Recreation commission considers $30,000 Healthy Cities grant to add outdoor fitness equipment

The Town of Charlton Recreation Commission discussed whether to pursue a $30,000 Healthy Cities grant to install outdoor exercise equipment and fitness stations.

Chair introduced the grant and asked members to consider site suitability and seasonal use. Chair said the town should weigh upkeep and winter usage, and proposed possible locations: an open-space area off Buffum Road that connects to the Midstate Trail and the parking area overlooking Prindle Pond. Pats, a commission member, volunteered to research the grant's scope and to inspect potential sites, saying, "I'll go and I'll look at the [Prindle Pond] because...if we created, like, a fitness playground up there it's already parking, already there." The commission agreed Pats would report back at the next meeting.

Commission members flagged maintenance and winter use as key considerations: Chair noted outdoor equipment is most used in spring, summer and early fall and raised who would maintain any new installations. Pats said she would check what the grant would cover and return with specifics by the next meeting, and the commission agreed not to make a final decision until staff-sourced cost and maintenance details are available.

Next steps: the commission will have Pats research the grant requirements, confirm whether eligible sites are on town-owned land, and prepare cost and maintenance estimates for discussion at the Aug. 10 meeting.