HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-19-REC-min-attRECREATION COMMITTEE
TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
v5_MaRN,\.
x
N
O
\1
APRIL 19'"
�xlNc�rt��
ANNUAL REPORT ON
RECREATION CAPITAL PROJECTS
SUBMITTED MARCH 2025
RECREATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS
RICK DEANGELIS (CHAIR) 9 CHRISTIAN BOUTWELL (VICE CHAIR
CLAIRE SHETH 0 CARL FANTASIA • WEIWEI LI • RENEN BASSIK
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword............................................................................................................................................
1
FY2026 Recreation Capital Projects Summary Statement................................................................
3
FY2026 Recreation Capital Project Proposals
Center Complex Playground Replacement (2025 ATM Article 10g) ......................................
6
Old Harrington/Maple St Athletic Fields (2025 ATM Article 10h) .........................................
7
Lincoln Park Field #3 Replacement (2025 ATM Article 10i) ..................................................
10
Pine Meadows GC Equipment (2025 ATM Article 11)...........................................................
11
Lincon Park Parking Lot (2025 ATM Article 12k)...................................................................12
FY2026 — FY2030 Recreation Capital Projects Summary Table .....................................................
13
FY2026 — FY2030 Recreation Capital Projects Summary List ........................................................
15
FY202— - FY2025 Recreation Capital Project Updates
FY2025Appropriations.............................................................................................................16
FY2024Appropriations.............................................................................................................21
FY2023Appropriations.............................................................................................................24
FY2022Appropriations.............................................................................................................27
Appendix A: Athletic Fields Major Capital Projects 2025 — 2045 ....................................................29
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
FOREWORD
Welcome to the Recreation Committee Capital Projects Report. The official charge of the
Recreation Committee does not require submission of an annual report to Town Meeting, but we
believe that such a report can provide useful information to the community regarding the numerous
capital assets that support recreation in Lexington and the capital expenses associated with their
ongoing maintenance.
The Town of Lexington has developed an extensive recreation infrastructure comprising 62
athletic fields and hard courts, 11 playgrounds, 2 aquatics facilities, a track, and a nine hole golf
course. In addition to routine annual maintenance, all of these assets require periodic, larger scale
renovation and/or replacement projects in order to maintain their existing level of quality and
playability. Indeed, the bulk of recreation -related capital expenditures fund just such projects, and
the professional staff of the Recreation and Community Programs Department have developed
robust long-range forecasting of the approximate need for such projects (see for example Appendix
A). As projects draw near, the Recreation Committee and the Recreation and Community
Programs Department work together to fit them into our 5 -year capital plan, which is then further
refined in collaboration with the Town Manager and Finance Department, the Select Board, the
Appropriation Committee, and the Capital Expenditures Committee during the annual Town
budgeting process.
The Recreation Committee believes that the Town faces two critical challenges to the ongoing
maintenance of recreation capital assets and the provision of recreation fields and facilities at the
current levels of availability and quality: 1) the impact of the Lexington High School building
project and 2) the reliance of the Town on Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds for the
completion of recreation -related capital projects.
The impact of the Lexington High School construction project on the availability of existing fields
will pose a challenge in the coming years. That said, the Recreation Committee appreciates the
effort of the School Building Committee (SBC) and project team over the past year to understand
and mitigate, to the extent possible, the impact of the LHS project on the athletic fields at the
Center Recreation Complex including the prior exclusion of Center Field 92 (varsity softball) from
1
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
the construction zone and the current effort to also avoid impacting Center Field #1 (varsity
baseball). The protection of the Center # 1 and Center #2 fields, and thus also the Center #7 overlay
field, will support the LHS softball and baseball programs, the Recreation and Community
Programs Department's summer programing, and numerous other users of those fields.
Nonetheless, there will still be substantial challenges to our field user groups resulting from the
loss of the Crumb football field, Fitzgerald little league field, JV baseball field, cricket overlay
field, and Worthen Road practice field, and we continue to pursue multiple, collaborative
approaches to address those challenges. Additionally, the Committee supports the intention of the
SBC and project team to replicate on site any fields that are lost to the new building footprint in a
community -friendly design and configuration. That said, the (re)development of the lost fields will
be among the very last elements of a lengthy and complex construction process, and the Recreation
Committee is concerned that any budget overruns, a non -zero likelihood in a project of this
magnitude, will naturally accumulate to the final steps of the project, and could thereby delay
and/or reduce the scope of the field reconstruction phase of the LHS school building project. We
will look forward to continued collaboration with the SBC and project team throughout the project
to smoothly navigate the redevelopment of lost fields.
In recent practice, the Town has largely relied on CPA funding to complete the majority of
recreation -related capital projects with the typical exception of capital projects at the Pine
Meadows Golf Course (funded from the Recreation Enterprise Fund) or capital project expenses
directly associated with artificial turf (funded from the General Fund). Although this practice has
worked quite well to produce our high-quality recreational infrastructure, the Recreation
Committee believes the combination of the annual uncertainty regarding the Commonwealth's
contribution into Lexington's CPA fund and the growing community interest in greater CPA -based
funding of affordable housing initiatives raises the possibility that the prior practice may not be
sufficient to sustain the ongoing capital costs of Lexington's recreation assets. Our intention
raising this point here is to catalyze conversation and discussion with the Select Board, Town
Manager's Office and Finance Department, Capital Expenditures Committee, and Appropriation
Committee, among others, regarding what, if any, changes in funding policy and/or practice may
be necessary to support Lexington's highly valued, community -wide, recreational assets into the
future.
2
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
Recreation Capital Summary Statement - FY2026
The intent of this summary is to provide additional context for the Fiscal Year 2026 Recreation &
Community Programs Capital Program Submission that is submitted by the Recreation and
Community Programs Department as part of the Town's annual CIP review process and includes
not only capital projects proposed for FY2026 appropriation, but also capital projects anticipated
for an additional 4 years, i.e., a 5 -year capital plan.
The Town has enjoyed great success over the years in developing its recreation infrastructure, and
ongoing capital investment to maintain and/or replace it is critical to continuing to provide existing
recreation opportunities to our residents. As a result, most Recreation capital expenses are "level -
service" projects, i.e., those necessary to maintain the recreation, leisure activities, play, sports,
and physical education as they are currently being enjoyed by residents. Such projects most
commonly comprise end -of -life renovations and replacements and/or updates to meet current
recreation industry best practices. The professional staff of the Recreation and Community
Programs Department are to be commended for the work they've done over the past several years
to track and prepare for the end -of -life renovation and/or replacement projects at our parks and
playgrounds, playing fields and courts, and at the Pine Meadows Golf Course.
In considering potential capital projects, the Recreation Committee and the leadership of the
Recreation and Community Programs Department work together closely to balance multiple, at
times competing, factors including:
• fulfilling the Recreation Committee charge of "...administering, expanding, and promoting
recreation, leisure activities, play, sports and physical education.";
• maintaining the level of facilities and services as currently being provided to the
community;
• protecting and sustaining the fiscal health of the Recreation Enterprise Fund;
• responding to community needs including as identified in the Recreation Facilities and
ADA Compliance Study (2017), the 2020 Community Needs Assessment, the
Comprehensive Study of Athletic and Outdoor Recreation Facilities (2021-2022, by
members of the Sports Advisory Council, and by direct resident communication;
• enhancing the facilities and services provided to the community;
• aligning with the goals and priorities of other Town boards and committees including but
not limited to the Select Board, the Conservation Commission, and the Lincoln Park
Subcommittee;
• and honoring Town bylaws and Town Meeting resolutions.
Capital Impact of/Response to the LHS Project
It should come as no surprise that in addition to the above factors, the Lexington High School
building project is exerting a substantial influence on recreation -related capital planning. The
3
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
"Bloom" massing option that was unanimously selected by the School Building Committee to
advance in the project process will result in the project -long closure of the Fitzgerald Little League
Field, the Crumb Football Field, the JV baseball field, the overlay cricket field, and the Worthen
Road practice field until their eventual relocation and reopening as the final phase of project
completion after 5-6 years. In a noteworthy recent and very welcome development, it is our
understanding that in the most recent project planning the Center 1 field (varsity baseball). Center
2 field (varsity softball), and Center 7 overlay field (Center 1 and Center 2 outfields) will no longer
be impacted at all by the Bloom design for the LHS project.
Nonetheless, the loss of fields during the LHS project will exacerbate the existing deficit in field
availability that is well-known among the field user groups and was quantified and documented in
the aforementioned Comprehensive Study of Athletic and Outdoor Recreation Facilities (2021-
2022), and we anticipate that the operations of essentially all current field users in Lexington will
be substantially impacted by LHS -related field closures for multiple years.
Recreation began to take steps to mitigate the anticipated impact of a LHS project on field
availability in the fall of 2022 by revising the FY2024-FY2028 5 -year capital plan to reflect the:
1) one year acceleration of the schedule of end -of -life renovations of the three fields at
Lincoln Park to FY2024, FY2025, and FY2026 so that all are completed and ready for
another 8-10 years of use prior to initiation of the LHS project;
2) installation of athletic lighting to Lincoln Park Field 1 and Field 3 in FY2024 (Field 2
already has lighting) to maximize the availability of those fields for use;
3) development of new athletic fields at the Old Harrington site in FY2026 so that the new
fields can be completed and ready for use prior to initiation of the LHS project.
Items 1 and 2 are on schedule for timely completion with the renovation of Lincoln Field 1 and
the installation of athletic lighting at Field 1 and Field 3 completed in November 2024, funds
appropriated at ATM 2024 for the renovation of Lincoln Field 2 and the project going out to bid
imminently, and the appropriation request for the renovation of Lincoln Field 3 coming before this
2025 ATM. Recreation remains hopeful that this 3 -year replacement cycle for the fields at Lincoln
Park will be completed by the end of 2026.
The pursuit of Item 3, the construction of new athletic fields on the site of the Old Harrington
building, and its completion prior to closure of fields for the LHS project is less certain. The
challenges include difficulty in accelerating the pacing of the design process and the evolving
funding environment for recreation -related capital projects as the demands on Community
Preservation Act (CPA) funds have grown.
4
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTs REPORT
Operational Impact of LHS Project -related Field Closures
As mentioned above, the recent development that Center 1, the varsity baseball field, will remain
online for the duration of a Bloom project is welcome news as that is the only field in town suitable
for varsity -level baseball. However, the other field closures will nonetheless cause significant
disruption to field users.
The Recreation and Community Programs Department is actively engaged in communication and
outreach with the Lexington Public Schools (LPS) Athletics Department and the Sports Advisory
Council, comprising representatives from the organizations that are field permit holders, in an
effort to quantify likely field time deficits, identify critical core needs, seek opportunities for
compromise, and explore alternative field sites in neighboring communities.
The Recreation and Committee Programs Department is also modeling the potential impacts on
Departmental programming, e.g., summer programs, both in terms of how loss of fields may
impact what programs can be offered to Lexington residents and also how such loss of
programming will impact the revenue of the Recreation Enterprise Fund from which the
Department's operating expenses are paid. There is ample reason for concern about the financial
health of the Enterprise Fund during the LHS project.
FY2026 Capital Project Proposals
For FY2026, Recreation proposes 4 level -service capital projects that are necessary to maintain
existing recreation assets as they are currently provided to the community and 1 enhancement
capital project that represent an addition to the recreation assets in Lexington.
Proposed level -service capital projects:
• Pine Meadows GC — equip. replacement
• Center Rec Playground replacement
• Lincoln Park Field #3 replacement
• Lincoln Park parking lot replacementD&E
Cost: $70,000
Funding: Rec EF
Cost: $1,490,000
Funding: CPA
Cost: $1,950,000
Funding: CPA/General
Cost: $375,000
Funding: General Fund
Proposed enhancement capital projects:
• Old Harrington Athletic Fields D&E Cost: $1,197,904 Funding: CPA
incl. potential future artificial turf costs Cost: $2, 000, 000 Funding: General Fund
These FY2026 appropriation requests for capital recreation projects are described in more detail
in the following pages.
5
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
ARTICLE I OG: CENTER COMPLEX PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENT
The Recreation Committee, in collaboration with the Recreation and Community Programs
Department, requests an appropriation of $1,490,000 in FY2026 from Community Preservation
Act (CPA) funds to update and replace the playground equipment and install new safety surfacing
at the Center Playground at the Center Recreation Complex.
The playground at the Center Recreation Complex, aka the Center Playground, is one of two
"community" playgrounds in Lexington, i.e., serving the entire community, and sees heavy use.
The playground was last replaced in 2006 with an estimated lifespan of 15-20 years, and the play
equipment is beginning to fail and the engineered wood fiber surface material is no longer
providing sufficient universal access for residents with mobility challenges.
The playgrounds in Lexington are inspected 3-4 times per year by Recreation and DPW staff that
are certified by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) as Playground Safety
Inspectors. In recent years, inspections of the Center Playground have identified approximately
$100042000 per year of repairs necessary to maintain safe operation. In 2020, all of the
playgrounds in Lexington were subject to an external audit by Innovative Playground Services,
Inc. The 2020 audit identified the following concerns at the Center Playground:
• play elements on the ages 2-5 and ages 5-12 structures are worn and pose pinch hazards;
• the stair side rails to the 80" high platform of the 5-12 structure does not have currently
required protective barriers;
• the swing equipment is heavily worn.
This project includes replacing the existing equipment with new, universally accessible play
structures, installing poured -in-place safety surfacing, and improving ADA -compliant access to
the site. Additionally, an independent third -party inspection will be conducted following project
completion to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
A FY2026 appropriation for this project will allow its completion prior to initiation of the LHS
building project, reducing potential issues of timing and/or staging with that project. The current
plan for the "Bloom" design that was selected by the School Building Committee for advancement
in the project process will not impact the Center Playground or access to it.
The $1,490,000 appropriation request comprises the following estimated components:
Design and Engineering $5,000
Construction $512,000
Equipment $873,000
Contingency $100,000
Total $1,490,000
0
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTs REPORT
ARTICLE I OH: OLD HARRINGTON/MAPLE ST ATHLETIC FIELDS
*Note 1: The Old Harrington Athletic Field Project, and the appropriation request in this article,
is contingent upon the passage of 2025 Annual Town Meeting Article 16e, an appropriation for
the demolition of the Old Harrington building.
* *Note 2: At the time of submission of this report, the project design remains in development and
this article remains the topic of active and ongoing evaluation and discussion among Recreation,
the Town Manager's Office/Finance Department, the Select Board, and others. The appropriation
request is subject to change.
The Recreation Committee, in collaboration with the Recreation and Community Programs
Department, requests an appropriation of $3,197,904 in FY2026 toward two elements of a project
to construct new athletic fields at 146 Maple Street, the current location of the Lexington Public
Schools (LPS) Central Office Building:
1) $1,197,904 from CPA funds for the completion of construction documents, and
2) $2,000,000 from the General Fund to be held in contingency if the project design
includes artificial turf fields.
The 2021-2022 Comprehensive Study of Athletic & Outdoor Recreation Facilities identified an
annual deficit of 6,100 hours between field availability and field demand. Specifically, the Town
has a shortage equivalent to one (1) large rectangle, multi-purpose field and fourteen (14) small
rectangle, multi-purpose fields.
This project aims to reduce this deficiency by constructing a rectangle field facility at 146 Maple
St that will ideally accommodate concurrent play on two full-size, rectangle fields, multiple
concurrent small fields (created by dual -lining and sub -division of the frill -sized fields), and a
cricket field overlay.
The proposed development of these fields addresses two recreational needs in Lexington:
1. the long-standing, existing deficiency in athletic field availability in town, as documented
and quantified by Weston and Sampson in the aforementioned analysis of fields in 2021-
2022, and experienced and noted by to all athletic field users, including the organizations
represented on the Sports Advisory Council;
2. the temporary but lengthy (5+ years) additional loss of field space that will occur during
the LHS building project.
To offset the impacts of point 2 above, Recreation has pursued an aggressive timeline to bring new
athletic fields online at Old Harrington/Maple St as close as possible to the time of the anticipated
loss of fields at the Center Recreation Complex.
7
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT'
The original intent for this project was to follow what has become something of a standard two-
step procedure for recreation -related projects: 1) bring an appropriation request to Town Meeting
to fund the development of a project design and 2) bring an appropriation request to Town Meeting
to fiend the construction of the project design created in step 1.
We are now pursuing a 3 -step process for this project: 1) seek appropriation for project design
(completed; 2024 STM), 2) seek appropriation to complete construction documents (pending;
2025 ATM), 3) seek appropriation for construction costs (2026 ATM). Following is a brief
description of each step including how the project plan evolved from a 2 -step to a 3 -step process.
Step 1 — Project Design Funding: The first step, development of a project design, began at 2024
STM with the approval of Recreation's request for an appropriation to develop the project design.
At the time of the submission of this report, the design process is ongoing and includes evaluation
of natural grass, artificial turf, and hybrid options for field construction and consideration of the
installation of athletic lighting. The design process involves soliciting input and feedback from
user groups, such as the Lexington Public Schools and our community athletics programs, Town
departments, boards, and committees, and from the community at large. To this end, one project -
specific public meeting was held on March 11, 2025, and a second will occur in late March/early
April. As of the writing of this report, the Recreation Committee intends to vote on a final project
design at its April 8, 2025 meeting to be presented to 2025 Annual Town Meeting as part of Step
2 (see below).
Step 2 — Construction Document Funding: Our original intention in the fall of 2024, consistent
with prior practice for recreation capital projects, was to seek combined design and construction
fundings in a single step at 2025 ATM. During the Town budgeting process in the fall of 2024, the
original appropriation request that was proposed for FY2026 was for a total of $6,180,000
($4,180,000 from Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds and $2,000,000 from the General
Fund/tax levy). This appropriation request was proposed because although the final project design
ivouldn't be knoivn until the spring 2025, the request was sufficient to cover the entirety of the
highest potential construction costs that would arise if the final project design was for artificial turf
fields with lights and was made with the understanding that if the design process yielded a lower
cost option, any excess appropriated funds would simply be returned to their source. Consistent
with past practice, e.g. Lincoln Field playing surface replacement projects, the $2,000,000
appropriation requested from general fund/tax levy represented the estimated costs of artificial turf
that would not be fundable by CPA, again to be available if the selected design included it.
However, in the course of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC)'s fall 2024 fund
allocation deliberation process, it became clear that a majority of the CPC supported a distribution
of available CPA funds that would result in insufficient funds to support the Recreation
appropriation request for $4,180,000. Consequently, the Recreation Committee voted to reduce
the request for CPA funds for the Old Harrington Athletic Field project from $4,180,000 to
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
$1,197,904, an amount equal to the available CPA funds, which was subsequently approved by
the CPC.
Additionally, as mentioned above, per prior practice the Town only appropriates from the General
Fund for recreation -related capital projects if it is necessary to cover the costs of artificial turf
materials that are ineligible for CPA funding. Therefore, the current appropriation request of
$2,000,000 from the General Fund will be spent only if the final project design is for artificial turf
fields.
In light of the limited CPA funding available for this project, it was no longer possible to pursue
the 2 -step process that has been something of the norm for recreation -related capital projects. As
a result, we are now pursuing the funding for the project in a 3 -step process, ivith this 2025 ATM
Article IOh comprising Step 2, an appropriation for the completion of construction documents.
Step 3 — Construction Funding: If 2025 ATM passes Article 10h, the construction document
process will be completed during calendar year 2025, and Recreation will seek to bring to 2026
ATM an appropriation request for the construction costs to complete the project.
If the funding process proceeds as outlined above, Recreation estimates the following project
timeline:
• 2026 ATM: appropriation request for construction funding; if approved:
• 2026 spring/early summer: project out to bid
• 2026 fall/early winter: project starts
• 2027 fall: project complete and fields open (IF artificial turf)
• 2028 spring: project complete and fields open (IF grass)
E
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
ARTICLE 101: LINCOLN PARK FIELD #3 REPLACEMENT
The Recreation Committee, in collaboration with the Recreation and Community Programs
Department, requests an appropriation of $1,950,000 in FY2026 ($860,000 from Community
Preservation Act (CPA) funds and $1,090,000 from the General Fund) to conduct an end -of -life
synthetic turf replacement and reconstruction of Lincoln Park Field #3. This split funding approach
has been reviewed and approved by Town Finance and Town Counsel and has been used to
successfully complete prior synthetic turf field projects in Lexington.
Lincoln Park Field #3 was last renovated in 2016 with an estimated lifespan of 8-10 years, and this
end -of -life replacement project has been on the Recreation 5 -year Capital Plan since 2021.Of note,
this project represents the culmination of this three year end -of -life replacement cycle.
The project includes a professional evaluation to determine whether any of the subsurface/base
can be reused or if a full replacement is required to ensure the safe function of the field. The project
scope includes the removal of the existing surface turf "carpet," laser grading of the subsurface,
inspection and repair (as needed) of the drainage system, installation of a new shock pad,
replacement/recycling of the infill material, replacement of the surface turf, replacement of the
wooden anchors with concrete and edging around the immediate field perimeter, and restoration
of the walkways and surrounding areas of the field.
In early 2023, Recreation convened the "Athletic Playing Surface Working Group" to evaluate the
pros and cons of various field material options and to identify opportunities to reduce or eliminate
the use of undesirable components of athletic fields. The Working Group comprises professional
town staff from the Recreation and Community Programs, Health, Sustainability, Conservation,
and Public Works Departments and representatives from the Board of Health, Sustainable
Lexington Committee, and Recreation Committee. The ongoing effort of the Working Group has
resulted in the adoption of pine -based infill material instead of crumb rubber, careful evaluation
and testing of the surface carpet materials, and continued improvement in the reuse of removed
materials and ensuring that artificial materials that can't be reused are not incinerated. This
approach has been followed for Field #1 and Field 42 and will also be followed for Field 43.
The $1,950,000 appropriation request comprises the following estimated components:
Design and Engineering $89,500
Project Management $51,500
Construction $1,644,000
Equipment $0
Contingency $165,000
Total S1,950,000
CPA Fund $860,000
General Fund $1,090,000
10
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
ARTICLE 11: PINE MEADOWS GOLF COURSE -
EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
The Recreation Committee, in collaboration with the Recreation and Community Programs
Department, requests an appropriation of $70,000 in FY2025 from the Recreation Enterprise
Fund as part of the ongoing Pine Meadows Golf Course Grounds Equipment Capital Program. The
appropriation will be used to purchase a greens mower and a utility vehicle to replace the existing
machines that were bought in 2009 and 2006 with a 10 and 13 year expected lifespan, respectively.
Prior to each end -of -life equipment replacement, we collaborate with the Department of Public
Works to evaluate the potential for replacing grounds maintenance equipment with electric -
powered options. At this time, there are not feasible electric alternatives for these pieces of
equipment.
11
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL. PROJECTS REPORT
ARTICLE 12K: LINCOLN PARK PARKING LOT DESIGN
The Recreation Committee, in collaboration with the Recreation and Community Programs
Department and the Department of Public Works, requests an appropriation of $375,000 for the
design and engineering (D&E) services for the reconstruction of parking lot at Lincoln Park.
Parking and traffic flow at the Lincoln Park parking lot has been problematic for many years due
to the size of the spaces and the organization of the entry and exit points. The Transportation
Safety Group (TSG) has assessed the parking lot and agrees that improvements are needed to
improve the flow of traffic and reduce safety concerns for park users. The components of the park
including the five athletic fields, the community playground, and the fitness stations and nature
paths are heavily used year round, from dawn to dusk, and in the evenings with athletic lighting.
The project goals will also include the design of a safe multi -use path out to Lincoln Street, which
was a need highlighted in the Town -wide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan of 2024.
12
2025 RECREATION COTVINIITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
FY2026 - FY2030 RECREATION CAPITAL PROJECTS SUMMARY TABLE'
Capital Program
FY2026
FY2027
FY2028
FY2029
FY2030
Pine Meadows GC Grounds Maintenance'
$0
$130,0003
$89,0004
$105,0005
$0
Pine Meadows GC Grounds Equipment'
$70,0006
$30,000'
$0
$80,000$
$0
Playgrounds
$0
$0
$0
Center Playground
$1,490,000
Lincoln Park Playground'
$1,465,000
TBD
Athletic Fields"
Lincoln Park Field #3
$1,950,00011
Old Harrington Fields 12
$3,197,90413
$TBD
Lincoln Park Softball Field
$350,000
Garfield Field
$250,000
Sutherland Field
$350,000
Franklin Field
$350,000
Center Rec Complex — Center Track Field
$1,200,000
Center Rec Complex - Track
$390,000
Hard Courts
$0
$0
$0
$0
Pickleball14
$2,025,000
Aquatics
$0
$0
Old Reservoir
$125,000
Mabee Town Pool
$50,00015
Parks and Park Environs
$0
Lincoln Park Boardwalks
$830,000
Lincoln Park Parking Lot16
$375,000
TBD
Park Amenities"
$50,000
$50,000
I'S 0 FE: Project timing subject to the availability of funds. Project costs are estimates.
'Pine Meadows GC Grounds Maintenance and Grounds Equipment capital expenses are typically funded from the Recreation Enterprise Fund.
32°d green & bunker/3" airway 4practice green/ I" tee 53" hole bunker & irrigation
6greens mower & utility cart 'greens aerator & sprayer 'triflex mower
9 project timing dependent on coordination with the Lincoln Park Parking Lot project
10All Athletic Fields capital projects shown are end -of -life replacements/renovations with the exception of the Old Harrington Fields project.
13
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
� � S 1,235,000 CPA Fund - S715,000 General Fund
12 Old Harrington Athletic Fields project dependent on DPF project to demolish Old Harrington building (Article 16e)
13Decreased from original S6,180,000 request to cover D&E and maximal construction costs as a result of CPA funding shortfall.
"Recreation would like to meet the high community demand for dedicated pickleball courts, but no site has been identified for new court construction.
"Lockers and security renovation.
16Replacement of the parking lot at Lincoln Park is a collaboration with DPW and DPF.
"Funding to cover the cost of the end -of -life repair/replacement of park amenities such as benches, fencing, water fountains, etc.
14
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL. PROJECTS REPORT
FY2026-FY2030 RECREATION CAPITAL PROJECTS SUMMARY LIST
NB: Project timing subject to availability of funds. Project costs are estimates.
FY2026
• Center Recreation Complex playground replacement: $1,490,000
• Lincoln Park Field #3 replacement: $1,950,000
• Lincoln Park Parking Lot (*with DPW) Design and Engineering: $375,000
• Old Harrington Athletics Fields: $3,197,904
• Pine Meadows GC replacement of equipment: $70,000 (Rec EF)
FY2027
• Old Harrington Athletic Fields construction: TBD
• Lincoln Park playground replacement: est $1,465,000
• Lincoln Park boardwalk system replacement: est $830,000
• Lincoln Park softball field renovation: est $350,000
• Lincoln Park parking lot construction (*with DPW): TBD
• Pine Meadows GC replacement of equipment: est $30,000 (Rec EF)
• Pine Meadows GC course renovations: est $130,000 (Rec EF)
FY2028
• Athletic Fields — Garfield field renovation: est $250,000
• Aquatics — Old Reservoir dredging: est $125,000
• Site amenities: $50,000
• Pine Meadows GC course renovations: est $89,000 (Rec EF)
FY2029
• Athletic Fields — Sutherland field renovation: est $350,000
• Pine Meadows GC replacement of equipment: est $80,000 (Rec EF)
• Pine Meadows GC course renovations: est $105,000 (Rec EF)
FY2030
• Center Rec Complex center track field replacement: est $1,200,000
• Center Rec Complex track resurfacing: est $390,000
• Athletic Fields — Franklin field renovation: est $350,000
• Aquatics — Mabee Pool lockers and security system: est $50,000
• Hardcourts — pickleball court construction: est $2,025,000 (*site not yet identified)
• Site Amenities: est $50,000
15
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
RECREATION CAPITAL PROJECT UPDATES
Y2025 APPROPRIATION UPDATES
Athletic Fields — Bowman Field End -of -life Reconstruction
• 2024 ATM Article 10c
• FY2025 Appropriation: $545,000
• Funding Source: CPA
• Current Status: Project out to bid
• Target Project Start: TBD
• Target Project Completion: TBD
• Project Lifespan Upon Completion: 12-15 years
The 2024 Annual Town Meeting appropriated $545,000 of FY2025 Community Preservation Act
(CPA) funds for the reconstruction of Bowman Field as part of the ongoing Athletic Fields Capital
Program.
The field was last renovated in 2008 with an expected lifecycle of approximately 15 years. Over
that time, the field has experienced the normal deterioration associated with use exacerbated by
poor drainage at the site. Currently, the home plate area is higher than the pitcher mound, the
backstop and player areas are deficient, large portions of the field are frequently unplayable as the
result of standing water, ADA compliant access is poor, and the current lack of irrigation precludes
adequate maintenance of the natural grass surface.
This project comprises complete reconstruction of the field including laser grading and drainage
improvement, installation of a new irrigation system and new natural grass, and replacement of
the backstop, signage, and benches. Additionally, the project will improve the accessibility of the
site in accordance with the Recreation Facilities and ADA Compliance Study (2017)1 and in
collaboration with the Commission on Disabilities. The project will also include improvements in
the access to the Dunback Meadow Conservation Area in collaboration with the Conservation
Department and Commission.
https://ww�,v.lexingtonma.gov/DocumentCenterNiew/5182/Comprehensive-Study-of-Athletic-and-Outdoor-
Recreation-Facilities-2021-2022---Final-Report?bidId=
16
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
Lincoln Park —Fitness Stations
• 2024 ATM Article IOd
• FY2025 Appropriation: $160,000
• Funding Source: CPA
• Current Status: Design phase.
• Target Project Start: TBD
• Target Project Completion: 2025
• Project Lifespan Upon Completion: 15-20 years
The 2024 Annual Town Meeting appropriated $160,000 in FY2025 from Community Preservation
Act (CPA) funds to replace the exercise equipment comprising the fifteen fitness stations along
the Teresa and Roberta Lee Fitness/Nature Path at Lincoln Park.
This project will replace the equipment with modern equivalents with an expected life cycle of 20
years. The replacement exercise equipment will be similar in nature to what is installed outside the
Community Center and will be specifically chosen to be fulfilling for residents of wide ranging
abilities. The completion of this project will provide a notable increase in the outdoor, "free play",
fitness opportunities for residents that may not derive benefit from other athletic resources.
The $160,000 appropriation request to complete this project was based on cost estimates provided
in August 2023 by vendors for updated, in-kind, replacement of existing equipment.
17
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
Hard Courts — Valley Courts End -of -Life Reconstruction
• 2024 ATM Article l0e
• FY2025 Appropriation: $492,000
• Funding Source: CPA
• Current Status: Project out to bid
• Target Project Start: Spring 2025
• Target Project Completion: Summer 2025
• Project Lifespan Upon Completion: 10-15 years
The 2024 Annual Town Meeting appropriated $492,000 in FY2025 from Community Preservation
Act (CPA) funds to reconstruct the Valley Courts. The Valley Courts is a dual use facility that is
lined to provide use as 2 regulation tennis courts or 4 pickleball courts in accordance with dual
sport lining guidelines of the United States Tennis Association (LISTA).
The asphalt base layer of the Valley Courts was constructed in 2008 with an estimated lifespan of
approximately 10-15 years. In 2021, the courts were resurfaced to address superficial cracking
with an estimated lifespan of 3-5 years. In 2023, the annual safety inspection revealed additional
surface cracking, and it was subsequently determined that the base asphalt substrate (c.2008) had
reached its end -of -life.
The original replacement project design called for installation of post -tension concrete courts,
expanded parking (from 4 spaces to 7), and the addition of an on-site storage shed. However, site
consultation with the Conservation Department revealed the need for a stormwater management
system, which resulted in project cost estimates that were more than $250,000 over the
appropriated funds.
After discussion with the Recreation and Community Programs Dept staff and the project architect,
in recognition of the likelihood that post -tension concrete construction bids will come in well over
budget, the Recreation Committee voted unanimously to send the project out to bid for post -tension
concrete but with the inclusion of asphalt construction and parking as alternate options with the
intent to pursue asphalt reconstruction if that represents the in budget option.
18
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
Lincoln Park — Field #2 Reconstruction
• 2024 ATM Article IOe
• FY2025 Appropriation: $1,810,000
• Funding Source: CPA ($492,000) and General Fund ($665,000)
• Current Status: Out to bid
• Target Project Start: June 2025 (at conclusion of LHS Athletics spring season)
• Target Project Completion: September 2025
• Project Lifespan Upon Completion: 8-10 years
The 2024 Annual Town Meeting appropriated $1,810,000 in FY2025 from CPA funds
($1,145,000) and from the General Fund ($665,000) to conduct an end -of -life replacement of the
synthetic turf system at Lincoln Park Field #2.
Lincoln Park Field #2 was last renovated in 2015 with an estimated lifespan of 10 years, and the
project has been on the Recreation 5 -year Capital Plan since 2021. This project represents the
second year of the three year end -of -life replacement cycle for the Lincoln Park Athletic Fields;
Field #1 2024, Field #2 2025, Field #3 targeted for 2026.
In 2023, the Recreation Committee and Recreation and Community Programs Department
convened the Field Surfaces Working Group (FSWG) to evaluate the pros and cons of various
field material options and provide advice to Recreation on opportunities to address community
member concerns about the materials used in artificial turf fields while continuing to meet user
group needs and the athletic field demands in the Town. The FSWG comprises professional town
staff from Recreation and Community Programs, Health, Sustainability, Conservation, and Public
Works as well as representatives from the Board of Health, Sustainable Lexington Committee, and
Recreation Committee. The work of the FSWG contributed to improvements in the Field #1
replacement project and has continued to inform the bid specifications for the Field #2 project
including:
• the use of pine -based infill material instead of crumb rubber;
• improved bid specifications for the surface carpet materials including expanded testing for
organofluorine compounds;
• improved bid specifications for the disposition of materials removed during the renovation
including assurance that such materials are not incinerated.
19
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
Pine Meadows Golf Club Grounds Maintenance — Fuel Area Reconstruction
• 2024 ATM Article 11
• FY2025 Appropriation: $110,000
• Funding Source: Recreation Enterprise Fund
• Current Status: Completed August 2024.
The 2024 Annual Town Meeting appropriated $110,000 from the Recreation Enterprise Fund for
the reconstruction/replacement of the fueling area used for the grounds maintenance equipment
and renovation of the practice area. The `'fuel bays" are located in proximity to the clubhouse and
parking lot and provide a safe and secure diesel and gasoline storage and refueling area. The fuel
bays were last replaced in 2002 and deteriorated through 20+ years of regular usage and weathering
and need to be replaced. In keeping with the goals of the Town Meeting Climate Emergency
Resolution (STM 2020-2), we explored the potential to eliminate the need for such fuel bays by
moving to electric powered grounds maintenance equipment, but at this time there are not viable
electric alternatives for these types of specialized commercial -grade mowing and maintenance
equipment. Recreation will continue to collaborate with the Department of Public Works to
evaluate alternative equipment as it comes to market. Of note, the golf carts at the course are
electric; the fuel bays are for the grounds maintenance equipment only.
20
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL, PROJECTS REPORT
FY2024 APPROPRIATION UPDATES
Lincoln Park — Field #1 Renovation and Field #1 & #3 Athletic Lighting Installation
• FY2024 Appropriation: $3,391,500 [2023 ATM Article l0i]
• Funding Source: CPA ($2,475,000) and cash capital/tax levy ($916,500)
• Current Status: Completed
• Project Start: June 2024
• Project Completion: November 2024 (punch list completion Spring 2025)
• Estimated Lifespan — Field #1: 8-10 years
• Estimated Lifespan — Athletic Lights: 15-20 years
End -of -life renovation of Field 41 and installation of athletic lighting at Field #1 and Field #3.
Athletic Fields — Bridge Field End -of -Life Renovation
• FY2024 Appropriation: $285,000 [2023 ATM Article 10j]
• Funding Source: CPA
• Current Status: design phase (delayed by COVID backlog)
• Target Project Start: June 2025
• Target Project Completion: Fall 2025
• Project Lifespan: 10-15 years
End -of -life renovation of the field including laser site grading, repair/modernization of the
irrigation system, installation of new natural grass, installation of new backstops, benches,
and signage, and ADA compliance upgrades to improve accessibility.
Playgrounds — Justin Park Playground End -of -Life Replacement
• FY2024 Appropriation: $155,000 [2023 ATM Article l0k]
• Funds Source: CPA
• Current Status: Project canceled, and CPA funding returned. Playground will be phased out.
The Justin Park playground was installed in 2003 with an estimated lifespan of 15-20 years
and consists of play elements for children 2-5 years old. During the project design process,
consultation with the Conservation Department and Conservation Commission revealed
project challenges associated with the site's proximity to/location in wetlands zones, and
resident engagement in neighborhood design input meetings was relatively sparse. In light of
these factors, as well as the relative proximity of the location to two other neighborhood
parks (Marvin, Kineens) and Recreation's recognition of the strain being placed upon CPA
funding in Lexington, the Recreation Committee agreed with the recommendation of the
21
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTs REPORT
Recreation and Community Programs Department and voted to cancel the project and return
the appropriation to the CPA fund. The existing playground equipment will be monitored
closely for safety and will be removed without replacement as it reaches end -of -life, and the
playground will be phased out. The Recreation and Community Programs staff and
Recreation Committee will continue to engage with community stakeholders to evaluate
potential future recreational uses for this site.
Pine Meadows Golf Course Clubhouse Renovation — Design & Engineering Documents
• FY2024 Appropriation: $120,000 [2023 ATM Article 16g]
• Funds Source: free cash/cash capital
• Current Status: Completed
Funding for solar study and design and engineering documents was appropriated at 2022
ATM and 2023 ATM, and those project elements were completed in 2024.
Construction funding ($2,575,000) was sought by the Department of Public Facilities and
approved at 2024 Annual Town Meeting (Article 25). The project went out to bid in
November 2024 and construction is anticipated to being early in 2025 with target completion
of late 2025. Addition information can be found at: https://lexin onma.Rov/1971/Pine-
Meadows
Pine Meadows Golf Course — Grounds Maintenance
• FY2024 Appropriation: $124,000 [2023 ATM Article 11]
• Funds Source: Recreation Enterprise Fund
• Current Status: Active
• Project Start: 2024
• Project Completion: cart paths completed
• Project Lifespan: 15-20 years
This project comprises the renovation of the cart paths at the 7" and 8' holes and the
practice area.
Pine Meadows Golf Course — Grounds Equipment
• FY2024 Appropriation: $110,000 [2023 ATM Article 11 ]
• Funds Source: Recreation Enterprise Fund
• Current Status: ordered awaiting delivery
• Project Start: late 2023
• Project Completion: pending (delivery can take 1-2 years)
22
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
• Equipment Lifespan: 15-20 years
This appropriation for the purchase of a Toro Groundmaster rough mower, a Turfco
topdresser, and a tow behind turbine blower was part of the ongoing Pine Meadows Grounds
Equipment Replacement Plan.
Aquatics — Mabee Town Pool Water Chemistry Controller
• FY2024 Appropriation: $35,000 [2023 ATM Article 11]
• Funds Source: Cash Capital
• Current Status: Completed
• Project Start: September 2023
• Project Completion: October 2023
• Project Lifespan: 20 years
23
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
FY2023 APPROPRIATION UPDATES
Center Recreation Complex — Bathroom/DPW Building Renovation
• FY2023 Appropriation: $400,000 [2022 STM Article 5]
FY2023 Appropriation: $680,000 [2022 ATM Article l0e]
FY2022 Appropriation: $915,000 [2021 ATMArticle 16g —indefinitely postponed]
• Current Status: Completed
• Project Start: March 2023
• Project Completion: November 2023
• Project Lifespan: 20+ years
The original request for funding of $915,000 for the project was indefinitely postponed by the
2022 Annual Town Meeting. A request for $680,000 of funding for a scaled-down project
was approved by the 2023 Annual Town Meeting. A request for $400,000 in supplementary
funding to pursue the project after all public bids came in over the original appropriation was
approved at the 2023 Special Town Meeting. The revised project was completed in November
2023.
Hard Courts — Farias and Gallagher Courts End -of -Life Reconstruction
• FY2023 Appropriation: $2,500,000 [2022 STM Article l0f]
• Current Status: Completed
• Project Start: Summer 2023
• Project Completion: Spring 2024
• Project Lifespan: 10-15 years for Farias Courts; 20+ years for Gallagher Courts
Playgrounds — Kinneens Park Playground End -of -Life Replacement
• FY2023 Appropriation: $200,000 [2022 ATM Article 10g]
• Funds Source: CPA
• Current Status: Completed
• Project Start: October 2023
• Project Completion: November 2023
• Project Lifespan: 15-20 years
24
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
Athletic Fields — Fiske Field End -of -Life Renovation
• FY2023 Appropriation: $250,000 [2022 ATM Article 10h]
• Funds Source: CPA
• Current Status: Active
• Project Start: October 2024
• Project Completion: Spring 2025 (prior to Little League season)
• Project Lifespan: 10-15 years
This appropriation was for the complete end -of -life renovation of the field including laser site
grading, repair/modernization of the irrigation system, installation of new natural grass,
installation of new backstops, benches, and signage, and ADA compliance upgrades to
improve accessibility.
Lincoln Park — Master Plan
• FY2023 Appropriation: $100,000 [2022 ATM Article 10i]
• Funds Source: CPA
• Current Status: Completed
• Project Start: January 2023
• Project Completion: September 2024
• Project Lifespan: 20 years
The Lincoln Park Master Plan as prepared by Activitas, LLC can be found here:
https://lexingtonma. gov/DocumentCenterNiew/ 12911 /Lincoln -Park -Master -Plan -Oct -
'7%; ATA -
Pine Meadows Golf Course — Grounds Maintenance
• FY2023 Appropriation: $95,000 [2022 ATM Article 11 ]
• Funds Source: Recreation Enterprise Fund
• Current Status: Completed
• Project Start: 2022
• Project Completion: 2023
• Project Lifespan: 15-20 years
This appropriation was for several grounds maintenance projects to maintain the quality of
the course including: bunkers (2" a 7th 8t" and 9th holes), tees (8th and 9th holes), and cart paths
(5th hole).
25
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
Aquatics — Mabee Town Pool Water Heater
• FY2023 Appropriation: $60,000 [2022 STM Article 10]
• FY2023 Appropriation: $31,000 [2022 ATM Article 16h]
• Funds Source: Recreation Enterprise Fund
• Current Status: Completed
• Project Start: April 2023
• Project Completion: May 2023
• Project Lifespan: 10+ years.
There were two FY2023 appropriations made for this project. First, $31,000 was appropriated
at 2022 ATM to fund an engineering study of the use of solar energy to power a new water
heater. Second, $60,000 was appropriated at 2022 STM to purchase and install a solar
powered water heater system.
26
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
FY2022 APPROPRIATION UPDATES
Community Center Sidewalk and Patio Installation
• FY2022 Appropriation: $110,000 [2021 ATM Article 10a]
• Funds Source: CPA
• Current Status: Completed
• Project Start: May 2022
• Project Completion: May 2022
• Project Lifespan: 15-20 years
Playgrounds — Rindge Park End -of -Life Playground Replacement
• FY2022 Appropriation: $170,000 [2021 ATM Article 10b]
• Funds Source: CPA
• Current Status: Playground completed. ADA improvements pending.
• Project Start: April 2022
• Project Completion: June 2022 (playground). ADA target: TBD
• Project Lifespan: 15-20 years
This appropriation was for the end -of -life replacement of the playground at Rindge Park and
improvements to site accessibility. The ADA improvements have not yet been completed as
efforts are underway to "bundle" the ADA improvements that are associated with multiple
recent/pending capital projects, e.g., Valley, Rindge, Fiske, Harrington, Bowman, and
Bridge, to accrue cost benefits associated with sending a larger single project out to bid.
Athletic Fields — Muzzey Field End -of -Life Renovation
• FY2022 Appropriation: $155,000 [2021 ATM Article 10c]
• Funds Source: CPA
• Current Status: Completed
• Project Start: April 2024
• Project Completion: June 2024
• Project Lifespan: 10-15 years
This appropriation was for the complete end -of -life renovation of the field including laser site
grading, repair/modernization of the irrigation system, and installation of new natural grass
field.
27
2025 RECREATION COMMITTEE CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT
Pine Meadows Golf Course — Grounds Maintenance: 1St/2"d Fairway Drainage D&E
• FY2022 Appropriation: $25,000 [2021 ATM Article 11]
• Funds Source: Recreation Enterprise Fund
• Current Status: D&E completed. Project on hold.
• Project Lifespan: n/a
This appropriation was for the production of design and engineering documents for a project
to improve drainage along the 1St and 2nd fairways. The D&E was completed, but the project
is on hold as the result of concerns of the Conservation Commission.
Pine Meadows Golf Course — Grounds Equipment
• FY2022 Appropriation: $62,000 [2021 ATM Article 11 ]
• Funds Source: Recreation Enterprise Fund
• Current Status: Completed
• Project Completion: Received 2023
• Equipment Lifespan: 10 years
This appropriation for the purchase of a Toro fairway mower was part of the ongoing Pine
Meadows Grounds Equipment Replacement Plan.
28
Adams Field
Bowman Field
Bridge Field
Center Track -track
Center Track Field - field
Center Track Field - lights
Center Field 1(Var Softball) - field
Center Field 2 (Var Baseball) - field
Center Fields 1&2 - lights
Clarke Field
Crumb Field
Diamond Field
Estabrook Field
Fiske Field
Fitzgerald Field
Franklin Field
Garfield Field
Harrington Field (existing)
Harrington Field 1(proposed)
Harrington Field 2 (proposed)
Harrington 1&2- lights (proposed)
Hastings Field
1V Baseball Field
Lincoln Park Field 1- field
Lincoln Park Field 1- lights
Lincoln Park Field 2 - field
Lincoln Park Field 2 - lights
Lincoln Park Field 3 -field
Lincoln Park Field 3- tights
Lincoln Park Softball Field
Lincoln Park Little League
Muzzey Field
Sutherland Field
Worthen Road Field
Calendar Year
2
2
estimated min life ®estimated max life
_estimated replacement
2024
8-10 yrs
^20+yrs
replacement TED pendingother project disposition
funded replacement project
Last Major
Renovation
Estimated
Lifespan
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4
2024
2016
-20+yrs
10-15
5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5
2015
10-15
2
2
2
yrs
0
0
0
0
0
0
2025
10-15 yrs
0
0
0
0
0
0
2025
10-15 yrs
0
0
2018
10-12
2
2
2
yrs
2
3
2018
8-10 yrs
3
3
3
1=25yrs
3
3
2020
4
4
4
2010
10-15 yrs
4
5
2010
10-15 yrs
8
9
0
1
2
3
2019
>=20yrs
6
7
8
9
0
1
2014
10-15 yrs
4
5
2011
10-15yrs
2020
10-15 yrs
2015
10-15 yrs
2025
10-15yrs
10-15 yrs
2011
10-15 yrs
2
2
2011
2024
10-15 yrs
2024
8-10 yrs
^20+yrs
2025
2
2
8-10yrs
2017
2015
-20+ yrs
8-10yrs
2024
2016
-20+yrs
10-15
2021
yrs
10-15yrs
2013
10-15 yrs
10-I5 yrs
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Recreation Committee Update: March 2025
Update and review of 2024 LFM use of Worthen Road Practice Field
The weekly Lexington Farmers' Market at the Worthen Road Practice Field continues to be a
successful partnership, with feedback from customers, farmers and vendors and LFM staff
positive and consistent with the previous years of Worthen Road Practice Field use. Specific
feedback focused on ease of parking, an enjoyment of the open and beautiful space, and the
community feel and positive "vibe" that the site gives as part of the Center Recreation
Complex. There are concerns about the instability of the entrance surface, the distance to
walk from parking and the single entrance, and ongoing discussions with the Commission on
Disability on how to make the site more accessible.
LFM leadership continued to rely on strong partnerships with town departments to navigate
challenges that arose. We are extremely grateful to the Recreation Committee, Department of
Public Works and Town Manager's office for their support and assistance in making this a
successful year at Worthen Road.
Following are specifics related to the use of Worthen Road Practice Field:
Town assistance for market site:
• The DPW installed barricades around the market site for the full season which were
essential in creating a safe market environment with a single entrance and exit off the
access road.
• This practice allows LFM staff and volunteers to monitor the field in order to ensure
appropriate use and enforce rules and regulations, including no dogs allowed on site.
The barriers also create a more secure work environment for the farmers and vendors
with tents that back up to Worthen Road.
• Trash and recycling pickup and additional safety cones were provided by the DPW and
compost was picked up on Thursdays by market partner Black Earth Compost. Garbage
pickup by the town was inconsistent, leading to bins with garbage and rainwater
accumulating. We worked with DPW to ensure more consistent emptying of garbage
bins by the town.
Field Conditions:
• In comparison to 2023, it was a hot and dry market season, with multiple days over 90
in mid summer. This did create dusty conditions at times and challenging with wind.
• The field surface was impacted by the track and field cage, with divots left on the field.
We worked with the DPW and James Hall to ensure that there were dedicated field
checks and filling of divots before the Tuesday market, but still had to fill a fair amount
on our own on occasion.
• As has occurred annually, the market entrance was worn down by the end of the season.
LFM staff used temporary measures to keep customers away from unstable ground,
including marking off areas and moving the customer entrance closer to Worthen Road
for a safe pedestrian entry.
• LFM management worked with the DPW to find workable solutions to protect the field
surface and entrance area.
• To minimize damage, farmers and vendors were required to abide by a 5 mph maximum
speed limit while on the field.
• On average, 10 - 14 essential vehicles remained on site during market hours, including
farmers/vendors who required in -truck storage needs, generators for cooling products
per BOH requirements, and vendors with mobility or ADA needs.
Inclement weather:
• The LFM worked closely with the Lexington DPW to monitor weather and adapt field use
in the case of inclement weather. The drainage on the field is generally very good, with
only extreme rain conditions making the field boggy. We continue to emphasize the
importance of keeping the market open for the 24+ small farms and businesses that rely
on the LFM for their livelihood, and the variability of weather reports 24 hours before
the market.
• We continue to emphasize timely and effective communication on weather and field
conditions, including shifting setup location on the field; this includes LFM input onsite
to assess conditions Tuesday am.
• We were grateful to not have to shift the market to an alternate location in 2024 due to
emergent weather or dangerous field conditions. Thank you to Melissa Battite for her
continued assistance in devising alternate plans for market relocation if necessary.
• The LFM will continue to work with Town departments and the DPW should the market
need to be relocated to LHS parking lot in summer and pool parking lot in September
and October. Note that LFM board and staff make every effort to come up with
mitigating strategies to avoid relocating the market on Tuesdays, as it limits farmer
vendor participation and negatively impacts customer attendance.
General Parking:
• Customers parked on Worthen Road and surrounding public parking areas.
Farmers/vendors also used the parking lot by the Little League field on Park Drive.
• With support from the Lexington Police Department and dedicated signage, the LFM
offers senior, ADA, and standard customer parking. This included three
marked ADA spots near the center playground by the back of the football field and two
new ADA spots on Worthen Road near the access road entrance.
• LHS students driving to school were receptive on market days, and respected the posted
signage reserving spots for LFM customers.
Customer Access:
• Response to concerns over ADA access for those with mobility issues continue to be
under the management of the DPW, Commission on Disability and the Conservation
Commission. Concerns expressed by customers and members of the Commission on
Disability include the distance to walk from parking to the market, an unstable market
surface, the distance from the ADA spots by the playground to the market site, and the
curb cut on Worthen Road to the access road limiting wheelchairs.
Recreation Committee Request:
2025 Special Event Permit for LFM use of Worthen Road Practice Field
Calendar and Dates of Operation
May 27 - October 28, 2 pm - 6:30 pm; market closes at 6 pm in October.
Set up will begin at approximately 11:15 - noon and the market site will be cleared by 7:30 pm.
November 25 (Thanksgiving FEASTival). 12-4 pm. Set up will begin at 10 am and the market site
will be cleared by 5 pm.
On market days, LFM staff will remain onsite until all farmers and vendors have left.
Signage:
Two banners, 8 ft. x 5 feet to be hung on the fence abutting Crumb Football Field and facing
Worthen Road. Double Banner 8x3 with Food Assistance Logos.pdf
One small 5x3 foot banner to be hung on storage shed during summer market season and
during winter market season January - April.
Fees:
REQUEST that fees for site use are waived as has been the practice since 2021.
Bathrooms (required to provide restroom access for formers/vendors)
• Access to restrooms by playground through November 25, 2025 Thanksgiving FEASTival.
Barricades:
• REQUEST that the DPW place yellow barricades along Worthen Road and down the bike
path to the entrance of the market space as in the past. These barricades
o prevent customers from entering the market space during setup when vehicles
are moving on the site
o create a safe entrance space on a level surface
o enable the LFM to enforce BOH and Rec. Comm regulations banning dogs onsite
o provide a security barrier behind farmers and vendors whose tents back up to
Worthen Road (managing market flow and diminishing chance of theft)
o prevents vehicular threats to public safety
• REQUEST that barricades remain around the LHS track and field cage to prevent
customers from entering cage
There is no need for barricades along the woods or backing up to Crumb football field fence.
Entrance:
The LFM will continue to work with the DPW and the Recreation Department to maintain a safe
and accessible entrance for market participants, including a stable surface area for pedestrians.
Farmers and Vendors/Capacity, Tents & Parking:
• Total of —28 tents each market day, including artisans, musicians and community tent
• Tents are weighted and/or staked into the ground for safety in wind
• Vendors drive onsite for easy loading/unloading; based on storage (farms), energy
generation needs (generators) or ADA and mobility needs, a limited number of vendors
keep their vehicles onsite by their tents by previous agreement with Market Manager.
• We estimate that there will be a maximum of 14 vehicles on site per market, and
frequently less. These vehicles will be parked on the perimeter of the market space.
• Those vehicles not remaining on site would park further down Worthen Road or in the
Park Drive parking area by the small baseball field.
Customer Parking:
• Adequate parking is available on Worthen Road, the Center Playground lot and in the
surrounding area. Spots are reserved by traffic cones for market hours put out Monday
evening before market day.
• Following procedures coordinated with the Lexington Police Dept, 2-3 spots will be
reserved closest to the market for senior parking.
Market Storage:
Lexington Farmers' Market will continue to store all of its materials outside of the market hours
in the shed built onsite for this purpose. The only exception will be for any materials provided
by the Department of Public Works, including garbage cans, or any materials used at the
entrance in case of inclement weather.
Garbage/Recycling:
• The LFM will work with DPW re garbage and recycling bin dropoff and timely pickup, and
make arrangements with Black Earth Compost for compost pickup on Thursday.
Inclement Weather:
• LFM staff will consult with the Recreation Committee and the Department of Public
Works as to field conditions in case of extreme weather. The LFM is a rain and shine
market and remains open unless there are safety concerns.
Alcohol Use Policy:
As permitted by the Town of Lexington, the Select Board and the MA Department of Agricultural
Resources, the LFM requests a continuation of the 2021 Alcohol Sales policy at the weekly
farmers' market. There is no consumption on site, including no sampling and no sales to anyone
under 21 years old per state law.
Food Truck:
REQUEST to allow a hummus food truck to participate in the market as in the past four years.
This food truck would attend monthly at the market, making hummus and tabouli bowls onsite
for customers.
• The food vendor is required to have all the appropriate permits from the Lexington
Board of Health and receive approval from the Town Manager's office as well.
• The food truck would be located close to the access road and is approximately 25 feet in
length.
NEW REQUESTS for 2025
REQUEST that as in 2024, the LHS track and field coaches and athletes walk the field in advance
of the Tuesday market to fill in any divots from throwing practice, and create a stable and safe
walking surface for those using the site on Tuesdays.
H
OX
J �
as
�a
`AW Z
J
I=O
LLZ
H _
W J
X �
W
Z
O
V
ti
f;
W
H
}
W
0LL
F
W
Y
U
O
am
Z
Z J
-a
0 c
W
i W
Qw
LL>
o�
w Q
1�-z
zt2
4
a(A
>D
J i -
(A W
Z
w0
Ow
•fem
o
o
.w
A
a�
•?
e�
00
0
S-
:2
bee
0
41 onom
MCL
4
.P
�mee
O
Ln
cbe.
tm
.c
OUND
�.
I-,u�
per'
op.
•c
.�0
a
ASA
.�
be.—
P..
tm
N
w
'
-
.
.
.
3 O u
W
D a tr
o .�
Q
u o
`.I/ t�
.O 0 Z
CL
cl e t'd
O —
uj z 0 S •v
qq<C O p d
'� u
J Z - m
t�f
N
41
CL
�P
V
tv
¢
W
'a
c
S
a
.0
UI
�.
1
ad
1
�Ol
I -
0
J
CL
w
Z
O
no
C•
0
.c
C.
ta
m°
40
0
CL
Em
A
to
13
mm
mm
bm
.
4)
ZI
to
4w
�
O
oO
O
a.,
a
C
�
�
0
v
a,
v
F
. j
�'
u
®
41
�
CL
.P
O
75ton
ur)
O
-c
to
t
u0
N
�
N
0
s
m
0
O
®
u
O
O
,
o
N
U
,o
O
Q)
{
yF
4i�77
M N
_N N -�
O C O N C
J
�-' u ,� O o O - v
- z
O Q-
4-J O 0 O
4-1
Q cin O' N vi S�. 4-1 ?
s
bo
ed
si.
Cid
0
ZIE
1
•
si.
0
0
•
0
' P
y
ff•+4�� � : � 1
,
R
2- 1
72-1
R
1{X yt
a
e
T T
Fill
t A i
x
�
1�.
now
t
E�
h
R
e
t A i
x
�
;�i
sal f•1"
�:_
t
.c'
� 4
4Y
o
S R`
7a
J f
74
dt1 4
i.
yJ.
S
_
E
•
•
Yter.
Aw
LU
i
............................................................•
W's
lips
/a
q
to
OC
_V
M .�►:An
LA
}
LLJ
LA
la'1
Q
N
U
a r„
s
v!
D
O
+=.f= •.......................
LU
i
r
/a
q
to
OC
_V
LA
}
LLJ
LA
la'1
Q
N
U
a r„
s
v!
+=.f= •.......................
N
co
r
/a
q
Ix
uj
LA
}
LLJ
LA
Q
N
U
D
O
3 wQ
d
K
(..,.,,..%
u7
i•�
Q
Z Lij
W
N
J Z
Q O
Z Q.
N
0
o ai
ro
L Q
ai
aj
a �
a,
Ln 0
0
ro ,Y
u u
r6
M r6
12� 0-
0 •
C-
4 -J
0
S--
0 0
cli
4-J
ro
Q
ro
m
or
O
a,
a-
aj
L-
ai
u
ra
0
No
ro X
E O
Ln
to
_
0
r6
0
ul
Ln
Z
w
M
4-J
\
j
0
L-
W
ro
l
ru
L
QJ
fo
I 1
0
c:
r6
0
Ln
-0
clj
ai
r
u
aj
N
0
LL
0
u
R3
s
u
•
0
a,
a,
au
a,
ro
0
4-1
Ln
Ln
aJ
u
L)
ro
0
z
•
a,
u
C -
r6
aJ
ro
E
E
L-
ai ai
I
0
0
J
•
Ln
ro
CU
7;
4-J
Ln
ro
Ln
0)
C-
4 -,p 4-J
C- 0
rU 0 0
a �Q
cu Ln Ln :3-- W ci
i
R
ro
U ai
ai aJ
n
Ln Ln
0
Ln
I �
4-J 0
C- 4-1
ro c
.0;ff
•
C-
ro
u
r
Y
ro
C-
ro
C
M
E
0
L
ai
N
m
W
•
W
N
LL a..
0 G
4!
= cqs N
WW Cep
Z
u3E
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
o O O o O o
o o to o in
N
M N N rl r -I
sanies
0 0 0 0 0 0
o 0 0 0
Ln rn r14 H
sanleA
T
Q)
v
_
Z)
- -------- -
Y
a L
LL
V)
N
N
o4
'^
Ln
���JJJ
v
UL
+
u
o v
E ti°
c a,
E
a
Q) a v
L
v (A
a
�
a
�
Y
Q
a(A
UU
sv��s
u
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
o O O o O o
o o to o in
N
M N N rl r -I
sanies
0 0 0 0 0 0
o 0 0 0
Ln rn r14 H
sanleA
T
v
_
Z)
- -------- -
U- D
O
LL
V)
N
N
o4
'^
Ln
���JJJ
° --
c
Y O
UL
+
u
L
o°
a°
N
o..
mO
ro
U
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
o O O o O o
o o to o in
N
M N N rl r -I
sanies
0 0 0 0 0 0
o 0 0 0
Ln rn r14 H
sanleA
_
Z)
- -------- -
-
a
v
V)
N
o4
'^
Ln
���JJJ
° --
c
Y O
UL
+
u
(0a
c
c
c
v
41
�_ o
o
°-
cn
L
a
O
O
O O O O
O 0
lf1 O to O lIl
O
O
to
O Ln O Lf)
1f1
N O I- Ln N
O
lf1
N
O I- M N
sanIPA
sanlen
L
Ln
N L
Ln
i1
Ol
1N:
®
O
LL
O
LL
O
V
U
;yam
O C
o
O
Ln
41
M
aC7
C
C
U
3
c
Z
J
J
L
E
U ON
ON
O
O
O
co tD d'
O
O O O
rl
r4
O
Ln O Ln
sanleA
`1l
r' -q
sanlen
Z
a
J
L LL
Q1 �
LL
CL
UO J Ln
Z)
I O
C
CC
O O ra
LL Z
4-J .
N •
z i
., 0 z
U
L �J V)
O
° u
J J
c-
0 O O O O O O O O O O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O
O Ln O Ln O u1 Ln d' m N
�y m NN -4r-I san l eA
v sanlen
�—
4,x
O Q)
f6 00 a C oLL
O u
Ln
O
QJu o o
V)
� v �
c� .� z z
Ln 0
>�_ � I
-J J 0 J
z ° _
CD L
O O o O O o O Q O !!1 O lIl O N O
O Ln O Ln O U'f Uf N O Il Uf N O
Ln N O I- L(1 N -1 -4 O O O O
-i ri ri
sanlen sanlen
J �
LL LL
O
� c �
°�-
�, O c Q
o
979
O ) cm �
L-
u n ♦ (D � 0
L I Z �- ED Z
r6 °Ln U
Q * J j J
p �l
V OO O O O O O O O
00 � N oO � OO O
ln
sanlen N -4 -4
sanlen
� ��_x
ee
Lexington
RCCUATION & COMMUNITY
Town of Lexington
Recreation and Community Programs
Melissa Battite, CPRP Tel: 781-698-4800
Director of Recreation and Community Programs Fax: 781-861-2747
Recreation & Community Programs
March 2025 Report
Save the Dates & FYI
• Monday, March 24th — Annual Town Meeting will begin. Town Meeting prep (article speeches,
presentation slides, and supporting documents) is ongoing.
Thursday, April 17th— Monday, April 21St— Lex250
Saturday, May 3rd — Lexington Little League Opening Day Parade
Saturday, May 24th — Discovery Day
LHS Building Project
• LHS Building Project Forum #10 is scheduled for Wednesday, March 191h at 6:30pm.
Celebrations
• Charlie Schroeder successfully passed the Certification Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP)
exam on February 28th. A total of seven staff members now have the CPRP certification.
• The department was awarded the Million Coaches Challenge grant, which will provide free
training from the US Soccer Foundation to youth sports coaches in 2025. Lexington was one of
fifty-two receipients, and one of two from Massachusetts.
• Kate DeAngelis was the Keynote Speaker at the Inclusion Summit at UMASS Lowell. She
presented to over 50 attendees representing schools, hospitals, non -profits and community
organizations with a focus on bringing Inclusion to your agency.
Inclusion
• On Tuesday, March 18th, 2025, Melissa Battite and Kate DeAngelis presented the annual
update on Inclusion and Adapative services and capital to the Commission on Disablity.
• This past winter, a pilot program was held at the Cotting School for adaptive basketball. The
program was a huge success and the location is ideal for adaptive programming. Additional
programs will likely take place at Cotting in the coming seasons.
www.lexingtonma.gov/recreation
recdeptCEDlexingtonma.gov
39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MA 02421 (office)
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 (mail)
Marketing
• Spring/Summer registration:
o 994 Registrations
0 237 memberships
o $786 donated to the Rec Scholarship Fund
0 2,294 reads on the brochure since we uploaded on Feb 22
o Peaked at 898 users on MyRec on 2/25 with over 51,000 event counts (average around
250 users and 4,000 event counts)
March e -newsletter had an open rate of 72% and a click rate of 5% out of the 15,000 emails it
was sent to.
• Over the past 30 days the Spring/Summer brochure had over 4,263 reads and average read
time of 6 minutes.
• Over the past 30 days the MyRec website had over 9,600 active users.
Inclusion
• On Tuesday, March 18th, 2025, Melissa Battite and Kate DeAngelis presented the annual
update on Inclusion and Adapative services and capital to the Commission on Disablity.
• This past winter, a pilot program was held at the Cotting School for adaptive basketball. The
program was a huge success and the location is ideal for adaptive programming. Additional
programs will likely take place at Cotting in the coming seasons.
Community Center
• There were 221 reservation totaling 1,237 hours over the past 30 days.
• Community Center visitation in the last 30 days was 11,946.
• DPW/DPF/IT completed 13 work orders to help keep the building safe and usable for the public.
• February Break classes at the Community Center consisted of Chess with 9 students, Right Brain
Curriculum Lego City creators & Shark Tank Jr with 8 students, and a Citcuit Lab course with 13
students.
Late winter youth classes started up in March (Chess, Youth & Adult Table Tennis, Combined
Martial Arts, Adaptive Martial Arts, Dungeons & Dragons, Archery,Writing Wizards, Sports Zone
101)
• Tom Romano and Kelsey Rollins collaborated to offer a program run by the LHS Seniorgraphed
club who interview seniors in town to talk about their lives. The audio is recorded from the
conversation, edited, and sent back to the resident. They interview 5 seniors on March 7th
Programs & Services
• During February School Vacation Week, the department offered two new programs including a
licensed day camp, and an advanced skills basketball clinic from an outside vendor.
o February Fun Camp was a licensed inclusive day camp offered over four days and
included sports, arts and crafts, and STEM activities. 17 children participated in the
February Fun Camp.
o Prove Them Wrong provided a high level, four-day basketball clinic for middle school
athletes. 15 athletes participated in the February clinic.
Summer staff interviews are ongoing with the goal of filling all leadership positions before the
end of March.
Parks, Fields, & Facilities
• Aquatics
o We are still recruiting and interviewing candidates for aquatics positions, and we are
mapping out orientation and trainings for aquatics staff.
o Swim Memberships are currently on sale for both Residents and Non -Residents for
the 2025 season.
o The contract for Pre-season/Post-Season/On-call Maintenance Support at the Town
Pool is out to bid and is due March 20tH
o DPW is scheduled to begin preparing the Town Pool for the season after Patriots'
Day.
Athletic Fields
o The spring field schedule has been finalized.
o The synthetic turf fields will officially open for the season on Monday, March 17th for
the LHS spring sports season. The target date to open the grass athletic fields is on
or about April 11t, weather permitting.
o No field permits have been issued on Friday, April 18th through Sunday, April 20th
due to the Lex250 Patriots' Day weekend festivities.
o The portable toilets are scheduled to be delivered to six parks (Adams, Bridge,
Clarke, Diamond, Estabrook, and Harrington) on Monday, March 24th. The public
restrooms at the Center Recreation Complex and Lincoln Park are tentatively
scheduled to open in late -March or early April, pending temperatures and
conditions. In the interim, portable toilets were delivered to these two parks on
Friday, March 14tH
o The LHS Baseball Boosters has decided to invest in improving the current batting
cage located next to Center #1 rather than installing a brand new batting cage. This
work in scheduled to begin during the week of March 24tH
• Hard Court Surfaces
o As of March 13th, a total of 249 tennis/pickleball memberships and 63 Battle Green
Tennis League memberships have been sold for the 2025 season
o Permitted use of the tennis and pickleball courts will begin on Tuesday, April 1St
o The tennis and pickleball court reservations will go live on PlayLocal on a rolling basis
throughout the season, two weeks before the reservation time.
o New portable pickleball nets have been ordered for the Adams and Clarke Courts.
o A large tree came down at the Farias Basketball Courts during the windstorm on the
Thursday, March 6th. Thankfully, there was no damage.
• Pine Meadows Golf Club
o Lower pond dredging work beginning with surveys and delineation, etc
o The Clubhouse renovation project has mobilized.
Sports Advisory Council
• The most recent Sports Advisory Council meeting took place on Tuesday, March 111h
Budget & Capital
• Prep for Annual Town Meeting continues as recordings for the various articles are in the
process of being finalized.
• Valley Courts — the public hearing was closed at the Conservation Commission meeting on
Monday, February 24th. At its March 3rd meeting, the Conservation Commission voted to
approve the project under the Massachusetts stormwater bylaw, but not under the more
stringent Lexington stormwater bylaw. Activitas has requested to reopen the public hearing
during the Conservation Commission meeting on Tuesday, April 8th. The bid opening for this
project is scheduled for Thursday, April 3rd
Fiske Field Renovation — a project check-in was held on Friday, March 7th. The contractor will
remobilize in late March/early April, depending on the weather and field conditions, and work
is anticipated to completed before the end of April. The next check-in is scheduled for Friday,
March 28th. A final walkthrough has been tentively scheduled for Friday, April 25th with the
construction fencing set to be taken down on Monday, April 28tH
Harrington New Fields Construction Project — the first community meeting on the new
Harrington athletic fields was held on Tuesday, March 11th. The conversation focused on
potential designs (field types and layouts, amenities included, etc.) for these fields and there
were just under 30 people in attendance. The second community meeting, which will focus on
the proposed design, is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15th at 6:30pm. Funding for the full design
and construction documents will be requested at Annual Town Meeting this spring and
construction funds will be requested at the 2026 ATM.
• Lincoln Field #2 — the bid opening was held on Thursday, March 131h and it appears that the bids
came in within budget. Reference checks are being completed and the contract will be
awarded in the coming weeks.
• Pine Meadows Golf Clubhouse Renovation —the project is under contract and the contractor is
scheduled to mobilize before the end of the month.
• Reservoir Bathouse renovation — a walkthrough with Town staff from Recreation, DPW, DPF,
and IT is scheduled for Thursday, April 3rd to review the items that need to be completed before
the facility opens for the summer season.
• Lincoln Park Boardwalk — the survey work is underway.
vs M s
177s h Town of .
exln ton
b
Massachusetts
RECREATION COMMITTEE
Frederick DeAngelis, Chair I Christian Boutwell, Vice Chair
Claire Sheth I Carl Fantasia I Weiwei Li I Renen Bassik
Tel: 781-698-4800 Email: recreationcmteAlexin�onmagov
Web: www.lexin onmagov/511/recreation-communi�ro r�/511/recreation-communi�ro r
The Recreation Committee comprises seven residents of Lexington who are appointed to three-year terms
by the Town Manager with the approval of the Select Board. The current members of the Committee are
Rick DeAngelis (Chair), Christian Boutwell (Vice Chair), Claire Sheth, Carl Fantasia, Weiwei Li, and
Renen Bassik.
The official charge of the Recreation Committee is to be "...responsible for the planning and administration
of public playgrounds and recreational centers in the town. It is charged with administering, expanding,
and promoting recreation, leisure activities, play, sports, and physical education." The primary interface
of the Committee with Town Meeting is in terms of appropriation requests to fund capital projects to
maintain the quality of the many recreation fields, courts, facilities, and other assets. Additional
information will be available soon in the Recreation Capital Projects Report under Article 2 on the Town
Meeting site.
The Recreation Committee works closely with, and in support of, the Recreation and Community
Programs Department in pursuit of our shared goal to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality recreation
opportunities for all residents of Lexington. Indeed, we refer collectively to ourselves as "Recreation",
which is not simply a convenient shorthand, but rather an intentional choice to reflect the closely aligned
interests and highly collaborative efforts of the two entities. The effectiveness of the Recreation
partnership is due in no small part to the dedication and professionalism of the executive leadership team:
Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs Department; Christine Dean,
Community Center Director; and Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation.
The Recreation Committee holds standing public meetings at the Community Center in the evening of the
third Wednesday of each month and project- or policy -specific community meetings as needed to address
special topics. The agenda for monthly meetings (posted forty-eight hours in advance), and the minutes
and associated materials for past meetings (posted following Committee review and approval), and
information regarding capital projects (and so much more!) are available through links on the Recreation
and Community Programs Department website:
https://www.lexingtonma.gov/51 I/Recreation-Community-Programs
From: Lexington, MA boards@granicuslabs.com
Subject: andrea L jackson has submitted an application for Recreation Committee
Date: February 22, 2025 at 15:57
To: Selectboard@lexingtonma.gov, recreationcmte@lexingtonma.gov
USE CAUTION: This email came from outside the Town of Lexington. Do not click links, open attachments or
respond to the email unless you recognize the sender, you are expecting the communication and you know
the content is safe.
A new application for Lexington MA Boards and Committees has been submitted. Applicant: andrea L jackson Boards Applied For:
Recreation Committee Link: https://lexingtonma•aranicus,com/apps boards/applicants/?id=1886803
From: Lexington, MA boards@granicuslabs.com
Subject: Andrea J Fribush has submitted an application for Recreation Committee
Date: February 23, 2025 at 12:37
To: Selectboard@lexingtonma.gov, recreationcmte@lexingtonma.gov
USE CAUTION: This email came from outside the Town of Lexington. Do not click links, open attachments or
respond to the email unless you recognize the sender, you are expecting the communication and you know
the content is safe.
A new application for Lexington MA Boards and Committees has been submitted. Applicant: Andrea J Fribush Boards Applied For:
Recreation Committee Link: https://lexingtonma.granicus.com/apps/boards/applicants/?id=1816266
From: Mark Andersen markandersenphd@gmail.com Lf
Subject: Re: Online Form Submittal: Contact Us - Recreation Committee
Date: February 27, 2025 at 11:50
To: Peter Coleman pcoleman@lexingtonma.gov
Cc: Recreation Committee recreationcmte@lexingtonma.gov, Melissa Battite mbattite@lexingtonma.gov
USE CAUTION: This email came from outside the Town of Lexington. Do not click links, open attachments
or respond to the email unless you recognize the sender, you are expecting the communication and you
know the content is safe.
thanks Peter - was just trying to be helpful here.
have a good day
mark
On Thu, Feb 27, 2025 at 8:57AM Peter Coleman <pcoleman@lexingtonma.gwv wrote:
Good Morning Mark,
Last night's Recreation Committee meeting was a one-off. Typically, the Recreation Committee meets the third Wednesday of each
month, which would have been February 19th. However, with last week being the school vacation week, the meeting was moved to
last night based on the availability of the Committee members. Once the decision was made to move the meeting to 2/26, there
were no rooms available in the Community Center and that is why last night's meeting took place at the Police Station. I do not
anticipate this being the case going forward.
Have a nice day.
Thanks,
Peter
Peter Coleman, CPRP, CPSI, CYSA I Assistant Director of Recreation
Spring & Summer 2025 Program Registration I Tuesday., February 25th at
6am!
Town of Lexington I Recreation and Community Programs
A: 39 Marrett Road I Lexington, MA 02421
P: (781) 698-4803 1 F: (781) 861-2747
a-w1mFolO
Lex i n on
Creating Community Through People, Parks & Places
From: noreply@civicplus.com <noreply@civicplus.corn>
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2025 9:21:32 AM
To: Recreation Committee
Subject: Online Form Submittal: Contact Us - Recreation Committee
From: Lexington, MA boards@granicuslabs.com
Subject: Guy W Jarvis has submitted an application for Recreation Committee
Date: February 28, 2025 at 21:26
To: Selectboard@lexingtonma.gov, recreationcmte@lexingtonma.gov
USE CAUTION: This email came from outside the Town of Lexington. Do not click links, open attachments or
respond to the email unless you recognize the sender, you are expecting the communication and you know
the content is safe.
A new application for Lexington MA Boards and Committees has been submitted. Applicant: Guy W Jarvis Boards Applied For:
Recreation Committee Link: https://Iexingtonma.granicus.com/apps/boards/applicants/?id=1886930
From: Lexington, MA boards@granicuslabs.com
Subject: Subha Sainathan has submitted an application for Economic Development Advisory Committee I Lexington Center
Committee I Recreation Committee I Town Report Committee I Vision for Lexington Committee I Vision for Lexington
Subcommittee on Local Election ...
Date: March 6, 2025 at 11:20
To: Selectboard@lexingtonma.gov, economicdevelopmentcmte@lexingtonma.gov, centercmte@lexingtonma.gov,
recreationcmte@lexingtonma.gov, townreportcmte@lexingtonma.gov, visionforlex@lexingtonma.gov,
visionforlex@lexingtonma.gov
USE CAUTION: This email came from outside the Town of Lexington. Do not click links, open attachments or
respond to the email unless you recognize the sender, you are expecting the communication and you know
the content is safe.
A new application for Lexington MA Boards and Committees has been submitted. Applicant: Subha Sainathan Boards Applied For:
Economic Development Advisory Committee I Lexington Center Committee I Recreation Committee I Town Report Committee I Vision
for Lexington Committee I Vision for Lexington Subcommittee on Local Election Voter Participation I Vision for Lexington
Subcommittee for Sharing Survey Information with Lexington Town Groups and Organizations Link:
hops://I exi ngton ma.grqnicus.com/app-s/boards/applicants/?id=l 888807
From: KMc kimmamcc@gmail.com Lf
Subject: Lexington Pickleball Club request to continue working towards solution with Lex Rec Committee
Date: March 6, 2025 at 12:32
To: recreationcmte@lexington-ma.gov
Cc: Melissa Battite mbattite@lexingtonma.gov, PK Shiu pk@pkshiu.com, Mona Altschuler monaaltschuler@gmail.com,
Peter Coleman pcoleman@lexingtonma.gov
USE CAUTION: This email came from outside the Town of Lexington. Do not click links, open attachments or
respond to the email unless you recognize the sender, you are expecting the communication and you know
the content is safe.
Hello,
The Lexington Pickleball Club's Board of Directors and the leaders of the Battle Green Tennis League are submitting the attached two
letters to the members of the Lexington Recreation Committee. Our main goal is to show our commitment to working with the
Committee to make a 6 court solution possible at the Adams location for the 2025 season.
We believe this is possible considering timing and costs, and helps to meet the demand of this sport in our town while also providing
more opportunities for the community to be active and build camaraderie.
Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best Wishes,
Kim McCormick
Lexington Pickleball Club Board Member
G ro
LEXfNGTO PICKLESALL
March 6, 2025
Dear Members of the Lexington Recreation Committee,
On behalf of the Lexington Pickleball Club Board and 1000+ members, we would like to extend
our sincere appreciation for your ongoing efforts to enhance and support recreational
opportunities within our community. Your dedication to maintaining and improving the town's
facilities ensures that residents have access to spaces that encourage health, wellness, and
commurtiity engagement.
We also want to acknowledge that the committee has listened to our requests in the past, and
we appreciate the opportunity to be part of discussions that aim to improve pickleball offerings
for town residents. However, we are concerned that recent actions indicate a reluctance to
work towards solutions that would benefit our residents and their growing interest in playing
pickleball as a form of recreation. In particular, we have provided documentation to town staff
for a reasonably priced solution to increase the number of courts at the Adams location from
four to six, following a successful pilot program last season that demonstrated a strong need
for additional space. The solution is a simple painting project with a minimal fence adjustment
(to remove the "V" shape). We have also offered to assist with funding to help offset costs
associated with this project and know that it is possible to complete this Spring with only 1
week of downtime. Despite this, our request appears to have been dismissed without
reasonable justification.
We believe that painting the Adams location to allow 6 pickleball courts is a simple, affordable
solution trial wouo serve the oroaaer community ano augns witri ine commintme s mission to
promote and improve recreational access. Given the substantial interest in this initiative and the
LPC's commitment to being a proactive partner, we urge the committee to be open to
approving this project for the 2025 season.
We remain committed to working collaboratively and respectfully with the committee to reach a
resolution that best serves Lexington residents. We would appreciate an opportunity to further
discuss this project and explore viable pathways.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to your response.
Respectively,
Lexington Pickk4WI Club, Board of Directors
i_etter of Sup[x)rt for
Dedication of Adani-:. CourLs to PicklebAl
#i tt,le Green Tviinis, I_cagtx Frbruary 2 , ?ti?;
Itt Iov,n of UNi-n,i;to:l Rt-crt`ation Dvpl_'tnilnt,
i'atT, a> wlirt- critotI;vvP- tq ihr mcrnt.�rs trI Siic battle 6rec-11 l C111w, Lt•agur, :tr(,
lt'r ing to expri':ti OW sialiport tor the t.l�` fication of Ad 3in2S Courts for pit klt.'ba . As, in
t.0 t•.7ili(.ltic-tit il.a: cht r.�sl3cs tltc promotion and enitynicrtt of roque., in our
coni nnunity, we '11C };rO int; interest anti t uniand fo- pickleball among
resident,
lilt: Fak dk:6-rccll t cni ie ixae,irc ita, t iwki s tiro it ettmmitfcd ti,,uppo=ting
lllinan%et, tl_at vnhatnie rc'c;reationa, oppo twnitiC4 S%-ithatl k)Ur C01211-
1UnSCs.
that the audition of kiodicated pickloloall hitt=t5 at dosis c_tuirt> Will �i�;ieificantls
con.tributi, to lit, : ibrollcv and tit irir li L`,)l -,,r r't� offerings.
Leitii t'ro]V,
K,? r I Vti,ku,
Cu Clw. i L3alklr t.iitta j"tri; i> Lca��t=a�
kGarlct�snuiL.� nna;l c: int
Mona Alt>Chuivr
C o-( hair l3at#ic Grtxn I ettrI3t. 1_ ,'tt,ut.
?'1t>n,i,tltV'hUit'r ri �;Intaii-Ct�I11
From: Recreation Committee recreationcmte@lexingtonma.gov
Subject: Re: Let's avoid overrides! Original Harrington School is an asset to meet MBTA Communities Act Infrastructure Needs
Date: March 16, 2025 at 17:34
To: LVBH lexingtonma1977@gmail.com, Select Board selectboard@lexingtonma.gov, Town Manager Manager@lexingtonma.gov
Thank you,
Your email with others sent to the recreation email are included in the monthly meeting
minutes as per usual.
Sincerely,
Renen Bassik
From: LVBH <lexingtonma1977@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 3:10:05 PM
To: Recreation Committee; Select Board; Town Manager
Subject: Let's avoid overrides! Original Harrington School is an asset to meet MBTA Communities
Act Infrastructure Needs
USE CAUTION: This email came from outside the Town of Lexington. Do not click links, open attachments or
respond to the email unless you recognize the sender, you are expecting the communication and you know
the content is safe.
Dear Members of the Recreation Committee, Members of the Select Board, and the Town Manager,
Please see my attached letter regarding re -purposing the Original Harrington School to avoid future
overrides. I would like to submit this letter for the Town record. Please acknowledge receipt of
this email and the attached PDF file.
Thank you,
Vida Baterina Hom
Lexington Resident since 1977
**********************
175 Grove Street
Lexington MA 02420
March 11, 2025
Lexington Recreation Committee
Lexington Community Center
39 Marrett Road
Lexington, MA 02421
RE:
1.
Let's avoid overrides!
2.
Original Harrington School is an asset to meet MBTA Communities Act
infrastructure iveeas
Dear Recreation Committee Members:
Lexington is facing a major population change as a result of Article 34. Even the
rollback of multifamily dwellings via the proposed Article 2 still promises a significant
increase in population. Multiple development plans already before the Planning Board
underscore the need for more infrastructures at a great cost to our town. It is prudent
that Lexington puts a moratorium on razing our current existing assets, such as
the original Harrington School, so these can be repurposed for a drastically
changed town.
The original Harrington School can be used for:
• Lexington Public Schools' student capacity
• Lexington Community indoor recreation spaces (the existing Gymnasium /
Auditorium / Stage space is great for this, plus the many rooms)
• Lexington Community meeting places & Library resources
• Housing, similar to the condos at the original Parker Elementary School,
apartments at the original Franklin Elementary School, condos at the original
Hancock School, condos at the original Muzzey Jr. High School
o Housing can be targeted to Senior Housing and Low-income Housing
• Arts and Music education facilities, similar to Munroe Center for the Arts at the
original Monroe School
• Other education facilities, such as The Waldorf School at the original Adams
Elementary School
Destruction and disposal of this massive building will also result in severe
negative environmental consequences. The Town and Recreation Committee should
care about materials disposal and the environment. There are other possible sites that
do not require demolition that can be used for baseball/soccer fields. For example,
the undeveloped municipal lands off of Marrett Road near Clarke Middle School and the
Community Center.
Taxpayers do not want yet another override, to "replace" a school that we already
have. Ubiquitous in the news media are the economic uncertainties due to what is
happening at the Federal and State levels. US DOGE slashing jobs, grants, Social
Security, Medicaid and Medicare. Trade tariffs, inflation, war. Lexington committees and
boards, as fiduciaries, must preserve, not waste, our assets and exercise spending
restraint. Do not demolish the original Harrington School just to have landscaped ball
fields, when there are other, wiser, options.
Sincerely,
Vida Baterina Hom
Lexington Resident since 1977
cc: Lexington Select Board
Lexington Town Manager
From: LVBH lexingtonma1977@gmail.com e
Subject: Let's avoid overrides! Original Harrington School is an asset to meet MBTA Communities Act Infrastructure Needs
Date: March 11, 2025 at 15:10
To: recreationcmte@lexingtonma.gov, selectboard@lexingtonma.gov, townmanager@lexingtonma.gov
USE CAUTION: This email came from outside the Town of Lexington. Do not click links, open attachments or
respond to the email unless you recognize the sender, you are expecting the communication and you know
the content is safe.
Dear Members of the Recreation Committee, Members of the Select Board, and the Town
Manager,
Please see my attached letter regarding re -purposing the Original Harrington School to avoid
future overrides. I would like to submit this letter for the Town record. Please acknowledge
receipt of this email and the attached PDF file.
Thank you,
Vida Baterina Hom
Lexington Resident since 1977
175 Grove Street
Lexington MA 02420
March 11, 2025
Lexington Recreation Committee
Lexington Community Center
39 Marrett Road
Lexington, MA 02421
RE:
1.
Let's avoid overrides!
2.
Original Harrington School is an asset to meet MBTA Communities Act
Infrastructure
Needs
Dear Recreation Committee Members:
Lexington is facing a major population change as a result of Article 34. Even the
rollback of multifamily dwellings via the proposed Article 2 still promises a significant
increase in population. Multiple development plans already before the Planning Board
underscore the need for more infrastructures at a great cost to our town. It is prudent
that Lexington puts a moratorium on razing our current existing assets, such as
the original Harrington School, so these can be repurposed for a drastically
changed town.
The original Harrington School can be used for:
• Lexington Public Schools' student capacity
• Lexington Community indoor recreation spaces (the existing Gymnasium /
Auditorium / Stage space is great for this, plus the many rooms)
• Lexington Community meeting places & Library resources
• Housing, similar to the condos at the original Parker Elementary School,
apartments at the original Franklin Elementary School, condos at the original
Hancock School, condos at the original Muzzey Jr. High School
o Housing can be targeted to Senior Housing and Low-income Housing
• Arts and Music education facilities, similar to Munroe Center for the Arts at the
original Monroe School
• Other education facilities, such as The Waldorf School at the original Adams
Elementary School
Destruction and disposal of this massive building will also result in severe
negative environmental consequences. The Town and Recreation Committee should
care about materials disposal and the environment. There are other possible sites that
do not require demolition that can be used for baseball/soccer fields. For example,
the undeveloped municipal lands off of Marrett Road near Clarke Middle School and the
Community Center.
Taxpayers do not want yet another override, to "replace" a school that we already
have. Ubiquitous in the news media are the economic uncertainties due to what is
happening at the Federal and State levels. US DOGE slashing jobs, grants, Social
Security, Medicaid and Medicare. Trade tariffs, inflation, war. Lexington committees and
boards, as fiduciaries, must preserve, not waste, our assets and exercise spending
restraint. Do not demolish the original Harrington School just to have landscaped ball
fields, when there are other, wiser, options.
Sincerely,
Vida Baterina Hom
Lexington Resident since 1977
cc: Lexington Select Board
Lexington Town Manager
175 Grove Street
Lexington MA 02420
March 11. 2025
Lexington Recreation Committee
Lexington Community Center
39 Marrett Road
Lexington. MA 02421
RE: 1. Let's avoid overrides!
2. Original Harrington School is an asset to meet MBTA Communities Act Infrastructure
Needs
Dear Recreation Committee Members:
Lexington is facing a major population change as a result of Article 34. Even the rollback of
munitamuy awemngs via the proposea ,articie z sun promises a signmcant increase in
population. Multiple development plans already before the Planning Board underscore the need for
more infrastructures at a great cost to our town. It Is prudent that Lexington puts a moratorium on
razing our current existing assets, such as the original Harrington School, so these can be
repurposed for a drastically changed town.
The original Harrington School can be used for:
• Lexington Public Schools' student capacity
• Lexington Community indoor recreation spaces (the existing Gymnasium ! Auditorium ! Stage
space is great for this, plus the many rooms)
• Lexington Community meeting places & Library resources
• Housing, similar to the condos at the original Parker Elementary School, apartments at the
original Franklin Elementary School, condos at the original Hancock School, condos at the
original Muzzey Jr. High School
Q Housing can be targeted to Senior Housing and Low-income Housing
• Arts and Music education facilities, similar to Munroe Center for the Arts at the original Monroe
School
• Other education facilities, such as The Waldorf School at the original Adams Elementary School
Destruction and disposal of this massive building will also result in severe negative
environmental consequences. The Town and Recreation Committee should care about materials
disposal and the environment. There are other possible sites that do not require demolition that can be
used for basebaltlsoccer fields. For example, the undeveloped municipal lands off of Marren Road
near Clarke Middle School and the Community Center.
Taxpayers do not want yet another override, to "replace" a school that we already
have. Ubiquitous in the news media are the economic uncertainties due to what is happening at the
Federal and State levels. US DOGE slashing jobs, grants. Social Security. Medicaid and
Medicare. Trade tariffs, inflation, war. Lexington committees and boards, as fiduciaries, must
preserve, not waste, our assets and exercise spending restraint- Do not demolish the original
Harrington School just to have landscaped ball fields, when there are other, wiser, options.
Sincerely,
Vida Baterina Hom
Lexington Resident since 1977
cc: Lexington Select Board
Lexington Town Manager
From: Peter Coleman pcoleman@lexingtonma.gov (J
Subject: Pickleball at Gallagher
Date: March 13, 2025 at 14:10
To: Kathleen Lenihan klenihan@lexingtonma.org, Julie Hackett jhackett@lexingtonma.org, Naomi Martin nmar in@lexingtonma.org,
Eamonn Sheehan esheehan@lexingtonma.org
Cc: Steve Bartha sbartha@lexingtonma.gov, Kelly Axtell kaxtell@lexingtonma.gov, Recreation Committee
recreationcmte@lexingtonma.gov, Melissa Battite mbattite@lexingtonma.gov, Peter Coleman pcoleman@lexingtonma.gov
Hello,
As we prepare for the upcoming spring season, this email is an annual reminder that pickleball is
not allowed at the Gallagher Tennis Courts. The Recreation Committee came to this decision at
the September 20, 2023 Recreation Committee meeting and the memo that was issued in
October 2023 on this issue is attached to this email.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding.
Thanks,
Peter
Peter Coleman, CPRP, CPSI, CYSA I Assistant Director of Recreation
Spring & Summer 2025 Program Registration 1 -Tuesday, February 251—h at 6am!
Town of Lexington Recreation and Community Programs
A: 39 Marrett Road Lexington, MA 02421
P: (781) 698-4803 1 F: (781) 861-2747
.,;11 2-rO:
Lexinciton o
Creating Community Through People, Parks & Places
When writing or responding, please be aware that the Massachusetts Secretary of State has determined that most email is a public
record and, therefore, may not be kept confidential.
PDF
Memo to LPS re
pickleb... her.pdf