We, the undersigned, support the plan to develop more athletic playing fields in Concord, Massachusetts. This multi-year plan calls for developing all-purpose fields at CCHS (2 turf fields, one grass field) and a 60\' baseball/softball diamond at the DPW land adjacent to the Alcott School. In the future, a 90\' baseball diamond would be constructed on land adjacent to the Ripley School. The all-purpose fields will be used by youth soccer, lacrosse, flag and Pop Warner football during evenings and weekends. High school athletes would use these fields on weekday afternoons for practices and games. Background There has been a long-standing shortage of athletic playing fields in the town; this problem was recognized in the Town\'s Long Range Plan of 1987 and again in 2005 and also reported in the 2003 Playing Fields Study. No new athletic fields have been constructed during the past 40+ years despite a dramatic increase in the number of youth sports programs and a significant increase in the number of youth and young adults participating in these programs. Today, over 2,500 youth and young adults participate in youth baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, flag and Pop Warner football. With demand for fields vastly outpacing supply, the town\'s athletic fields are overused and in generally poor condition. Proposed Solution - A Multi-year Plan The current plan, sponsored by the Town Manager (and backed by all town youth and adult sports programs), to develop more athletic playing fields has been under development for several years. The Recreation Commission has voted unanimous support of this plan and the Regional School Committee has voted unanimous support for new all-purpose fields on the high school campus. Many of the Selectmen have also voiced support for more playing fields. Funding for constructing these fields would come from the town\'s existing capital budget, the Community Preservation Act (CPA) fund and from private gifts and user fees. Your Support Is Critical! We need to demonstrate broad-based support for this plan within Concord. This petition will be presented to the Selectmen and the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Committee - both key decision makers in providing needed public funding for this project. Please include your zip code (required) and we\'d ask that you also include your street address (optional but very helpful for us) and add any comments you\'d like. Please use the TELL OTHERS tab to invite other family members and friends in town to support this effort. Thanks! If you are not comfortable using this free on-line petition or have any questions about this plan, please contact Dekkers Davidson at ddavidson@eggrockpartners.com and we will arrange for a paper petition to be sent to you.

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