Anonymous Donation Made To Eldredge Park Project

ORLEANS – Funding for the first phase of work to renovate Eldredge Park got a boost last week thanks to an unknown source.

The select board on Aug. 26 accepted an anonymous $150,000 donation to the project, unanimously voting to accept it with thanks.

Select Board Chair Mefford Runyon said that the donor is a long-time Orleans resident and avid user of the town’s recreation facilities. He said that the donor hopes that his contribution will likewise inspire others to give to the effort.

“This really is a person that wasn’t asked,” Runyon said. “They called up on the phone and said they would like to make this gift.”

The town has also applied for a $425,000 park grant through the state Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. Tom DeSiervo, the town’s former director of recreation, culture and community events, said that the town may not find out whether or not it received the grant until November. He said an article will be drafted for the November special town meeting to accept the grant in the event it is awarded to the town. 

The phase one Eldredge Park work will include the construction of two new tennis courts, six new pickleball courts, a full-length basketball court, a new playground and a network of accessible paths connecting all of the park features. Voters at last November’s special town meeting authorized the use of $3 million in Community Preservation Act funds to be put toward the project. That’s on top of additional funding previously awarded the project at town meeting in 2023.

DeSiervo told the board that a contract has been awarded to M.C.E. Dirtworks of Eastham to carry out the renovations. The company’s $3.71 bid includes all the phase one work as well as three additional project alternatives. Those include a new handball court as well as lighting for the pickleball and tennis courts and a pedestrian walkway.

DeSiervo said that the project engineer, Weston and Sampson, was to provide renderings and colorings of playground equipment and surfacing this week. He said the town is purchasing the playground and fitness equipment directly from the manufacturer, which he said will save between $50,000 and $100,000.

“I don’t have any questions,” Runyon said. “I’m just sort of in awe as to how well this has kind of been handled.”

Assistant Town Manager Mark Reil said per the contract with M.C.E. Dirtworks, the project is expected to be completed by May 22. DeSiervo noted that with a cooperative winter, the completion date could arrive sooner.

“I just can’t wait to see what this becomes,” he said.