ATHOL – The town’s Open Space & Recreation Commission is looking for a few good members.

Athol Planning and Economic Development Director Eric Smith recently spoke with the Athol Daily News about the need to fill three vacancies on the commission. Since that time, he said earlier this week, one person has expressed interest in but has not yet committed to serving. The commission is deeply involved in several initiatives affecting quality of life in the community.

Among projects the commission is closely monitoring or overseeing is, said Smith, “Obviously, Rabbit Run. And Silver Lake Park has been a project of interest to them.”

Four years ago, he explained, two students from the Sustainable Landscape Planning and Design Program at the Conway School developed the Silver Lake Park Master Plan.

“We’re still trying to work to implement it,” he said. “At this phase, the DPW (Department of Public Works) has already done some work, but we have to go for grants for larger capital items.”

Rabbit Run is a proposal to develop the rail bed of what was once known as the Rabbit Run Railroad, which ran from Springfield to downtown Athol. Plans call for development of the trail, starting at the New Salem line and continuing to downtown, to be completed in four phases.

“I know the committee also has interest in siting a skate park in Athol,” Smith continued. “We’ve been trying to identify the best location, but the best ones are publicly owned. But I think that’s a project of interest to them.”

Other projects under consideration by the commission include establishing a splash park, trying to build up the Millers River Greenway, and other recreational opportunities, such as ballfields or other play areas.

The requirements to serve on the commission are pretty straightforward, according to Smith.

“As long as you live in the community and have an interest in the community, that’s pretty much it – that, and being able to attend when we meet.”

The commission meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

Anyone interested in serving on the commission should send an email to Town Manager Shaun Suhoski at ssuhoski@townofathol.org. Interested parties can also contact Smith at smith@townofathol.org.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.