Frequently Asked Questions > The Need > What about the "Sasaki" study that there are plenty of alternative sites?

  • A 2002 study was conducted by Sasaki Associates. The study, with a one day duration, consisted of surveying 8-10 year old aerial photographs of Town with no consideration for wetlands, parking space, access, topography or current use of the land.
  • The author of the memorandum, David Herzel, cautions, “At the outset I want to emphasize that our review was not detailed and did not have the advantage of specific issues impacting any of the sites. The intent was to identify POTENTIAL opportunities. We assume that site-specific analyses will be required to determine whether or not the potential opportunities can be realized.
  • Many of the locations warranted consideration. All of these were examined closely by the fields committee as alternative sites. All are contained in the study "The Search for Concord-Carlisle Fields"
  • The remaining suggested locations appear to be the result of “out of the box” thinking, similar to our “underground parking at CCHS” idea. These 4 locations were not seriously considered by the fields group due to significant and obvious issues. The locations were:
    • The Prison Farm
      • Active farmland that is not currently for sale.
      • If shared, not a safe venue for our children and unattractive to visiting teams for obvious reasons
    • The Light Plant
      • According to the Sasaki Report “There appears to be the potential for one new field to the west of the gas line. It will require cutting and may require “edging” into the abutting state owned land.”
      • Unlikely the state would ever allow use of this space, especially in light of a possible future redesign of the rotary.
      • Would require players and fans to fight rotary traffic at rush hour.
      • Wetlands issues and an existing gas line would complicate the site.
    • The State Police barracks by the rotary
      • Currently used by the State Police as parking space
      • This site would only accommodate a half-sized playing field with no parking.
      • It is owned by the State Police and is not for sale
    • Nine Acre Corner
      • According to the Sasaki Report “The land north of Verrill Farm is currently in active agriculture and is very likely to be perceived as open space, although it is not protected as such by a CR. Dimensionally, this location could fit two fields.”
      • The land in question, Willow Guzzle is actively farmed and is considered important open space.
      • Because of significant wetlands the site would only fit two undersized fields if they were squeezed next to Sudbury Road, a busy commuter route.
      • Reducing the project to one field would not help, as the two field sites are separated by private property (2 houses).
  • It is useful to note that the Study also recommended 2-3 fields at CCHS. “With grading and tree removal behind the school, the relocation of the bus parking (onsite being preferred we assume), and reconsideration of the configuration of all the fields, it appears that two or three additional fields could be accommodated.”

Last updated on May 24, 2007 by Webmaster