Park Concept
The goal for
Sterling Greenery Community Park is to provide a gathering space
for the entire Sterling community. There is currently no place in town
where people of all ages can gather to socialize, enjoy the outdoors,
and exercise during the day free of charge. The pavilion, benches,
picnic tables, walking paths, landscaping, and science/nature theme
elements are all intended to make the Park inviting to both adults and
children.
Muddy Pond Community Park will offer children and adults the following:
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Playground featuring state-of-the-art equipment including: a
net structure, rubber bridges, a playhouse, swings, and much more. The
playground will be wheelchair accessible and enclosed by a gated fence.
Separate areas within the playground will be designated for kids under
five and for kids age five to 12.
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Wheelchair- and stroller-accessible walking paths that circle
the pond and connect with the fields (soccer, baseball, and football)
and the basketball courts behind the Chocksett School.
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Science and nature themes will be used to unify the various
features of Muddy Pond Community Park and make it truly unique. The
science/nature theme will be incorporated into the types of playground
equipment (e.g. frog to climb on, mushrooms to jump over, and
equipment demonstrating the principals of physics) and other aspects of
the Park to engage kids and adults.
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Landscaping to help delineate the play areas, provide
protection from the sun, and enhance the natural beauty of the area,
which includes a pond, forest, and fields. Low-maintenance native plants
will be used to reduce water dependency and because they are well suited
to native plant and animal species on the site.
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Pavilion for group gatherings and protection from the sun.
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Benches and picnic tables for relaxing and eating.
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Parking area that is easily accessible from main road with
plenty of space as well as bike racks.
What was the process
for determining the design of Muddy Pond Community Park?
Extensive research was conducted to determine the best way to design the
Park so that it meets the needs of Sterling children and adults. The
committee visited nearly 30 playgrounds in the area, solicited feedback
from Sterling residents through a survey that was distributed at public
locations throughout town in the spring of 2005, and conducted a focus
group with children in the fall of 2005. Parents of children with
disabilities were also asked for input in January of 2006 through a
survey that was mailed to members of Central Massachusetts Families
Organizing for Change, a nonprofit that helps provide opportunities for
people with disabilities and their families. Once the needs of kids an
adults were clearly understood, the committee researched the top
playground equipment manufacturers in the area and asked five of them to
submit proposals. Ashland-based Goric Marketing Group was chosen to
design the play equipment because it has nearly 30 years of experience
building fun and unique equipment that is accessible to kids of all ages
and abilities.
What were the
results of the research process?
~ Make play structures interesting and different
~ Fence in the play area
~ Provide open space for running around
~ Provide infant and toddler swings
~ Provide group gathering spots and picnic areas
~ Address pest control
~ Make equipment suitable for children with physical limitations
~ Maintain park equipment and grounds
What are some of the
benefits of play, according to experts?
According to teachers and child development experts, play offers many
benefits for children including:
~ Puts learning into action
~ Develops social interactions
~ Develops spatial concepts
~ Improves health with a stronger body and prepares the brain for
cognitive
~ Improves hand-eye-body coordination performance
~ Promotes muscle development
~ Improves concentration
~ Encourages creative play
~ Refines motor skills
~ Stimulates the intellect and prepares the brain for cognitive
performance
~ Develops coordination
How was the site for
Muddy Pond Community Park chosen?
Several locations around town were considered and the Muddy Pond and
Griffin Roads site was chosen because it offers a large amount of open
space, plenty of parking, is easily accessible, and has natural features
(e.g. a pond) that are being used to create a unique setting for the
Park.
How is Muddy
Pond Community Park different from the one that’s behind the Houghton
School?
Muddy Pond Community Park will be open to the public daily from dawn to
dusk. It will be easily accessible from Muddy Pond and Griffin Roads.
There will be two play areas specially designed for younger kids (ages
five and under) and older kids (age five to 12). Muddy Pond Community
Park and some of the play equipment will be designed for those with
physical limitations. Muddy Pond Community Park will also provide
opportunities for adults to socialize while walking on nature trails or
sitting at benches and picnic tables.
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Upcoming Events!
PARKAPALOOZA 2009 has been CANCELLED due to inclement weather!!!!
Sponsored
by Bib's Auto Repair!
Click
here for all the event details!
SPARC offers prints of watercolor
"Sterling Treasures"
Click
here for all the details!
2009 SPRING CLEAN-UP
Saturday, MAY 9 th
at 10 A.M.
Everyone is invited to help out!
Even the kids!
Feel free to bring a bagged
lunch and stay awhile or just a bit - whatever works for YOU!
SPARC is proud to announce that
we are now offering a volunteer incentive:
For every 25 hours of adult (16 years +) volunteer time spent toward the
progress of the park, SPARC will install a brick in the pathway in your name
(or perhaps someone else’s if you have already purchased one.)
Click
here for all the event details!
How to help:
- Volunteering your time
- Sponsorship of play equipment
- Purchasing a personalized brick
Contact us
If you're
interested in becoming a volunteer or finding out more information about
the Park, you can contact the committee in the following ways:
Email
info@sgpark.org
Phone
978-422-3041
Mail
Sterling Recreation Dept./SPARC
One Park Street
Sterling, MA 01564
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