SOUTH HADLEY — Buttery Brook Park renovations are in full swing this fall, just as Town Meeting members will consider allocating an additional $182,000 to the project at a special Town Meeting Wednesday night.

Last year, Town Meeting approved $715,000 for the project, $500,000 of which will be reimbursed after South Hadley received a half-million dollar grant for the project in January. In addition, Friends of Buttery Brook Park have raised $165,000, but Human Resources Director Andrew Rodgers said more funds are required to complete every item on the list.

“As we got into this, we had $715,000, which doesn’t go that far when doing a park project like this,” Rodgers said. “The park is truly a gem, it the centerpiece of recreation in South Hadley.”

The town is polishing its “gem” with the most recent project that involves at least a dozen renovations and expansions. Many improvements revolve around accessibility like new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant walking trails and playground equipment. Other projects will provide new entertainment for residents, like the nine-hole disc golf course and a stage for concerts.

“We could have asked for a whole lot more, but we’re trying to be reasonable and maybe down they line we can do a phase three if we can get another grant in the future,” Rodgers said.

The recreation area off Willimansett Street, established in 1980, has grown in popularity since the first round of renovations were completed about a decade ago.

In addition to recreational additions, the renovation underway now will also include beatification efforts. A large grove of dying red pines by the pavilion will be removed and replaced with a variety of local saplings. According to Rodgers, the pines have sustained damage from invasive species and extreme weather, and their roots are a tripping hazard.

Rodgers said the state grant requires that every planting removed must be replaced with two new plantings and installation of signs to educate residents on the native plants. He is working with the Conservation Commission to decide the most environmentally-friendly plants for the park.

Other work planned include installation of new benches, repainting the basketball courts and refurbishing picnic benches.

The renovations were designed by a committee made up of four members from the Recreation Commission, three members from Friends of Buttery Brook Park, and a member from the Committee on Disabilities. The committee sought community feedback, holding a forum to gather public input.

It was residents’ consistent feedback and requests for more pickleball courts that led to four new courts in the final design, doubling the number of courts currently there.

“We’re one of the larger pickleball communities around and eight courts total would be really good to get some play there,” Rodgers said.

Jeffrey Squire from Berkshire Design drafted the design, which is now being carried out. Playground renovations, according to Jon Jalbert, a consultant from UltiPlay Parks & Playgrounds, are 95% completed.

Emilee Klein can be reached at eklein@gazettenet.com.