Milton is drafting its first-ever comprehensive recreational master plan, a 20-year vision for the town's parks, fields and programs — and if the early feedback is any indication, one issue is dominating the conversation more than any other: there simply isn't enough field space to go around.
"Field space [is] one of the biggest discussions and a lot of commentary on that subject," Tighe & Bond project manager Ryan Morrison told the Board of Park Commissioners in February, summarizing early input from youth sports organizations. That feedback came out of a community survey and public meetings that wrapped up in March, kicking off the plan's analysis phase.
The Board of Park Commissioners, led by Chair Robert Levash, launched the process last July with consulting firm Tighe & Bond, tasked with assessing every public and private recreational facility in town. Sites under review include Andrews Park, Milton High School fields, Tivoli Field and Father Carroll Field, each scored on ADA accessibility, safety, equipment condition, field geometry, lighting and drainage. The firm is also exploring potential partnerships with Curry College, Milton Academy, Fontbonne Academy and the Cunningham Foundation — a sign the town may look beyond its own property lines to solve the space crunch.
The town's Equity and Justice Committee has weighed in as well. Committee member Ralph Parent raised questions in February about financial assistance for families who want their kids in youth sports, and about accommodation requirements for programs permitted through the parks department — a reminder that "more fields" isn't the only piece of the puzzle.
At a March 25 public meeting, Levash outlined potential funding sources for future improvements, including Community Preservation Committee grants, contributions from sports groups, and town funds.
The plan runs through five phases; research and community engagement are done, with analysis, visioning, and a final plan document still ahead. The finished product will include a full facilities assessment, stakeholder review, and a prioritized list of improvements with a timeline attached. No date has been set yet for the next public meeting or draft release.
Stay involved:
- Visit miltonma.gov's Parks & Recreation page for updates
- Call the Parks and Recreation Department at 617-898-4940
- Watch the March 25 survey results presentation on YouTube
