BROOKLINE AVENUE PLAYGROUND

FIELD TURF PROPOSAL

APRIL 2, 2015

OBJECTIVES
To create more opportunities for boys and girls in Brookline
to play sports
To encourage a lifelong interest in sports and fitness and
address the growing issue of childhood obesity
To address shortages of athletic fields for youth and high
school sports
To create a modern multi-sport facility that is a source of
community pride and that captures kids imaginations

BROOKLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

K-8 ENROLLMENT
5400

5200

5000

4800

4600

4400

4200
2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

Source: MA Department 0f Elementary and Secondary Education

2012-13

2013-14

BROOKLINE HIGH SCHOOL

ENROLLMENT
ENROLLMENT

2,600
2,400
2,200
2,000
1,800
1,600
1,400
1,200
2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

School Year

2018/19

2019/20

2020/21

BROOKLINE YOUTH BASEBALL

ENROLLMENT
700

600

500

400
BYB Spring
BYB Fall

300

200

100

0
2012

Source: Brookline Youth Baseball

2013

2014

BENEFITS OF FIELD TURF

Turf would allow for sports to be played nearly year round
Rain and snow severely limit field usage

Lights would add additional field slots every day of the week
Especially important in the fall and early spring with limited daylight
Brookline otherwise landlocked, no other locations to install lights.

Modern turf requires minimal maintenance and provides cushion with

pulverized rubber
New facility would allow for hosting events, such as Little League
Tournament games and other sports events
Youth sports provide opportunities for people to come together and evoke
community pride
Opportunity to effect change in the lives of many kids and families

PUBLIC / PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

Town of Brookline is focused on the overcrowded school
system. The town cannot afford to fund a modern multisport facility itself.
Limited funds available to Parks and Rec for field
improvements.
This model has successfully funded other turf fields in
Brookline, including Skyline Park, Downes Field and Lower
Soule Field

POTENTIAL USER GROUPS

Baseball
Small diamond (12 and under)
Big diamond Middle School

& High School

Soccer Youth, Travel and High School

Football Pop Warner and High School (practice)
Field Hockey Middle School and High School
Lacrosse Youth, Travel and High School
Softball (adult and girls)
Youth Camps
Inclusive Playground and new Field Turf Dog Run

LOCATION
Corner of Brookline and Aspinwall Avenues
Prominent and visible location, minutes from Fenway Park and the Longwood Medical
Area
Significant foot traffic in the area
Opportunity for naming rights
Land required to be used as a field and lights are already present
Limited open space in Brookline and abutters would otherwise object to lights
Currently used as a dog park year round, by Pop Warner football, youth soccer,
lacrosse and by adult softball
Grass and mud field does not drain well and is not in good condition

PROJECT SCOPE AND COST

The Kraft Group has generously donated time and money to
create potential landscape plans
Initial conservative estimate is $4 million
Town is willing to pitch in $1 million towards project
Opportunity to renovate not frequent once every 20+
years

Need a primary sponsor to fund this project

Legacy project that will serve generations

BROOKLINE YOUTH BASEBALL

Our mission is to provide baseball instruction, skill development and
playing opportunities for all children in kindergarten through high
school living or attending school in Brookline
All volunteer, non-profit organization
Little League affiliated

Ages 5-15, all skill levels

10 leagues; spring, summer & fall
Skill development clinics

Provides financial aid to all who ask

CONTACT INFO:
Brookline Youth Baseball Design Group

Town Of Brookline

Rajeev Balakrishna

Dan Krantz

Erin Chute Gallentine

617-970-8184

508-922-6044

Parks and Open Space Director

rbalakrishna@courier.com

dkrantz@thekraftgroup.com

egallentine@brooklinema.gov

Michael Elwood

Mark Novak

617-730-2088

617-750-3564

781-206-9405

Lisa Paradis

melwood61@gmail.com

mjn@activitas.com

Director Brookline Recreation

Stewart Silvestri

617-733-5747
stewartsilvestri@gmail.com

Brookline High School

Kyle Williams
williams_kyle@me.com
617-314-4557

617-730-2069

lparadis@brooklinema.gov