F       Recreational Facility Accessibility Assessment

Program Accessibility

The Westborough Recreation Department runs many programs throughout the year.  The vast majority of our programs, including summer, are held at our local schools.  The department utilizes classrooms, cafeterias, auditoriums, gyms and restrooms within the schools – all of these areas are accessible.  They also use outdoor ballfields.  The department tries to use accessible areas only, making every effort to see that any and all individuals are able to participate in our outdoor activities.  Whenever a program is run not using school facilities, the department flexibility and make sure that the facility is accessible to all those in the group. 

In the past, the recreation department has provided interpreters, signers and teachers for disabled children whenever necessary.  School Department teachers working with disabled children in “summer school” programs actually use various summer program to supplement their needs.

As well, the recreation department helps to run Westborough Unified Sports, an affiliate of the Special Olympics.  This program provides activities such as soccer, basketball, swimming and track to special athletes.  The group also runs social events and parties for the children, their families and all the organization’s volunteers.

The town will continue to work hard now and in the future to identify any potential problem areas, address any community concerns and make any necessary accessibility improvements to our facilities/programs.

Facility Accessibility

Unless otherwise state all facilities are accessible.

Armstrong Tennis Courts       

Location:                      West Street

Facility Use:                Tennis

Facility Amenities:      Tennis Courts

   Parking (10 spaces)

Programming:  Typical tennis usage.  As well, summer tennis lessons are offered by the Recreation Department.  They are open and available to individuals with disabilities.  Accommodation, if needed, would be made upon request.

Parking:  The disembarking area for the handicapped space is located ten feet from the accessible gate entrance (greater than three feet).  The surface is level, firm packed stone dust with an oil base.  There are no ground markings.

 

Bowman Conservation Area 

Location:                      Bowman Street – Sandra Pond

Facility Use:                Nature Program - Hiking

Facility Amenities       Trails  - Not Accessible

                                      Shelter/Picnic Tables  - Not Accessible  

                                      Parking 

Programming:  The Recreation Department runs a nature program at the conservation area.  Most projects are done at the shelter.  Any reasonable accommodation will be and has been made to see that anyone wishing to participate can do so.  In the past, we have hired interpreters and extra help to work ‘one-on-one’ with anyone who needs assistance in order to participate.

Parking:  The parking lot is hard packed gravel with an oil base.  Handicapped spaces are designated by a sign right next to the accessible entrance (greater than three feet).  There are no ground markings.

Transition Plan: Certainly not all trails are accessible, even to young able bodied children.  Some existing paths are currently level and will be accessible by paving them.  It is our hope that we will pave these paths in FY 2006.  The Recreation Director and DPW Parks Supervisor will be responsible for overseeing this work.                                            

 

Forbes Gym                        

Location:                      West Main Street­­­­

Facility Use:                Basketball                   

Facility Amenities:      Basketball Courts 

                                      Restrooms

  Bubblers

  Parking

  Elevator

Programming:  This court is used quite extensively year round, for basketball only.  The Recreation Department uses this court seven days a week during the winter for its basketball program.  The entire building was renovated in 1993 and brought to code.  All gym amenities meet ADA specifications.

 

Haskell Fields                          

Location:                      Haskell Street­­­­

Facility Use:                Softball, Baseball, Basketball, Tennis, Soccer, Playground

Facility Amenities:      Basketball Courts

  Tennis Courts          

  Baseball/Softball Fields                

  Soccer Fields

  Playground Equipment (2001) - Not Accessible

  Parking                                            

  Bubblers   - Not Accessible

Many town organizations run programs here (little league, youth soccer, youth and adult softball). 

Courts and ballfields are handicap accessible.  Both drinking fountains are designed for those with handicaps and are accessible via hard packed not paved paths.  Little League and youth soccer schedules games and practice here.  It is our understanding they provide access for individuals with disabilities.  Playgrounds are not accessible but a paved path will be added (see transition plan).  All equipment is new, installed in 2001.  All play structures are surrounded by accessible material.

Parking:  Accessible spaces have been designated in a couple of locations in an effort to provide the best access to all amenities.  Disembarking areas are located right next to accessible gates (greater than three feet).  Lot is paved and correctly marked.

Transition Plan:  A paved path (greater than three feet) will be installed to reach the playground as well as a path to a drinking fountain will be put in place.  We hope to accomplish this by FY 2006.  The Recreation Director and DPW Parks Supervisor will be responsible for overseeing this work.  All other facilities are accessible.

 

Hennessy Fields           

Location:                      Corner of Upton & Hopkinton Rd.­­

Facility Use:                Soccer                                                 

Facility Amenities:      Soccer Fields  - Not Accessible

  Parking     - Not Accessible                                  

These fields are currently used by WYSA (Westboro Youth Soccer Association) only.  They will make any necessary accommodations to see that all users are able to play here or at another facility if necessary.

These fields were built in a sensitive zone 2 aquifer in close proximity to two town well sites.  At the request of the Town’s Conservation Commission, the Recreation Department agreed not to pave the parking lot or create paved pathways to the fields.

Parking:  The parking lot is a hard packed level gravel area with no markings on the ground.  Surface slope of the lot does meet regulations.  As well, openings in the surrounding fence are greater than three feet for access.

Transition Plan:  There are many accessible soccer fields available throughout town.  Accommodations will be made to move or reschedule any necessary practices or games to an alternative location. 

 

Hyder Park                       

Location:                      Hyder Street           

Facility Use:                Local Neighborhood Play Area           

Facility Amenities:    Playground Equipment  - Not Accessible                            

Parking     - Not Accessible                            

There are no programs run here.  This a local neighborhood park only.  The equipment provided (swings and slide) are surrounded by accessible material.  From the parking area there is presently no accessible route. 

Parking:  Parking is not provided other than on street parking.

Transition Plan:  There are numerous accessible playgrounds in the Town.  There are currently no plans to make this area accessible. 

 

Lake Chauncy Beach                  

Location of Facility:    Lyman Street­­­­

Facility Use:                Swimming, Swim Lessons, Picnicing, Playground        

Facility Amenities:      Beach         

   Playground Equipment

  Shelter  - Not Accessible                            

  Picnic Tables

  Restroom                               

  Parking  ninety (90 spaces)  private handicapped lot, (6) spaces.      

This is the only outdoor swimming facility owned by the town.  The Recreation Department runs our summer swim program at this beach.  All programs are open to individuals with disabilities.  The facility has its own private handicapped parking lot located on the beach.  It is paved and lined appropriately.  An accessible path (greater than three feet) leads to the waters edge, the playground and the handicapped port-o-john.  The port-o-john has a sink and meets all ADA requirements.  Trash cans and picnic tables (handicapped) are located next to the paved path.

Transition Plan:  The shelter is relatively new.  An extension from the current paved path will be added.  It will lead to the shelter making it accessible.  We hope to accomplish this by FY 2005.  The Recreation Director and DPW Parks Supervisor will be responsible for overseeing this work.

 

Minuteman Park

Location:                      Upton Road­

Facility Use:                Town Park – no organized activities

Facility Amenities:      Parking     - Not Accessible                            

There are no programs run here.  This property is just a grassy area with some benches and a place to fish Sandra Pond. 

Parking:  Parking is not provided other than side of the road parking.

Transition Plan:  There are currently no plans to make this area accessible. 


Rogers Field                           

Location:                      Rogers Road­

Facility Use:                Baseball/Softball Fields, Soccer, Field Hockey, Picnic Shelter, Basketball and Playground

Facility Amenities:      Baseball/Softball Fields      - Not Accessible                            

                                      Field Hockey/Soccer Fields - Not Accessible                            

                                      Basketball Court

  Playground Equipment

  Picnic Shelter/Tables     - Not Accessible                            

                                      Parking - Not Accessible                            

The Little League and Youth Soccer Associations run programs here as well as the Recreation Department which runs a field hockey program in the fall.  The fields are currently not accessible.  Accommodations have been made upon request by user groups in the past and will be made in the future whenever necessary to provide alternative sites for any participant.  A hearing and speech impaired field hockey player was provided an interpreter last fall (2002) and thoroughly enjoyed the program.

Parking:  The parking lot is, as yet, unpaved.  It is on our Capital Expenditures plan.  There are no markings on the ground.  The playground (1999) and basketball court (2000) are handicapped accessible and within fifty feet of the parking lot. 

Transition Plan:  There are numerous accessible soccer, field hockey and baseball/softball fields located throughout the Town.  Accommodations will be made to reschedule any necessary practice or game to an alternative location.   As well, we have existing shelter/picnic areas accessible in other locations.  However, we would still like to make this area accessible.  A 1:12 slope paved rampway will be installed to the shelter and the fields by FY 2008.  The Recreation Director and DPW Park Supervisor will be responsible for overseeing this work.  It is our hope that the parking lot will be paved via town meeting vote this year (2003/04).

 

Upton Road Fields        

Location:                      Upton Road­

Facility Use:                Baseball/Softball Fields, Soccer  

Facility Amenities:      Baseball/Softball Fields

  Soccer Fields                

  Parking  

These fields are used by Little League, Soccer and Unified Sports.  The Recreation Department runs some summer clinics on them as well (vary each year).  The fields are adjacent to a paved parking lot.  The lot is marked appropriately with two handicapped spots (40 spaces available).  Currently our Unified Sports (Special Olympics) program is held here.