Milton residents have sent a clear message regarding the future of the town’s recreational landscape: more turf and more pickleball. During a March 5 meeting of the Board of Parks and Recreation, consultants from Weston & Sampson presented the results of a community survey that garnered approximately 1,300 responses, providing a roadmap for the town's upcoming Recreational Master Plan. The data highlighted a significant appetite for infrastructure upgrades, with 70 percent of respondents indicating they are somewhat to strongly in favor of installing turf fields to alleviate a chronic shortage of playing space.

Consultant Brian from Weston & Sampson explained that the current lack of field availability is doing more than just complicating schedules; it is actively hindering the development of Milton’s youth athletes. The things we're finding from our conversations is generally that the recreation user groups are, as you would have predicted, short on field space, Brian told the board. Almost everyone I've talked to would love an extra space to play. It's limiting interest in the programs because kids aren't developing skills as fast as their peers. The games get the priority, so instead of practicing two times a week, they're only practicing once a week.

The survey results were heavily driven by parents of youth athletes, who made up 80 percent of the respondents. Ally, also a consultant with Weston & Sampson, noted that while the overall feedback was positive regarding park accessibility, maintenance and drainage remain persistent hurdles. We had about 1,300 overall responses. Overall, we received very positive feedback. People feel like it's very accessible and can easily get to fields near where they live, Ally said. However, she noted that areas for improvements that seem to come up the most are general field condition improvements and a need for drainage improvements.

The rise of pickleball also took center stage during the presentation, emerging as a top demand alongside walking trails and playgrounds. Board member Ted reflected on the rapid shift in community interests over the last decade. Pickleball has shown up so much in this entire thing. It's amazing to me, Ted said. When I started on Park and Rec years ago, someone came in to talk about pickleball and I felt embarrassed sitting there because I had no idea what the hell it was. That was just eight years ago.

While the survey results provide a vision for the future, the board spent considerable time grappling with the legal and financial complexities of current facilities, specifically Flatley Field. The ownership and maintenance status of the field remains a gray area, according to staff member Bonnie. Director of Parks and Recreation Kevin noted that previous discussions suggested a clause in the field’s lease might prohibit the very improvements residents are asking for, such as turf or lights. Board member Rob suggested that the time has come to involve legal counsel to clear the air, especially since organizations like Milton Soccer have expressed interest in funding improvements there. We do own it. It's a question of whether it's really the Select Board or us, but it's us, Rob said, adding that the board needs Town Counsel to clarify if they have the authority to move forward.

Financial discussions also touched on upcoming Community Preservation Committee (CPC) projects. Rob reported that the CPC has recommended funding for the Geo Field steps project, and the board is eager to begin design work before the formal May Town Meeting to ensure a late-summer construction start. However, Kevin raised concerns about how construction might conflict with the men’s softball league, which relies on the lights at Geo Field. One board member noted that recent CPC-funded improvements at Kelly Field have been a major success, stating, a ton of compliments on the Kelly Field dugouts... have been coming around. Meanwhile, smaller projects like the new water station at Andrews are expected to be completed this spring.

As the town prepares for the spring sports season, Kevin issued a stark warning to residents and athletic groups about the condition of the fields following the winter thaw. Even when it melts, everything's going to be soaking wet. There's going to be delays this year using the fields, Kevin warned. You go on the field when it's wet, you're done for the year. We are not the Red Sox grounds crew. You can't fix a field during the year.

Budgetary pressures are also appearing in the Recreation Department’s seasonal planning. Bonnie reported that a regional shortage of charter buses has created a significant financial hurdle for summer camp programming. We had to move our canopy leg due to bus and charter issues, Bonnie explained. You can't get a charter bus during those two weeks, and if you do, it's going to be $500 more per bus than in previous years. Additionally, the board is looking at a roughly $10,000 expenditure for repairs to the town's street hockey rink, though Rob indicated he wants to meet with the project's proponents on April 16th before final approval is granted.

The meeting concluded with a bittersweet moment as the board recognized Ted, who is stepping down after eight and a half years of service to the town. It's been a pleasure. I'm giving the showing. I show up to meetings; that's what I tell people, Ted joked. Rob thanked him for his long tenure as a volunteer, noting that the finalization of the Master Plan will serve as a fitting bookend to his time on the board. The department is now looking toward a community meeting in late March to further discuss the Master Plan findings before the project moves into its final phases.