Overview:
Athol has extended the public comment period for the proposed redesign of Fish Park and released an online survey to gather feedback on improvements to the historic five-acre space. The survey will remain open through Jan. 20, and the committee plans to review all responses at its Jan. 27 meeting. Initial responses raised maintenance concerns, including broken cement posts, trash, dog waste, graffiti, and wear on benches and other structures.
ATHOL – The town is extending the public comment period for the proposed redesign of Fish Park and has released an online survey as officials continue gathering feedback on improvements to the historic five-acre space.
The decision follows the Oct. 29 meeting, when the Open Space and Recreation Review Committee presented potential design concepts for Fish Park and heard public feedback. During that meeting, many residents said they did not want significant changes to the park and instead urged a focus on maintaining what is already there.
Some residents expressed that they value Fish Park as an open space for children to play, families to gather, and for sledding in the winter, and did not want new structures added. Several raised concerns about the proposed ADA-compliant playground, which would replace the current swingset area, saying the design felt too large for the space.
Meeting attendees were asked to complete and submit a written questionnaire for the committee’s review.
Director of Planning and Community Development Eric Smith said the committee received 17 responses by its Nov. 25 meeting. Based on that feedback, they decided to extend the opportunity for public input and release a digital version of the survey on the town web site.
The survey will remain open through Jan. 20, and the committee plans to review all responses at its Jan. 27 meeting. Smith said the town is “still waiting for the state to issue their decision on the ADA-compliant playground at Fish Park.” A Dec. 23 meeting may include updates on the grant status, though Smith noted that it is not certain there will be a quorum.
In the initial survey responses, residents raised a number of maintenance concerns, including broken cement posts, trash, dog waste, graffiti, and wear on benches and other structures. The Sally Fish monument area and bandstand were frequently cited as areas in need of repair, and some respondents also pointed to limited parking as an ongoing issue.
Suggestions for improvements focused largely on repairing and updating existing features. Residents suggested restoring the bandstand and monument, adding new benches, improving the baseball field, planting shade trees and creating room for winter activities like ice skating.
Some respondents supported new additions such as a skate park or a music venue, while others said they would prefer fewer changes overall in order to preserve the park’s current layout.
Online survey responses made by Jan. 20 will be discussed at the committee’s Jan. 27 meeting. The survey is available at: