors, and two seasonal maintenance workers.
Approximately 150 volunteers help coach and run programs. The department also takes care of the fields for school interscholastic contests.
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