Ridge/Jenkinsville Athletic Field Development Project Overview

Park History and Background

Ridge/Jenkinsville Park is located off Jenkinsville Road in Queensbury. This 80 acre parcel was purchased by the town in the early 1980’s and dedicated in 1988. Site amenities include a four-field softball complex, a playground area, restroom facilities, a large grass field area for athletics, 1 basketball court, 2 tennis courts, a small picnic shelter and cookout grills. The complex serves as home to over 60 adult softball teams, Recreation Department youth sports programs and local youth sports clubs.

In February 2004 a facility master plan was completed that called for the addition of amenities in three separate phases. Phase 1 was completed in October of 2005 and included a basketball court, two tennis courts, parking lot improvements and landscaping. Phase 2 includes the creation of multi-use athletic fields, a field house and expanded parking. Phase 3 provides for open field space to accommodate a variety of uses and parking.

Project Description

The Town of Queensbury Recreation Commission and the Department of Parks & Recreation is advancing Phase 2 of the park improvements that were originally envisioned in the Ridge/Jenkinsville Park Master Plan of February 2004. The scope of this phase includes adopting a site plan for the entire multi-use field area (south of the existing softball fields) and constructing the following improvements in 2007:

Three multi-use (soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, etc) irrigated athletic fields
A field house containing bathrooms, irrigation equipment/controls and storage space for maintenance equipment and ancillary field gear (goal netting, flags, signage, etc)
A paved access road and paved parking
Walkways, fencing and landscaping

Ridge/Jenkinsvill Park Master Plan map

Why Fields Are Needed

School Facilities Are Not Available – Increasingly, Queensbury Union Free School District fields and facilities are not available to the Recreation Department and other local user groups due to the school’s own expanding needs. Many youth sports organizations have contacted the Recreation Department about using Ridge/Jenkinsville fields. However, due to ongoing programs and the limited amount of satisfactory space, additional fields are not available.
Poor Field Conditions – The quality of the existing grass fields at Ridge/Jenkinsville Park is significantly below that of typical athletic fields utilized for youth sports programs. The playing surface, over a period of time, has been transformed from a corn field into a makeshift grass field. Of the approximately 18 acres of field space available, only 6 acres are currently being used due to unsuitable changes in elevation – changes too great to accommodate even recreational athletic uses.
Meeting Current and Future Community Needs – At a recent round-table discussion with Recreation Commission members and in personal communications over the last couple of years, local youth sports organizers have spoken about the need for additional athletic fields and recommended that the Town of Queensbury build the athletic fields called for in the Ridge/Jenkinsville Park Master Plan. Groups expressing an interest in utilizing the proposed athletic fields include: Adirondack Soccer Club, Girls Adirondack Youth Soccer League, Queensbury Lacrosse Club (boys), Queensbury Girls Youth Lacrosse, Shenentaha Soccer Club and the Capital District Over 30 Soccer League.
Quality of Life and Recreational Opportunities – As the Town of Queensbury grows, it needs to consider the recreational opportunities available to its residents. Other neighboring communities such as Lake George, Moreau, Wilton and Clifton Park have invested in athletic fields so residents, particularly youth, have the opportunity to participate in organized team sports. Developing multi-use athletic fields at Ridge/Jenkinsville Park will provide Queensbury residents with athletic fields and recreational opportunities that match those available in other nearby communities.

Estimated Project Costs and Funding

The estimated costs for the proposed 2007 improvements are:

Parking – Driveway Entrance to Field House	$251,000
3 Multi-use Athletic Fields	$342,000
Field House (restrooms, storage, etc.)	$223,000
Field Irrigation & Pump Equipment	$105,000
Professional Services and Misc	$55,000
	$976,000

The exact cost of designing and constructing the proposed improvements will be determined through competitive bidding processes during the first half of 2007. Selection of the design firm and construction contractor is subject to the final approval of the Town Board.

Due to the capital investment required, the Recreation Commission is requesting Town Board approval to utilize Capital Improvement Plan funds.