Committee reviews public forum turnout and a $250,000 accessible-playground grant interest

Committee member Lucy Abisalih told the Open Space Committee on April 25 that the April 15 public forum for the town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan drew good attendance and active engagement. The forum generated survey interest and outreach leads.

Abisalih also reported she had received an email from a party interested in applying for a $250,000 grant to build an accessible playground, though the minutes do not identify the sender or list specific next steps toward an application. Sue Simmons was assigned to follow up with an interested party who missed the forum by sending a link to the plan’s survey.

Separately, a Sweetsir School teacher shared student posters about animals in the Town Forest. Committee members suggested posting the posters at the trail kiosk, along the walk into the Red Oak Trail from Winter St., or at Carey Park for Sundays events. The committee also noted that Old Home Days is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8 and agreed to plan a committee booth.

The minutes do not record formal votes regarding outreach or grant pursuit, nor do they list grant eligibility, application deadlines, or next steps beyond the follow-up task to send the survey link.