Chapter Newsletters

Claxton Field Renovations ~ Needham, MA

From a pre 1950’s burn dump location to serving as a recreational facility for almost 60 years, site redevelopment upgrades highlight the importance of collaboration among the Town, Engineer, Contractor and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)

Project Overview:

- Full renovation of a multiuse community recreation facility
- Reconfiguration of multiple athletic fields
- Installation of new site amenities, upgraded lighting and turf
- Addition of ADA-accessible walking paths and new landscaping

Challenges:

While this site served as a recreational facility for nearly 60 years, it was previously the location of a burn dump.
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) required that the soil beneath the field be capped and overlain by a geotextile during the renovations. The geotextile was required under the athletic fields and other areas of the site based on soil testing.
Adjacent to the athletic fields is a grassy slope with a stream at the toe. During the park renovations, minor grade changes were made that steepened the slope. Significant clearing was required on portions of the slope to remove overgrown, invasive vegetation. An erosion control and slope stabilization solution was needed to protect the slope and stream below.

Pictured Right : PROPEX Armormax® offered erosion control and slope stabilization
with high tensile strength while supporting vegetated solutions, blending into the natural environment.

MIRAFI RS380i provided tensile reinforcement, separation, confinement, and high water flow in one product. In addition, the orange color functioned as a visual demarcation layer between fill layers.

Solution:

• The geotextile was installed beneath athletic fields to reinforce and demarcate the capped
  area.
• The high performance turf reinforcement system was installed along the adjacent slope to
  prevent erosion and establish vegetation.
•  Slope was hydroseeded post-installation, with healthy vegetation now fully established.
• Integrated geosynthetic approach implemented to improve site performance and environmental safety.