Young families turn out in support of Exeter recreation park

EXETER - Saturday's deliberative session debate over the proposed $7.1 million recreation park redevelopment swelled into a robust conversation about the town's demographics, both age and economic status.

In addition, Exeter High School's auditorium was full of new faces, many young parents advocating for the "quality of life" project.

The recreation expansion plans, which will appear on the warrant in the form of a citizens petition, include two youth softball fields in partnership with the Exeter Junior Baseball and Softball League, adding lights to the current soccer field and adult softball field, a soccer field expansion, a new playground to replace the current 1998 playground that does not meet current standards, moving the pool deck, and a 16,000 square-foot building for multiple uses including programming, offices and camp backup site.

The project would also increase available parking by over 100 spaces.

While the $7,100,520 bond was presented to the Budget Recommendations Committee and selectmen as a Capital Improvement Plan project, residents crafted a citizens petition prior to selectmen finalizing the warrant. The Budget Recommendations Committee unanimously endorsed the project, while the selectmen did not recommend it 2 to 3.

Voters got more of an in-depth look at Exeter Parks and Recreation's needs when it comes to their Hampton Road facility through the eyes of parents, coaches and frequent recreation users.

Parent and coach Stephanie Papakonstantis said there are both critical safety and sanitary reasons the redevelopment should be approved. She noted the lack of lights at the facility results in children walking to their parents' cars in the dark, with coaches checking in later to make sure everyone made it home safe.

"The importance of recreation has never been more important than it is now," said Rob Ficara. "There is nothing more important than face-to-face activity, communications and relations between people. We need this project to happen. This is part of the fabric that makes our quality of life in Exeter so valuable."

The issue of age demographics arose during discussions, some arguing elderly people in town wouldn't want to pay for "kids' activities." However, not all agreed.

"In this town, everybody subsidizes a little bit for things that people are doing at all ages," said Jay Childs. "My daughter is basically through the recreation phase of her life and I still think there are a lot of elements of this that are a good idea."

Childs did note he saw a "lack of prioritization" with both the recreation park and $5 million library project on the warrant in the same year. "Neither one of these is going to get its true consideration because we're stacking them in the same year," he said.

Gerry Hamel said the town's infrastructure, such as water, sewer and aging pipes, needs to be addressed before projects such as the recreation park are approved.

"Exeter is not going to be able to have affordable housing if we're going to have $5 million, $7 million, $23 million for a school," Hamel said. "We have too much of a wish-list. We're taking a lot of people that would like to move into this town and we're basically prohibiting them to do it unless they are wealthy people."

Selectwoman Anne Surman said she felt the project should have been phased out over time, with the aging Planet Playground being addressed first. In addition, she wished residents had given the Board of Selectmen the opportunity to discuss the project and possibly lower the cost, but the citizens petition cemented its final amount on the ballot.

To that, resident Maria Proulx said she was "a little taken aback at the shock that the citizens of the town of Exeter that elected you into your seat" would take it into their own hands to put forth a petition warrant article.

"Rather than seeing it as us (taking) your power away, see it as us wanting to be engaged in the process," Proulx said.

Proulx said she felt needed town infrastructure should include the recreation program. "For those who said we're making a town so only wealthy people can come live here, the rec program gives scholarships to families who can't sign their kids up for club sports," she said. "We have a real need and an opportunity here."

Some argued an expanded recreation program would allow for the department to offer more opportunities for seniors. The department's facilities currently don't have the capacity to offer an array of programming for the elderly, said Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Greg Bisson.

"This project is not just for kids," said Fran Hall. "I'm 73-years-old, I have no children in town and I support it. I believe in contributing to the fabric of the town, contributing to the community. I think that alone is a good enough reason to support projects like this. It's not just little kid stuff."

Resident and local demographer Peter Francese urged voters to approve all three major projects on the ballot this year: the recreation park, library expansion and Cooperative Middle School renovation. "We need more young people," he said. "We're the fastest aging state in this country. It's time we took care of our young people."

Selectwoman Julie Gilman argued that the department offers programs for all generations, and that she often hears people come to Exeter because of the Parks and Recreation department.

"This really is infrastructure," she said. "It supports the town, it supports the people of the town."

For some, the project could have been designed differently and tout more for $7.1 million. Resident Jen Martel said she thought the town could do better.

"I would really like to see the designers get together with stakeholders from the community including parents and residents and take another look at the design," she said.

At the end of the discussion, Selectman Dan Chartrand said it was gratifying to see so many new faces speaking to quality of life issues in Exeter.

"Folks in their 40s and 30s, stepping forward and taking leadership, thank you," he said.

On Tuesday, Bisson said he was "very impressed" with the outpouring of support for the project at deliberative session.

"The residents behind the petition article really showed up and showed how passionate they are for parks and rec," Bisson said.

Bisson said the project has gone through a multi-layered vetting process, beginning with a resident survey in 2014. In a 2014-2015 needs assessment conducted by the University of New Hampshire, one of the recommendations was "redesign, renovate, and expand available outdoor recreation facilities and amenities at the recreation park." The project was presented to the Budget Recommendations Committee last budget season, but Parks and Recreation were told to take it back to the drawing board and come back with a revised plan the following year.