Fundraising begins for new Bulgarmarsh Park

TIVERTON — Fundraising for an estimated $850,000 facelift for Bulgarmarsh Park began in earnest Monday night when the town Recreation Commission updated the town council on ambitious plans for the long-neglected area.

Jack Cook, chairman of the commission, and Gary Rose, a member, are part of a subcommittee charged with bringing the park back to life. On Monday they reviewed for the council the renovations and new features included in the proposals, and outlined the variety of fund-raising initiatives being launched.

The park will include two basketball courts, a skateboard park, a refurbished baseball field, two children's playgrounds, a half-mile walking track, benches, picnic tables, a concession stand, an open play area, and handicapped accessible bathrooms.

A re-arranged parking area that will accommodate 60 to 75 cars is planned, with safer access to and from Bulgarmarsh Road.

The park's proposed re-do comes at a time when the surrounding area is undergoing something of a renaissance. Immediately to the east, possibly sharing the same access road and parking, is the site for the town's new library, for which the final land transfer paperwork is in the works.

And just to the south, sharing a common boundary, is the 190-200 acre artists community at Sandywoods Farm, funding for which was recently approved.

Park now crumbling

The Blugarmarsh rec area is now in bad shape. What used to be a series of tennis courts is now an old unfenced asphalt surface riddled with grass-filled cracks. Four basketball courts are reduced to two backboards with hoops. The fence around the baseball diamond is rusted andleaning in places. Three old picnic tables, one with just one bench, sit in the grass. A play area is little more than a weedy sand pit with four swings and a handful of worn out climbing toys. Broken glass and trash are scattered here and there.

The park, originally a gift to the town sometime in the early 1970's, has seen better days. What are now the basketball courts used to be an ice rink.

Fund-raising ideas

Mr. Cook and Mr. Rose are optimistic about fund-raising. They speak confidently about raising about $350,000 through grants. About $200,000 of that amount is expected to come through a grant from the Department of Environmental Management, which has money raised from the sale of bonds about two years ago that can be allocated for the purpose.

Another $150,000 might be raised through a grant from the Champlin Foundation, Mr. Rose hopes.

The balance of the money will be raised locally, said Mr. Cook and Mr. Rose, some of it through in--kind service they hope to secure.

The group already has about $60,000 in hand, $30,000 of which has been raised iby a group (lead by Jeff Smith) supporting the construction of a skateboard park. An additional $10,000 (estimated) came through the fund-raising efforts of local residents including Chris Passmore, a self-confessed basketball fanatic who for several years spearheaded efforts to rehab the courts.

"It's been a slow process, and we have a pretty ambitious timeline," said Mr. Rose.

Among the money-raising ideas is the sale of engraved bricks. For $150 anyone can buy a specially fired 4" by 8" brick carrying the name of the donor, or someone he or she would like to honor. The brick will form part of a "Bulgarmarsh Walk" at the park.

Donors could give a tree, which would have a small plaque at its base acknowledging the donation (the donation requested would be in the range of $300 to $500). A park bench would require a $1,500 donation Donations will also be sought for playground equipment and other features.

A benefit basketball game, featuring the Harlem Wizards playing a local pick-up team, is set for Sunday, April 20 at 2 p.m. in the Tiverton High School gym. The Wizards are known for their mix of trick moves, skill, humor, show-boating and razzle-dazzle. A prior appearance in March 2006 raised about $4,000.

Other ideas include a possible carnival, concerts, dinner dances, benefit softball games, and a skateboard demonstration, Mr. Cook said.

Mr. Cook said that at present there are no plans to ask the town for money. "We're hoping the townspeople will get behind the fundraising and support us without this being a taxable item," he said.

Bulgarmarsh Park

Timeline:

March 2008 (start fundraising), February 2009 (project out to bid), April 2009 (begin demolition), June 2009 (begin construction), October 2009 ( project completion).

Park features

* Skateboard park: 100 x 100 ft.; $75,000 (est. total cost); $30,000 raised already

* Baseball field: resurface with clay mix; new scoreboard, fencing

* Basketball courts: two full length

* Children's playgrounds: two areas (one for up to 3 years old, the other for 4 to 7 year olds)

* Walking track: half mile

* Re-arranged parking: access road, single entry/exit from Bulgarmarsh Road

* Other: open play area, park benches, picnic areas, concession stand, handicap accessible bathrooms

Contact information for donations:

Tiverton Recreation/Bulgarmarsh Park Fundraiser, Town Hall, 343 Highland Road, Tiverton, RI 02878.

By Tom Killin Dalglish

tdalglish@eastbaynewspapers.com

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