===PAGE 1===
Town of Lunenburg 
Park Commission 
Meeting Minutes 
April 26, 2025 
TC Passios Gymnasium 
1)A. Schiepers called the meeting to order at 10am. Present: A. Scheipers, C. Shapiro, K. Menard, C. Sullivan 
2) Marshall Park Project Informational Presentation with Landscape Architect and Project Manager - Commission presented attached 
presentation. 
3) C. Sullivan motioned to adjourn at 10:45am. K. Menard seconded. Passed 4-0
Anita Scheipers, Chair
Colleen Shapiro, Vice Chair
Karin Menard, Clerk
Chris Sullivan, Member
Tim Lawless, Member
960 Mass Ave.
Lunenburg, MA 01462
978.582.4146
Parks@LunenburgMA.gov
Scheipers
Approved 7/30/25
===PAGE 2===
Connecting Lunenburg 
Through A Shared Space
Marshall Park Master Plan & Revitalization Project
===PAGE 3===
Project Discussion
1.WhyMarshall Park?
2.What Do We Get from This Project?
3.Proposed Scope Cost & How Do We Pay for It
4.Important Factors
5.Questions?
===PAGE 4===
1. WhyMarshall Park?OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN 2019 to 2026|SECTION 8: GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Goal 1: Enhance and promote existing open space and recreation assets
Objective 1.B: Master plan restoration and enhancement of key recreation resources
Marshall Park: This resource was once the centerpiece of Lunenburg’s 
recreation and civic activities.Today, it mostly serves as baseball and softball 
fields for a limited portion of the year and serves a small segment of the 
town’s population.Thoughtful and coordinated revitalization of this unique 
resource could meet many identified town needs. A master plan should be 
developed to guide the revitalization of Marshall Park to maximize its use.
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Marshall Park Master Plan VisionGoal: to build a park that meets today’s needs, inspires tomorrow’s 
possibilities, and honors the rich history of our town.
A shared outdoor space, connected with nature, history, and our 
town identity.
Where Lunenburg residents of all ages and abilities come together 
for fun, fitness, and community.
A community space that delivers the most value for the most 
residents, supports our schools and youth athletics, while fostering 
friendships, new connections, good health, and good times.
===PAGE 6===
Existing Conditions

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Specific Benefits
Strengthens Schools: Renovation 
provides upgraded baseball and 
softball fields with improved facilities 
for middle and high school students.
Supports Youth Sports: Improved 
facilities for Youth Ball League, 
offering a better environment for 
young athletes to play and grow.
A Place for Young Families: An 
inclusive space featuring a universally 
accessible playground and picnic area, 
fostering outdoor fun and community 
connection.
Supports Senior Health: ADA parking, 
accessible restrooms, and smooth 
walking paths for low-impact exercise.
Maximum Financial Impact: Creates a 
multigenerational, multi-use space 
with one investment, benefiting all 
ages, abilities, and a variety of 
activities.
Community: Space for community 
activities, pickleball, basketball and 
off-street walking.
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Summer
2019:  Town accepted the current Open Space and Recreation Plan.
May 2021: Town Meeting of $50,000 for the Marshall Park Master Plan.
January - April 2022: Landscape architect firm, through public meetings, surveys, and 
community feedback, develops a Master Plan.
November 2022: Town Meeting approves $184,000 for Master Plan Schematic Design.
January 2023: Select Board allocates $1,000,000 ARPA funds for the project.
June 2023: Schematic Design package delivered.
Spring /Summer 2024: Owner's Project Manager (OPM) and Design Firm Hired.
Fall 2024: Updated cost estimate based on schematic design revealed that Master Plan 
construction costs were prohibitive due to rising construction prices.
December 2024 - March 2025: New implementation strategy and funding scope 
developed to align with financial feasibility, while meeting most of the Master Plan’s goals.
May 2025: Town Meeting & Town Election votes to approve funding for the selected scope 
of the Master Plan.
Project Timeline
2019
2019:  Town accepted the current Open Space and Recreation Plan.
May 2021: Town Meeting of $50,000 for the Marshall Park Master Plan.
January - April 2022: Landscape architect firm, through public meetings, surveys, and 
community feedback, develops a Master Plan.
November 2022: Town Meeting approves $184,000 for Master Plan Schematic Design.
January 2023: Select Board allocates $1,000,000 ARPA funds for the project.
June 2023: Schematic Design package delivered.
Spring /Summer 2024: Owner's Project Manager (OPM) and Design Firm Hired.
Fall 2024: Updated cost estimate based on schematic design revealed that Master Plan 
construction costs were prohibitive due to rising construction prices.
December 2024 - March 2025: New implementation strategy and funding scope 
developed to align with financial feasibility, while meeting most of the Master Plan’s goals.
May 2025: Town Meeting & Town Election votes to approve funding for the selected scope 
of the Master Plan.
202120252026 2024 20222023
OSRP 
approved by 
townMaster plan 
funded
Master plan 
developed
25% Design 
funded in 
town meeting
ARPA funding 
received
25% Design 
completed
OPM hired
LA hired
60% Design 
and updated 
estimate
Town 
meetingMay
December - March
Spring
June
January
December
January - April
May
===PAGE 9===
Marshall Park Master Plan 
===PAGE 10===
Proposed Scope
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Costs for Construction DescriptionCost
SoftCosts
Professional Services
Design Fees ‐ RDLA322,187
Owner's Project Manager ‐ Skanska351,320
Total‐ProfessionalServices673,507
Other Soft Costs: Permitting, 
Insurance, Utilities, Testing, 
Clerical134,024
Subtotal‐SoftCosts807,531
Contingency on Soft Costs 5%40,377
SoftCostsTotal847,908
DescriptionCost
HardCosts
DirectTradeCosts10,506,022
GCCosts
GeneralConditions 1.5%157,590
InsuranceandBonds 1%106,636
Escalation 3.6%387,729
GCCostsTotal651,955
DesignContingency 10%1,115,798
Construction Cost12,273,775
Contingency on Hard Costs: 5%613,689
HardCostsTotal12,887,464
PROJECTTOTAL13,735,372
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• $13,735,372
•Based on feedback from the Selectboard in Nov 2024 and in 
consultation with the current and previous Town Managers, 
the Parks Commission is proposinga debt exclusion 
borrowing to cover the construction cost of the proposed 
scope.
•We would need a 2/3 votes at town meeting AND
•A majority "Yes" vote on the town election ballot question
Funding 
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•Assuming an 18 Year Amortization of the Debt.
•Roughly $0.46 per thousand of a home assessed value.
•Example: For the Average Single-Family Home in 
Lunenburg with an estimatedassessed value of 
$504,937,  the annual costwould be $231.
•With the proposed scope, the tax impact would begin 
once principal payments start and remain steady each 
year until the loan is repaid. Early years may be lower 
while the project is still under construction.
Estimated Tax Impact
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Selected for $1m grant in 2024 but 
couldn't meet the requirements in 
time and notified the state. 
Encouraged to reapply when the next 
round opens in early 2026.
Selected for a $500K grant in 2024, 
but couldn’t meet the requirements 
in time and notified the state. 
Encouraged to reapply when the 
next round opens in late 2025.
ParklandAcquisitions& 
RenovationsforCommunities
(PARC)Grant
LandandWater
Conservation Fund 
GrantProgram(LWCF)
MunicipalAmericanswith
DisabilitiesActImprovement
Upto$250K
Playground, 
walkingpath,parking lot
Upto$500Kforcommunities 
thatarelargerthan35,000
residentsorprojectswithmore
than100parkingspaces.Cannot
beappliedtosameproject 
features as the LWCFGrant.
Up to$1 million forprojects 
thathavesignificantimpacton
climateresiliency
GRANTS AVAILABLE
Applied for in 2024 but did 
notreceive. Next grant cycle 
shouldopen late 2025.
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Applied for in 2024 but did 
notreceive. Next grant cycle 
shouldopen late 2025.
T-Mobile
Hometown Grants
AARP
CommunityChallenge
Mass Trails GrantMass MVP Grant
Open to MVP Communities$25K
We would apply for
the Pickleball courts.
Upto $50k for shovel ready 
projects that foster local 
connections.
Up to 100k
Grant opens again in early 
2026.
POSSIBLE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Applications open 
quarterly.
Grant opens again in 
early 2026

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Maintenance CostsNew Maintenance ExpenseYearly Cost
Mowing / String Trimming - year round17,000
Infield Mix Supply2,500
Mulching2,000
Plow Damage Repair2,500
Pavement / Walkway Maint2,000
Irrigation Maint / Repairs800
Net Maint & Yearly Setup500
Trash Collection & Labor3,500
FFE's Replacements2,500
New Maintenance Expense cont'dYearly Cost
Fence Maintenance1,000
Stormwater Maint2,000
Bathroom Cleaning5,200
Misc Building Maint5,000
Play Structures & Surface Maint2,500
Electric600
Internet3,000
Sewer700
Total53,300
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ScheduleActivityStartFinish
Prep Final Design Package5/15/2509/30/25
Permitting7/15/2509/15/25
Bid Process
Prep bid documents10/1/2510/10/25
Bid Period (assumes Ch. 30)10/13/2511/07/25
Bid Review and award11/10/2512/05/25
Construction
Notice To Proceed12/8/25
Submittals and purchasing12/8/2503/06/26
Begin sitework3/9/26
Site construction3/9/265/31/27
Post-construction
Contract closeout6/1/2707/30/27
Planting warranty6/1/2705/31/28
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Town Elections
Majority "Yes" Vote
Saturday, May 17th-  7am - 5pm
TCP Gymnasium - 1025 Mass Ave
Next Step
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Thank You !!
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Marshall Park Master Plan 
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Proposed Scope
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If a reduced funding scope is preferred, the 
only option is to complete Phase 1/2B
This provides parking off of Mass Ave, the 
accessible playground, the basketball court 
and pickleball courts, and the 
restroom/concession stand pavilion
It does not touch the ball fields , nor does it 
add parking off of Chestnut Street
Total Cost:  $6,460,691 
Tax Impact:  $0.22/thousand  (Avg $111/yr)
Possible Reduced Funding Scope 
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As part of design development, the 
proposed funding scope has been divided 
into three Implementation Areas, each 
with distinct uses and construction 
requirements.
Implementation Area 1 (Light Blue)
Includes new recreational features: pickleball 
and basketball courts, a universal playground, 
walking paths, and a picnic area. Also includes 
infrastructure improvements: parking, 
stormwater management, and accessibility 
upgrades. 
Scope Details
===PAGE 27===
Implementation Area 2A (Light Green)
Revitalizes baseball and softball facilities, 
including new fields, dugouts, announcer’s 
booth, spectator seating, accessibility 
upgrades to meet necessary regulations, 
along with emergency access for player 
safety.
A new parking lot on Chestnut Street will 
provide easy wheelchair access to the ball 
fields and walking paths along the north side 
of the park. It will also address known public 
safety concerns from Chestnut Street 
residents and Public Safety.
Scope Details
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Current Park Maintenance
Current Maintenance ExpenseYearly Cost
Mowing / String Trimming8,500.00
Weeding / Spray Treatment1,425.00
Turf & Plant Maintenance2,800.00
Spring Cleanup400.00
Fall Cleanup1,300.00
Pruning100.00
De-Thatching500.00
Aeration500.00
Infield Maintenance5,500.00
Water2,400.00
Total23,425.00
Other Maintenance Costs
Overseeding: As Needed - Contracted Services
Winterize Fields: Tarps & Labor Parks' budget
Snow Shoveling (new): +- 500 per storm
Snow Plowing Parking (new): Facilities Plow Route
Gas / Propane (new): Unknown Cost
*Please note that these totals are budget estimates 
and funds are not necessarily dedicated to Marshall 
Park or the line item shown, actual spending varies 
each year based off of current conditions & needs.
===PAGE 29===
Marshall Park Master Plan •Improved parking on Chestnut Street
•Improved Mass Ave parking lot Mass Ave 
designated pedestrian access entrance
•Basketball court and three pickleball courts
•Pavilion area for concessions and shelter
•New Restrooms Facilities
•Accessible Playground 
•New 90' diamond & New Softball Field
•Walking paths 
•Dog Park
•Connection of main park area to Marshall Pond via 
4' wide path to an overlook on the South-West side 
of the pond
•Marshall Pond parking area, picnic area and pond 
overlook