USE FREQUENCY

On a warm, sunny day, B. Everett Hall Field receives a steady stream of visitors. Nearly all visitors drive to the field and begin their stay in the southeast parking lot; the elements that receive the most consistent use are concentrated by the parking lot: the playground, the hockey rink, and the basketball courts.

The playground is a popular destination for children and their supervising adults and is the only playground in town not associated with a school. The playground is out-of-date and the metal play structures can get hot in the sun, but the playground remains popular. Outside of school hours, families use both the playground at B. Everett Hall Field and Center School’s play facilities. The old Sylvester School playground is lightly used, and generally considered the most outdated option.

The fields are used almost exclusively for scheduled sports practices after school hours on weekday evenings, leaving them vacant during most of the weekday. People walking their dogs occasionally criss-cross the fields, but mostly stick to walking around the perimeter along the forested edge. The northern fields and a story trail loop are used the least, and are farthest from the parking lot. The bandstand and veterans memorial area are lightly used, perhaps due to a lack of pathways or because pedestrian connection is fractured by the Center School driveway. Although the Town used to host live music events at the bandstand, in the years since it was rebuilt in its current location it has not been used for programming and only infrequently by the community. Survey respondents indicate that its proximity and relationship to the busy road create a space that is not conducive for gatherings.

Weekend morning

Students from Center Elementary school use the outfield of the baseball field for gym class. The youth sports association uses the outfield for football, soccer, lacrosse, and baseball practices as well.

Weekday morning

A father and his children play basketball on the courts next to the picnic area. The courts are also popular among teenagers. The former tennis court, now DIY skatepark, is behind the fence in the background.

Two dog walkers cross the northeast field. Sport teams sometimes use the field for practice, but its primary use today is for passive recreation.

Weekday evening