Ideas & Suggestions

From Suzanne Selig [96.252.61.13] - 2008-10-02

The Friends of the Coolidge Community Park has received non-profit  501 C-3 status.  Having non-profit status provides:

• Tax Exemption from federal income tax as a charitable organization
• Grant eligibility to receive private and public grants
•  Donors can make tax-deductible donations
• Application for special postage rates at a reduced cost

Checks must be made out to: Crossroads/CoolidgePark

Send Checks to:  Suzanne Selig, Coolidge Park, 29 Elmwood Street, Maynard, MA 01754

We unfortunately were not able to receive CPA money because of legal issues.  The renovation can not be applied to pre-existing property that was not purchased with CPA funds.  There is an organization that is trying to change this. It is called the Conservation Preservation Coalition; their web site is: http://www.communitypreservation.org/SpringElections.cfm

 

October 1, 2007- Court ruling issued on uses of CPA funds for recreation projects

A court ruling was issued late last week on a lawsuit brought by a group of citizens in Newton. The suit questioned the city of Newton's approval of CPA funds for a recreation project at a local park. The judge's ruling in the case reaffirmed guidance offered previously by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR), which stated that CPA funds can not be used to rehabilitate or restore recreational assets unless those assets have been acquired or created with CPA funds. For a copy of the ruling and the DOR's opinion on the issue, click on the links below.

Newton Recreation Court Decision

DOR Letter on Recreation Question

Hopefully we can work to help change this.

 

Also, in July we waited to hear from the Boundless Playgrounds.  We applied for a $125,000 grant that an anonymous donor made available to a town in the Metro West area.  The people from Boundless Playgrounds were very excited about our project; however the donor chose the Town of Sudbury, MA.

Now that we have 501 C-3 status we can apply for more grants. 

We will have a table at MaynardFest. We will be selling t-shirts and hats, have games for kids!

See you there!  We need your support! Tell your friends and ask your companies to donate!

Thank you for your patience.

Suzanne Selig

 

From Heather F [141.154.229.62] - 2008-08-06

I heard that the town could not grant the  park funds out of the CPA funds because, if i understood properly, its not new and its fixing a pre-existing play ground.  I'd like to learn more about that since my understanding is that the other projects funded by the CPA are not new.  Sorry to post this as a comment but i couldn't find anyone to email.

From Ben Clark [24.91.157.168] - 2008-03-30

These are some great ideas to make the place more attractive and kid friendly.
It would be nice to have a playground in town and not have to go to Lincoln or Concord.
Especially love the amphitheatre; Summer concerts ... childrens theatre ...

 

From Alannah - 2007-12-08

Hi Audrey,

That's not picky at all- in fact that was our plan. We want to put up a "doggie doo" station in the park. We may also put up a sign with rules for dogs in the park. We do not want dogs to be banned from the park, it is one of the only green spaces dogs are allowed in Maynard and we don't want to take that away from dog owners. For all you dog owners out there-  please clean up after your dog and maintain control of your dog at all times. We want this park to be inviting for all! Thank you!

From 71.184.240.189 - 2007-12-06

Hi

This may sound a bit picky but I was wondering if the isssue of dogs in the park has come up. I'm thinking of my little girl wanting to run in the grass and putting down a blanket for the events that will be held there.

Some parks put up doggy bag dispensers at the gates with trash barrels. Posted signs would be good to enforce this too.

 

Thanks

Audrey

From Amy Gay [24.91.157.168] - 2007-11-30

We would love a safe, contemporary, and interesting playground in Maynard. This is such a great idea and we wholeheartedly support it. Let us know how we can help. We'll certainly contribute!