A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $7,250,000 for the reconstruction of Glacken Field and playground with an update on lighting. This is also in response to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-17

City of Cambridge Department of Public Works Owen O'Riordan, Commissioner 147 Hampshire Street Cambridge, MA 02139 theworks@cambridgema.gov Voice: [phone removed] TDD: [phone removed] February 24, 2020 To: Louis DePasquale City Manager From: Katherine F. Watkins City Engineer RE: Appropriation of $7,250,000 to Support the Reconstruction of Glacken Field and Playground and Update on Lighting (Awaiting Report 20-17) I am requesting an appropriation of $7,250,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures Account to support the reconstruction of Glacken Field and Playground. This request also responds to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-17. COMMUNITY PROCESS: The designs for the Little League Fields, Playground and Bike / Ped Connection to Fresh Pond Parkway have been developed through a comprehensive community process. Staff have hosted 3 community meetings, 2 meetings with users of the playground, 2 meetings with the Fresh Pond Advisory Board, 2 meetings with the Water Board and 1 meeting with the combined Bicycle, Pedestrian and Transit Committees. The design team has also worked collaboratively with various city departments including the Disabilities Commission, the Open Space Committee, Human Services, Community Development Department and the Fresh Pond Golf Course. PROJECT DESIGN: The plan for this 3.5 acre site includes: • 2 Little League Fields to home West Cambridge Little League o Amended soil, irrigation, and drainage. o Fencing and ball netting around each field and one fenced batting cage / bullpen at each field. o Team storage, covered team benches and spectator seating. o Electrical connections at each batting cage. o In response to the council order, athletic lighting is being proposed on one field.

• ¼ mile multi-use path around the playing fields, 2 adult exercise stations, and areas for informal gathering, play and seating. • Playground designed to highlight the natural environment at Fresh Pond and provide a unique and engaging play experience. o Variety of play equipment that complements the natural setting and connects to the history of Fresh Pond. o Swings, and separate play structures for 2-5 year olds and 5-12 year olds. o Water play areas to provide both a spray water play, as well as a runnel system that provides interactive water play without getting fully wet. o Shade structure. o Sand play area. • Sidewalk / Path connection for cyclists and pedestrians travelling between Fresh Pond Parkway and Glacken. • Natural plantings and buffer between Glacken and the slope of Fresh Pond. . FIELD LIGHTING: In response to Awaiting Report 20-17, the project is proposing to include lighting at one of the playing fields. • MuscoSports Lighting System to light the field farthest from the neighborhood. • The lighting system will be operated to automatically shut-off at 9:00 pm. • Allows Little League to extend their playing time to 8:30 pm on game nights during the season. • Lights will be installed on approximately 70’ tall poles, LED with full cutoff, and dark sky compliant. • City staff will update the Fresh Pond Advisory Board, the Water Board and the community about the proposed addition of lights to the project.

SLOPE RESTORATION: In coordination with the Glacken Field and Playground project, the Glacken Slope area will be restored consistent with the Fresh Pond Reservation Master Plan; addressing slope erosion, improving degraded and compacted soils, removing invasive species, and restoring a diverse, native plant community within Glacken Slope. This will continue the successful slope restoration in the area and is the 6th phase of restoration. The restoration includes the removal of 54 invasive black locust trees and a planting of a multi-layered woodland that mimics the Oak-Hickory Forest community native to eastern Massachusetts under similar soil, aspect, and hydrological conditions. The work will increase species diversity and abundance, improve habitat value, better protect the water supply, and will create a revitalized, resilient tree canopy in 10 – 15 years. Approximately 75 canopy trees and 150 understory trees and shrubs will be planted. The black locust being removed will be used in playground projects in the City including Glacken Playground and the Universal Playground at Danehy Park. PROJECT BUDGET: The project budget covers the design and construction of: Playground (perimeter path around fields, plantings, $3,375,000 play equipment) Athletic Fields (site preparation, natural grass field, drainage, $1,750,000 athletic equipment, athletic fencing) Huron Avenue Bike / Ped Connection (Fresh Pond Pkwy to Glacken) $1,200,000 Athletic Lights for 1 Field $675,000 Bleacher Removal $250,000 Total Project Costs: $7,250,000 The slope restoration work is estimated to cost $350,000 and is being funded through existing Water Department funding allocated for Fresh Pond Reservation and Reservoir Facility Improvement projects.

PROJECT SCHEDULE: The project is being bid in March, with an anticipated Notice to Proceed at the end of April. The contract will require that the fields be playable by March 1, 2021 to support the spring 2021 Little League season. Construction of the remaining improvements are estimated to be completed by the end of 2021.