2002-11-16LYNCH PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Saturday November 16, 2002
Meeting Minutes
Committee Members Present: Chairman, Rich Benevento, Liz Caputo, Bob Richardson, Virginia Currier,
Virginia McGlynn, Gerry Cathcart, Bob Griffin, Tom Scully, Tom Clark, Mike Collins, Artie Sullivan,
Acting Recreation Director, and Joan Fairbank.
Special Guests: Drayton Fair of Tappe Associates and Martin Roura of Geller Associates.
Also present Nancy Brewka Clark, Anne and Michael Gaudette and Mary DiVincenzo.
Members missing: Deborah Hurlburt, Ellen Flannery, and Frank Killilea
Initial comment concerned the need for coordination through one source for the number of activities going
on at Lynch Park, status of the Dog Advisory Committee and the fee schedule. These all come through the
Recreation Department and the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Drayton Fair solicited the information necessary for their firm to proceed.
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What is the focus of the group?
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What Boards and groups are looking at the different elements of the park
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Development of a site analysis including vehicle and pedestrian circulation
Unclear pedestrian access
Band shell and bathrooms split the park into three zones
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Characteristics of the land are varied
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Review of all existing plantings and access to any plans from the past
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Noise issues
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What are the benefits of the different areas of use?
Tappe’s Suggestions
Tappe fells that the removal of the existing parking lot will remover exiting physical barriers and add a
more extensive tranquility and green space to the park.
A pedestrian walking path may feature historical elements and information to the visitors like the ceramic
tiles used in Providence. Possible donation item.
The extent to which the Garden is restored will depend on maintenance issues, and budget. Should and
how many of the fountains be restored as well as replacement of the arbors and pergolas? Maintenance
Plan must be developed.
Carriage House
Plan for use and decision of public and private space.
Recreation Department office space is insufficient and inaccessible.
Future use of the “Laundry House.” It is an important feature of the park.
Band Shell Issues
Possible relocation into the sledding hill would eliminate noise to the neighborhood. The new
meadow would serve as seating for the amphitheater
New shell would have toilets that would be opened year round.
Old shell could serves as a visitors center, tea room or use the structure in an alternative method.
Parking Plan
Need to start discussing limiting parking access before it becomes an issue.
Relationship to the number of spaces necessary needs to be decided.
Improve pedestrian access to the park by improving sidewalks to park.
Need to split into areas that need focus
What do we want in the bandstand?
What do we want for a schedule?
Conceptual Plan- the sooner we have one, the sooner we can start fund raising.
Group suggested the goal be 6 months for plan development.
Committee Comments
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Tom Scully’s: The roof of the Carriage House (repairs or replacement, a high visual change and the
reestablishment of the green space from the existing parking lot should be the main focus.
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Bob Griffin: The plan should be Tappe’s. He has concerns about having the old building restored/
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Dock, wharf or porch on back of carrige house could add interest and expansion to building use.
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Creation of historical and botanical educational experience.
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Establishment of a a clear pedestrian path network.
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Provide screening and framing of views
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Permanent display space and shared space for Art Guild needs consideration.
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Unified lighting plan that is asthetic.
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Security lighting and plan.
It was voted that all future meetings will be the third Thursday of the month. Please mark your calendars.
th
Next meeting is Thursday December 18 7PM at the Library.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan Fairbank