A rendering from Gale Associates shows the potential layout for a redeveloped Pyne Field.

After Tuesday night’s Parks & Recreation Commission meeting, a new parking plan for Pyne Field is under evaluation.

Community Preservation Committee chair Ken Weismantel and vice chair Eric Sonnett were on hand to pitch the new plan to the commission. 

Weismantel and Sonnett’s presence at the meeting followed a presentation that commission chair Dan Terry made to the CPC back in October. In that meeting, he requested funds for a driveway from Fruit Street to the proposed Pyne Field parking lot.

“CPC’s probably not in a mood to spend $400,000 on a parking lot,” Weismantel said to the commission.

The driveway would have redirected visitors away from an access road to JB Sawmill, whose owners continuously have raised concerns about pedestrian traffic at Pyne Field. It superseded an earlier plan that put a parking lot across the access road to the east.

Weismantel’s new solution would put a parking lot to the south of the fields in a wooded area. The lot would remain accessible via the existing accessway, and no additional funds would be required.

He went on to explain the reasoning behind his proposal, saying: “I don’t have enough money to fund both Center School and the driveway.”

“The driveway is a quarter of what we get from CPC [funding],” Weismantel added.

The CPC is looking to rehabilitate and restore Center School as a mixed-use building. The project is estimated to cost $10 million and would include space for the Parks & Rec Department.

Before Weismantel gave his presentation, Lewitus clarified he wanted to include the new parking plan as part of the first phase of the Pyne Field project. 

This first phase, which involves field surveys and project designs, has to happen for Pyne Field to move forward. According to Lewitus, adding Weismantel’s proposal allows the commission to weigh all available options.

“If we want to move the project forward, regardless of where the parking lot goes … Phase 1 has to happen,” said Lewitus.

“To go to the Planning Board, we need the plans Jon is proposing,” Terry added.

Lewitus went on to explain that with the commission’s support, he would initiate the survey process with Gale Associates, instructing the firm to look at both the driveway option and Weismantel’s proposal.

Commission members expressed differing viewpoints on the new parking lot option.

“It kind of solves a problem where people aren’t going to cross the street,” said Terry. “It seems like a decent, viable direction to go in.”

Vice chair Amy O’Donnell expressed frustration about the issue. “Every time we move forward, everyone gives their two cents and we change the plan again,” she said.

She also confirmed that the CPC would not support funding the driveway plan.

“We don’t view building a roadway for a sawmill as a recreational expense,” responded Weismantel.

Member Laura Hanson was in support of moving forward with the survey process. “We can’t move forward without a survey,” she said. “I feel that money is well spent.”

After further discussion, the commission voted unanimously to move forward with Phase 1. It will evaluate both plans once field surveys and assessments are completed.