FS1 Recreation Fields Advisory Subgroup - 11/10/26

The Recreation Fields Advisory Subgroup met on November 10, 2026, under the Westwood Media Center Programming listing to review current and future recreation needs related to the FS1 project. Recreation staff reported 215 programs and 4,246 participants at Deerfield in 2026, with use spanning fields, buildings, the playground, and basketball court. Youth softball and baseball representatives described growing participation and limited field availability, particularly in spring, while soccer representatives noted that Deerfield is important for a small number of high-demand weekends. Participants also discussed field-priority rules, drainage, parking, lighting, and the expected loss of access to Deerfield during construction, estimated at about three years.

The discussion considered possible capital improvements, including lighting and turf or multipurpose fields, as well as other town-owned sites for future sports facilities. The subgroup was told that turf is not included in the proposed FS1 budget; no project award, contract, or spending vote was reported. An action item was identified to compile a preliminary list of town-owned parcels that might be considered for additional fields. The group also planned to receive updates on community outreach and the site’s design constraints at a subsequent meeting; no procurement decision was made.