BRANFORD – The town has filed with the Inland Wetlands department a plan to add 2 all-purpose fields to Walsh Intermediate School and provide other improvements to provide longevity and access to the fields.
The project, which is being engineered by BL Companies, is separate from an ongoing study being undertaken by the town to assess athletic needs and fields throughout the town.
Below is the description of the project as included in the application:
“The project will replace the existing recess swing play structures as well as add additional recess playscape structures, remove the existing aerial ropes course and baseball field, provide a regulation basketball court and half court, regrade the existing softball outfield, add accessible paths to all program areas on the site, renovate the two existing natural turf fields into two synthetic turf fields with lighting and seating, replace the existing running track with a three lane walking track, provide a seasonal restroom area, enhance the buffer between the use areas and the wetland with the introduction of a naturalized buffer, rain gardens (bioretention), and a pollinator garden, introduce an outdoor classroom, and outdoor environmental education area.”
One of the options the town will need to decide on is the makeup of the fields, with options being natural grass or synthetic turf. The engineers are suggesting turf based on the cost of upkeep and the usage the fields will be getting as well as the ability to still be used when raining.