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Russell Field Improvements
What's Happening Now
Russell Field is located off of Rindge Avenue adjacent to the Alewife MBTA Station in the North Cambridge neighborhood. Renovations to Russell Field, including the football field, were completed in 2006.
For
an update go to Russell Field construction
information on the Department of Public Works website.
Project Background
This North Cambridge park is bordered by Rindge Avenue, Clifton Street, Harvey Street, and the W.R. Grace property. The Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School football team plays its games here. The park also contains two Little League fields and a soccer field.
In 1996, a consultant team led by Brown and Rowe Inc. was hired by the City of Cambridge to study the future of Russell Field in terms of renovations and additional facilities at the site. At a series of three public meetings those in attendance made a number of recommendations concerning proposed Russell Field renovations.
At that time the City also received input from various constituents of the park, representatives from City agencies and departments, soccer, baseball and football league representatives, neighborhood groups, and adjacent property owners. There were also discussions with a number of public and private entities including: W.R. Grace, The Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).
There were two public meetings in Spring 2003, at which time the City of Cambridge with Browne, Richardson, and Rowe Inc. (formerly Browne and Rowe Inc.) introduced the current plan for the renovation of Russell Field. The current revised plan includes a field house, renovations to the football, soccer and little league fields, a new tot lot, improvements to pathways, lighting and landscaping, and a renovated parking area.
At the two public meetings, neighbors of Russell Field and interested community members commented on the proposed design and expressed any concerns they had with the plans. There was broad agreement on the main features of the plan including the proposed field renovations and new field house. There was also a public meeting in June 2003 to discuss the design of a new tot lot at Russell Field.
Russell Field Improvement Plan
The final design for the Russell Field renovation includes the following:
- Football/Soccer Field: One lighted football/soccer field with artificial turf, stands and goals.
- Bleachers: New accessible bleachers.
- Temporary Bleachers: New moveable, temporary bleachers
- Press box: A new accessible press box.
- Multi-Purpose Field: One multi-purpose grass field, which will be able to accommodate two six on six soccer games.
- Relocated and Renovated Samp Field: Samp Little League field with new home plate, foul poles, warning track, team benches, line layout, bases, and pitcher's mound.
- Field House: A field house that features a storage area, concession stand, weight room, and bathroom facilities.
- New Tot Lot: A fenced tot lot with structures for children of different ages, benches and drinking fountain.
- Renovated Comeau Field: Comeau Field with new home plate, foul poles, warning track, team benches, line layout, bases, and pitcher's mound. Comeau Field will retain lighting for evening games.
- Renovated Parking Lot and Lighting: One lit parking lot on Rindge Avenue accessible to pedestrian pathway. [All paths will be negotiable by emergency, fire, safety, service and maintenance vehicles.]
Additional Features
- Site Furnishings, Signage, and Fencing: New fencing and gates, park identification signage, bike trail and racks, trash receptacles, bollards, and plantings.
- Field Drainage: Improvements to field surface and subsurface drainage.
- Irrigation for all Grass Fields
Relevant Documents
Review the plan for Russell Field Improvements. This file is in PDF format and requires use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.
- Russell Field Improvements Plan (143 KB)
For More Information
If you would like additional information please contact Taha Jennings by phone 617/349-4603, or by email at tjennings@cambridgema.gov.
For information on environmental testing and remediation at the site please contact John Bolduc at 617/349-4628, or by email at jbolduc@cambridgema.gov.
The Community Development Department TTY line is 617/349-4621.
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