Rochester Select Board Hears Ideas for Gifford Park Improvements

Spring is in the air, and soon we'll be hearing the crack of the bats around Gifford Park in Rochester.

The youth baseball park is one of the Tri-Town fields that hosts Old Rochester Youth Baseball games.

While the field itself and its facilities are in good shape, there are ideas for logistical improvements and upgrades to make the public space more functional. These ideas were shared with the Rochester Select Board by baseball parent and coach Nate Reece.

Gifford Park Improvements

Reece presented a “conceptual sketch” aimed at reimagining Gifford Park’s layout.

"This is not really meant to be official, but it's just to get the conversation going," Reece said.

His vision includes general shifts, such as relocating the batting cages behind the barn and adjusting parking areas.

"If you drive down Mary’s Pond Road on a busy Saturday, you probably have 50 cars parked along there," he said.

The conceptual plan envisions a larger parking area using land that will hopefully come from the Rochester Land Trust. The goal is to keep most spectator parking off the road.

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Rochester Land Trust Could Possibly Donate Land

Another key improvement would be widening the one-lane road leading in and out of the ballpark’s parking area to alleviate a "choke point" near the bleachers. This change would also improve visibility for drivers entering and exiting the facility.

"The cars pull in now, and it's kind of chaotic," Reece said. "It's another safety point where kids could be running around, or cars could be jutting out and getting hit. This change would improve the view for drivers."

Additionally, the plan includes creating designated handicap parking near the home plate and trailhead areas, ensuring better access to the park for everyone.

The Select Board seemed receptive to Reece’s ideas and discussed reaching out to the land trust.

"So right now, it's in the infant stage, but my goal is to just try to raise awareness," Reece said.