The newly formed Mattapoisett Holy Ghost Reuse Committee got down to business on April 18, as it met only for the second time since charged with helping the town as it plans future uses for the former Holy Ghost Grounds off Park Street.
It’s been several years since the town, with the assistance of former Town Administrator Mike Gagne, purchased the 5-acre site from the religious organization which used the area for summer gatherings. A master plan for use of the site, however, was not formulated.
More recently, during meetings held by the Master Plan Committee which drafted the updated 2023 plan, frequent mention was made as to how the grounds might be used. Renewed interest also came from bike-path planning, which saw the location of the grounds perfect for cyclists wanting to take a break. It is located in the middle of Phase 2a and is receiving updated restroom facilities in anticipation of the path coming through.
The committee is now chaired by Mike Rosa (who also sits on the Capital Planning Committee), Denise Conton (representing the COA), Nathan Ketchel (who also sits on the Planning Board), Recreation Department Director Greta Fox and Freemin Bauer, who for many years has been advocating for a dog park in the community.
During the second meeting, the committee selected Rosa as chairman, Conton as clerk and Ketchel as vice chairman. The discussion then turned to developing a survey intended to garner public input and ideas regarding future use for the park. The committee agrees the park needs a new name rather than carrying over its former title. Fox suggested a contest might be a fun way to rename the future recreational area, while also engaging the public to capture their interest in participating in the process.
Regarding the survey, Fox presented ideas on text and layout of a public survey. She noted that there should be open-ended as well as specific “yes-no” questions. The survey will include gathering data on whether or not the public is interested in such uses as a dog park, pickleball courts, basketball courts, walking loop, playground and/or picnic area. Fox said that funding will have to be considered and that construction is likely to be completed in a phased manner. Rosa stated it will be “a long time” before construction would begin.
There is a structure on the grounds that at one time was used for parties such as showers and similar gatherings. In the past it had been suggested that the structure be rented. With this in mind and with the plan of having the bike path travel along the railroad easement in the area, the last spring Town Meeting voted to spend $150,000 for bathrooms.
But Fox believes having a full kitchen was not a good plan.
“Operating a commercial kitchen…would be a liability,” she said, noting that Health Department permits would be needed and that people using a kitchen would not be able to clean it sufficiently for the next group to use it. Katie Desrosiers, assistant to the Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, offered that an area with expansive counter space and a sink might be ample for parties that are catered and that most events of this sort are generally catered, no food being prepared on site.
Discussions centered around the importance of including as much public input as possible. There was also a desire to express what could be. Bauer handed out packets for the members to review, which contained types of playground equipment and a conceptual dog-park design, watering stations for dogs, guidelines for establishing and maintenance of off-leash dog parks.
Fox also feels strongly that planning before spending money should happen. She wondered aloud how the bathrooms were constructed without a plan for the building, which in her estimation had outlived its usefulness. She said, “Let’s think about this and spend our money wisely.”
Next up, the committee plans a field trip to the site on Thursday, May 18, at 5:30 pm as part of its next public meeting.
Mattapoisett Holy Ghost Reuse Committee
By Marilou Newell