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<br />Town of Lexington - FY2024-28 CPA Project
<br />Program Name: Park Improvements - Athletic Fields Date: 9/15/06
<br />Program ID: Rec-CPA-2 Department: Recreation & Community Programs Revised: 9/28/22
<br />Submitted by: Chris Filadoro Phone: (781) 274-8355 Email: cfiladoro@lexingtonma.gov
<br />Description of Capital Program:
<br />The Recreation Committee requests $285,000 in FY2024 to renovate the Bridge School Fields. The renovation will
<br />include irrigation upgrades, laser grading, new natural grass, and the installation of new backstops, signage, and
<br />park benches. Additionally, based on the recommendations in the 2017 ADA Compliance Study, the route to the
<br />fields from the sidewalk that runs along the school's entrance driveway will be formalized to become compliant with
<br />accessibility regulations. The routes between the two softball field and the playground will also be formalized to
<br />provide universal access throughout the site.
<br />The Town of Lexington athletic fields see excessive use and timely renovations and updates are critical to provide
<br />safe and playable fields for all user groups. The athletic fields are used by the Residents, Non -Residents, Lexington
<br />Public Schools, Youth and Adult League programs, Recreation & Community Programs and by youth & adult
<br />organizations and neighborhood families evenings and weekends. Proposed future renovations will include natural
<br />turf, drainage, new irrigation systems (where applicable), and site amenities (benches, backstops, etc.).
<br />Goals of Capital Program:
<br />Safety for all participants is the major concern and improving upon the safety of the fields is the major benefit to all
<br />users. The Town of Lexington athletic fields are constantly used by recreation, school, youth, and adult groups.
<br />They are in need of major repairs that cannot be completed within the operating budget. There are safety issues
<br />with faulty backstops, uneven turf, uneven infield areas, and drainage. This is an ongoing multi-year capital
<br />program to address safety and playability concerns and to provide adequate and safe field conditions for
<br />neighborhood families, recreation, and school programs. The benefit would be to renovate the fields to a condition
<br />where they will be safe, playable, and more easily maintained.
<br />Impact if Not Maintained:
<br />The Public Works Department oversees the maintenance of the school and Town athletic facilities. The impact of
<br />not approving this request is a continuing deterioration of the fields which may lead to injuries and cancellation of
<br />games. This will impact the School teams, youth leagues, adult leagues, and Recreation programs and affect the
<br />quality of life in Lexington.
<br />Major Spending over Past 5 Years:
<br />In FY2017, the multi-purpose field at Adams Park was renovated. In FY2018, irrigation upgrades were made at 14
<br />athletic fields throughout town (Center, Lincoln, Clarke, Diamond, Estabrook, Garfield, and Harrington). In
<br />FY2020, the athletic fields at the Diamond Middle School were renovated. A total of $680,000 was appropriated
<br />for these three projects.
<br />Work Currently Underway:
<br />Funding was appropriated in FY2021 ($370,000) to renovate the Harrington School Field, including excavating the
<br />infield areas, laser grading, and new in -ground irrigation systems at the Harrington, Bowman, and Franklin.
<br />Additionally, based on the recommendations in the 2017 ADA Compliance Study, at Harrington, the gravel
<br />driveway from Lowell Street into the site is being paved to allow for the provision of additional accessible parking
<br />and a formal entrance. A route from the school drive to the softball and baseball team areas is also being created
<br />and the team areas are being renovated to provide more appropriate wheelchair space, which would make them
<br />accessible. This project is on hold until the status of the proposed Mystic River Watershed stormwater mitigation
<br />project is known as ADA components are included in both projects.
<br />Recreation - Page 26 Printed October 10, 2022
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