NORTHFIELD — Plans to revitalize Birch Grove Park moved ahead June 14 when the city approved a contract to buy new playground equipment.
Upgrades to the city’s open-space gem were discussed throughout the budget process, with City Council appropriating American Recovery Plan Act/Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery funding to undertake several projects at the facility off Burton Avenue.
Council awarded a contract to purchase the equipment to General Recreation Inc. in the amount of $128,733.
Councilman Greg Dewees, who oversees buildings and grounds, said he would meet with Qwin Vitale of the Public Works Department to determine a timeline for demolition and removal of the existing equipment after summer.
Dewees said they would do it that way so as not to disrupt events at the park. The project will include some minor grading.
“We’re looking forward to a good year coming up,” he said. “Once we get the playground equipment installed, it will trigger other events.”
The new playground is part of a larger plan for the park, which includes several lakes, miles of walking and biking trails, a gazebo that hosts a summer concert series and the Northfield Cardinals baseball and football facilities.
Camping was once popular at the park but that was discontinued in 2019. The revenue generated was not enough to pay for maintenance and providing proper bathroom facilities was often a problem.
Last year, the city created a system of bicycle trails. There are about 8,200 feet of marked bike trails, a little more than 1.5 miles, while there are about 10 miles of walking trails.
Future projects funded this year include new bandstand seating ($13,500) and a memorial pavilion and picnic area ($48,000).
Long-term goals include construction of basketball and pickleball courts. Dewees said they hope to build two basketball courts and two or three pickleball courts along Campers Road in a wooded area opposite the museum. He said there would be no lights but there would be parking and fencing, also as well as a large tree buffer between the courts and nearby homes on Henry Drive and Northwood Court.
There also are plans to create asphalt paths to provide access to the mobility-challenged. Dewees said the city would seek grants to help pay for the accessibility improvements.
The picnic area would also get some love, with two or three pavilions being built to provide shelter.
Dewees said the upgrades would enhance the playground area and bring more families back to the park.
“City Council is committed to making some improvements to the park to bring our residents back out,” he said. “Birch Grove Park is one of our greatest amenities.”
The city resumed its Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs tournament this year and the lakes are stocked twice a year for anglers.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff