Mount Hood Memorial Park – Benign Neglect?

July 31, 2009

It was recently learned from a preliminary report of a feasibility study being conducted by Beals & Thomas, that the Park Commission will need to pay a premium price for any construction of potential athletic fields at Mount Hood. This information was disclosed at Monday evening’s meeting of the Park Commission. Robert Weidknecht, from Beals & Thomas, described how the nature of the rocky terrain, access difficulty, wetland issues and certified vernal water pools, all contribute to add millions of dollars of additional costs to any construction work conducted at Mount Hood.

At the meeting, Mr. Weidknecht highlighted a number of different design scenarios that ranged from a field and track area (along with an attached field events area) to several practice golf driving ranges. Additional designs are being studied and will be presented at a special meeting of the Park Commission on Monday, August 3^rd. What was missing from his presentation was a plan for passive recreation development. The Park Commission has previously made commitments to city groups that this important aspect of parkland use has been included in the scope of the feasibility study. The Association is disappointed that no plans have been developed to address passive recreation development at Mount Hood Park.

Although some groups in Melrose have voiced the need for additional athletic fields, we question the value of spending millions of dollars as a premium price before you even begin paying for construction costs. Does this really represent the most cost-effective and efficient use of limited dollars to address the problem? We understand that the Mount Hood Park and Golf Course is self-sustaining, having its own dedicated Enterprise Fund whose monies come from golfing and refreshments/goods sold at the clubhouse. For many years during the time this Fund was established, Mount Hood Park has suffered from “benign neglect”?

Because of the success of the golf course due to improved course management and marketing by the management group at Mount Hood, Golf Management Company, Inc., the revenue stream into the Enterprise Fund has been steady and consistent over the past number of years. The Association believes that an effort should be made to make the necessary

improvements to neglected areas at Mount Hood Park even while the Park Commission and the city explores additional athletic fields. Even if it is decided that athletic fields should be built at Mount Hood, this is a long term project involving several years. Meanwhile, areas of the park are rapidly deteriorating and remain in disrepair, producing blight on what everyone acknowledges as being Melrose’s green jewel.

Some of the areas needing immediate attention include among others, (1) dredge First Pond to improve the viability of the pond and aquatic life, and to minimize local neighborhood flooding, (2) explore additional sources of water for irrigation of the golf course, (3) repair and improve security of Slayton Tower, one of the more beautiful locations in the park to view Boston and southern New Hampshire skylines, (4) restore, improve, and expand walking and biking trails, and (5) install vandal-proof benches and picnic tables throughout the park for the enjoyment of all.

We think now is the time for the Park Commission to consider needed park improvements described above while they continue to pursue other projects at Mount Hood Park. To do less is continuing the policy of “benign neglect”.

We recommend that the public attend the August 3^rd meeting to voice their concerns or opinions on these matters since they will impact park use today, tomorrow, and for future generations.

For more information on the Mt. Hood Park Association contact Ralph Sarni, Membership Chairman, 75 Altamont Ave, Melrose, MA, Tele: (781) 665-0459.

Written by:

Myron F. Dittmer, Jr.
President
Mt. Hood Park Association

Melrose Free Press (3/5/09)