A new draft Norwich parks master plan recommends the city consider building two splashpads, an artificial turf field, more shady areas and trails, and improve accessibility. Officials from FHI Studio of Hartford on Monday presented an overview of the 170-page plan, which assessed 31 city parks and made recommendations for improvements to each one. The group also proposed two new parks, including what FHI Studio landscape architect Phil Barlow called a potential signature park at the blighted, decaying former Capehart Mill along the Shetucket River in Greeneville. The proposed improvements and new parks would cost $30 million. FHI recommended tackling the projects in seven phases over 10 years, with potential funding sources identified. The group recommended converting the much-used Fontaine Field on Mahan Drive across from Kelly Middle School, into an artificial turf field to improve scheduling and open the field to more uses. The group also proposed improvements to the field’s walking trail and added parking.
https://www.theday.com/local-news/20231218/norwich-parks-improvement-plan-would-cost-30m-over-10-years/