Selectmen To Consider $200K Gift From Darien Little League

DARIEN, CT — The Darien Board of Selectmen on Aug. 21 will discuss and possibly take action on a $200,000 gift from Darien Little League for the reconstruction of the three athletic fields at McGuane Park.

In March, the town approved the donation of $15,000 from the league to conduct a professional evaluation of McGuane Park's two baseball fields and a softball field.

The evaluation, which was conducted by Tom Irwin Advisors, identified challenges and safety concerns with managing water at the fields, and with an inconsistent irrigation system, according to a recent memo from Darien Parks & Recreation Director Pamela Geary to Town Administrator Kate Buch.

Tom Irwin Advisors recommended a full reconstruction of the infield skin, a widening of the basepaths between first and third base, and relocation and addition of infield skin irrigation heads, among other work.

Parks & Rec. unanimously approved the $200,000 donation proposal in July.

The cost to reconstruct the fields is quoted between $130,000 and $150,000, Geary's memo said, but there may be additional costs, hence the $200,000 amount.

"We expect that the newly constructed fields, combined with a clear maintenance plan, will significantly reduce current time spent by our Parks crew repairing uneven field grades for safe play," Geary said in her memo. "Although we had earmarked this project for FY25 in our six-year plan and confirmed there are grading and safety issues from the Field Evaluation, we feel this project should start in FY24."

Geary said work could be completed this fall so the fields are safe and ready for use in spring 2024.

The Board of Finance and Representative Town Meeting would also have to approve the gift.

The Aug. 21 Board of Selectmen meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. It will be broadcast on DarienTV79.