With the Fuller Brook Park project nearing completion, a few new benches have been added along the Brook Path including one donated by The Sunday Runners, a group that has been meeting every Sunday morning in town for a casual run for nearly three decades “As far as we know, at least one of us has been here for the run every Sunday since 1987,” said one founding member, Jeff Dosdall. The group includes runners who grew up in Wellesley and who once ran cross country and track for WHS, those who moved to Wellesley to raise their families, and others who commute from nearby communities to join their friends in keeping up the tradition.
The group has commemorated that long-running tradition (pun intended) by donating a bench, located near the Dover Rd. intersection of the Fuller Brook Path and which is, of course, on the group’s Sunday run route.
The path to donating a bench runs pretty smoothly in town. The process involves identifying location options, possible approval requirements, and the ordering of the bench and/or plaque. It can happen in as few as six weeks, but you know how multi-step projects go. I’m just saying that if you want to present it as a Christmas gift, bow and all, plan for next year.
The donation of a bench is a process that always involves the Department of Public Works Park & Tree Division and often involves other Town agencies such as the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), Selectmen, Facilities, Schools, and others, depending on the desired placement of the bench.
According to Town Horticulturist Cricket Vlass, “We have all manner of sites that need benches. Some locations, such as Fuller Brook Park, have an NRC-approved plan that we follow for potential locations. Other areas may be explored as options and we would assist in determining appropriate locations.We have a standard bench for both parklands and athletic fields. The benches are different, which the cost of the donation reflects. In general, the cost runs between $950.00 and $1,300.00 and is dependent upon location, type of bench, how it will be installed, and whether a plaque will be part of the donation. The donation lasts for a minimum of 15 years or longer depending upon the useful life of the bench. The Park Division will make necessary repairs for the first 15 years, however, the benches are of high quality and generally outlast that time frame. Picnic table are also available for donation.”
Vlass says that six benches were installed in 2016: five at Fuller Brook Park and one at Morton Park. Several more are scheduled for spring 2017. In addition, there are nine more approved locations for Fuller Brook Park from Maugus Ave to Grove St., however, the section from Grove to Dover is now full.
Anyone interested in donating a bench on Town-owned property, other than schools, can directly contact the Town department that owns the land, and that department will pass along the request to Vlass. Schools have a slightly different policy and the request should go directly to them. If the interested party doesn’t know which department to contact, they can contact Vlass directly at #781-235-7600 x3332 or cvlass@wellesleyma.gov.
Thank you to reader MC for contributing to this post.
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