Tag Archives: Friends of Roberts Field

Bat Houses at Roberts Field

Four bat houses were installed at Roberts Field recently by volunteers. The four houses will provide potential habitat for hundreds of bats, who are an important member of our ecosystem and play a key role in pollinating plants. Bats are also a great natural pest control, as one little brown bat can eat 60 medium-sized moths or over 1000 mosquito-sized insects in one night.

Bats like tight spaces. The design of the bat houses mimics the bats’ ideal baby nursery, the natural the narrow space between tree trunk and it’s bark. The houses are painted black to retain solar heat, and keep the interior warm for the babies. Horizontal grooves are carved inside the box. to to make it easier for the bats to climb up.

The pond side location is ideal for the bat houses as it provides water access, lots of sun, and is 15 feet off the ground.

Skate Shack Gets New Foundation

With the help of volunteers and the Chelmsford Department of Public Works (DPW), a new foundation was created for the skate shack that sits pond side at Roberts Field. The skate shack was built in 2015 as a Silver Award project by Chelmsford Girl Scout Troop #60638, and the new foundation will keep the shack upright and level for many years to come.

The design and placement of the shack was reviewed and approved by the Chelmsford Conservation Commission, and materials were provided by the DPW. The foundation design is meant to minimize the freeze-thaw effect that unlevels the ground and pushes concrete piers out of the ground.

Volunteers dug the foundation hole by hand, and moved the materials into place, including granite skirts and steps meant to anchor the shack into place. In 2015, the skate shack toppled over due to very high winds.

Changes Coming to Roberts Field

Changes are coming to Roberts Field, at least a portion of it, according to Bill Askenburg, founder of the 2-year-old organization, Friends of Roberts Field.

As part of a plan to enhance the trail system in and around Friendship Park, Askenburg, husband of Selectman Janet Askenburg, said a so-called “pollinator park” will soon be planted with a specific list of blooming and fruiting shrubs. Askenburg made a presentation to the Board of Selectmen at the board’s meeting on June 15. “It’s part of an overall plan to improve the trails in the woods, build bridges and footpaths and add benches,” said Askenburg. The plan also includes planting shade trees at the ponds’ edges, and adding benches in a mowed grassy meadow and picnic tables.

He said two Eagle Scout projects have created the bridges; a volunteer has built a map kiosk. There will be bat and bee houses as well. “It’s a labor of love,” said Askenburg. “It’s taken a long time, but it’s also been a lot of fun. It will improve the neighborhood.” The new park will lie at the corner of Old Westford Road and Westford Street, adjacent to the fire station. Askenburg said the pollinator park will not interfere with the soccer and baseball fields that are now at Roberts Field.

But the two ponds and wetlands will be cleared of the invasive species and planted with an eye to creating a pastoral experience for hikers or outdoor lovers. He said wetlands scientist Cori Rose drew up a list of about 50 specific plants for the park. Askenburg said anyone from the community with a bush or shrub that is on the list can donate it to pollinator park. Selectman Askenburg was not in attendance at the meeting, according to Town Manager Paul Cohen.

“So far, day lilies are in, and we have cut back the nonnative invasives,” said Askenburg. “We are getting a handle on the poison ivy, and are about to start the garden beds.” “Everything we are doing is wildlife-friendly,” said Askenburg. He said there are owls, hawks, snakes, frogs and turtles in the ponds that he hopes will find a spiffed-up environment. “We want to get access to see all of that,” he said.

The board approved a memorial donation of $500 toward the effort. Next up for Askenburg is to ask for a Community Action Grant for about $1,500 to help pay for the field improvements. The total cost is estimated at $2,800, he said.

By Betsy Levinson
chelmsford@wickedlocal.com
Chelmsford Independent

CHELMSFORD