Clifton Park abandons plan for new soccer fields
By Cari Scribner
CLIFTON PARK — Facing the objections of a large group of town residents to the notion of putting at least 10 soccer fields on the town's newest plot of open space, the Town Board is now kicking around the idea of using the site for passive recreation.
The 150 acres in the western part of town, near Rexford, is nearly double the size of Clifton Common, where soccer games are now played. Local soccer league officials have been complaining for years about overcrowded conditions, including lack of parking and the effect of constant use on the playing condition of the fields. Earlier this spring, a committee studying recreational options announced the new land could be ideal space for fields to be moved from Clifton Common.
But the plan failed to score with neighbors, who asked the board to keep in mind the rural character of that part of town and voiced concerns about traffic, water runoff, littering, noise, lighting and other nuisances.
"As a neighborhood, we're not opposed to soccer, but our question is, is this the most appropriate site?" Fran Gordon told the board.
The board agreed to reconfigure the plan after other individuals and groups requested lacrosse, baseball and football fields also be built at the site.
"The issue we have for soccer fields may exist for other sports, as well, and we need to look long-term at the active and passive recreational needs in town," Councilman Tom Paolucci said. "We're now envisioning trails, picnic areas, pavilions, sledding and cross-country trails at the new park."
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