(2/11) The Taneytown Parks & Recreation Advisory Board moved forward at their February meeting to seek bids for proposed work to improve the walking trails and basketball court at Roberts Mill Park.
Lorena Vaccare, director of Parks & Recreation, told the board members that the city had received an estimate on the proposed work for the trails and ball-court at the at Roberts Mill Park from Hobbs Excavating LLC, Fairfield, of $250,000. However, she said that estimate including the use of ReadyBlock - lightweight concrete blocks comprised of recycled aggregates.
Vaccare noted that Hobbs could get the cost down to $145,000 if the company used riprap (loose stones) in lieu of ReadyBlock É Òprovided that he (Hobbs) can overlay some parts of the path that donÕt need to be completely demolished and redone.Ó
The director said the city would pursue the use of riprap over blocks in the trail, and court repairs, and the improvements would also include the planting of low-growing, flowering vegetation among the riprap to Òsoften the look.Ó
The project will be put out for bids, Vaccare said. The estimate was obtained in order to provide the board with an idea of the appropriate costs to refer to when putting the project up-for-bids.
The director said that the bids would be restricted to not exceed $150,000, with the requests for proposals (RFPs) to be released March 1 with bidding open until April 2, with the actual work to not commence until after the May 15 Fishing Derby.
The $150,000 É representing the maximum amount to be spent on the improvements, was approved by the city Council at their February meeting as a 2020-2021 budget amendment. Vaccare said the advisory board will be given an opportunity to review the bid specifications before they are published.
Roberts Mill is located on 19.3 acres of open space, with a large pond that is fed by natural springs. The pond is home to a variety of different animals and wildlife, including ducks and geese.
There is also a lighted walking and jogging trail around the pond É with benches along the way for park visitors to use. Roberts Mill Park also has separate soccer and lacrosse fields with ample lighting, a full basketball court, a fenced-in playground, and three picnic pavilions.
