Milton’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Thursday will weigh in on the latest and potentially final version of a concept plan for a new 24-acre active park off Deerfield Parkway.

This is one of several items on the agenda for the May 15 meeting, which will begin at 6 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers (2006 Heritage Walk). Anyone can attend this meeting in-person or watch it online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw1-8vyIs9k.

Consisting of seven people appointed by Milton’s Mayor and City Councilmembers, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (also known as PRAB) considers matters related to City parks, programs, and related policies. Members share their opinions and expertise with Parks and Recreation team members and Milton leaders, such as those on City Council.

Each PRAB meeting, including the one on Thursday, starts with “Committee Reports” in which staff and members discuss City-affiliated recreation programs. These include sports programs run by partner program providers, arts and adult programming, the two City-run summer camps, and a growing number of outdoor recreation offerings.

Then members will move to the heart of the meeting, starting with a discussion of the new Deerfield active park. Since acquiring the property in two separate installments in 2024, the City repeatedly has engaged the community to solicit their valuable opinions on what should go in the park in addition to several needed athletic fields. You can learn more about the park-planning process at www.miltonga.gov/DeerfieldActivePark.

Earlier this spring, the project team presented – and sought feedback on – three park concepts at an “Open House”-style event. Team members subsequently received input from PRAB as well as City Council to further refine these ideas. That engagement led to the concept plan (which is on this post) that will be presented at Thursday’s meeting.

It shows two large rectangular turf fields suitable for lacrosse, football, and the like along with four baseball diamonds, two of which have the option for overlaying rectangular fields. Other elements include two playgrounds, a splashpad, pickleball courts, restrooms, and a connection bridge that would span a new road connecting Deerfield Parkway and a future development along Highway 9. The project team also will share cost estimates for the base park as well as for alternative features that could be added in an initial build-out, at a later date, or not at all.

After this discussion, PRAB will move on to consider the City continuing (or not) partnerships with the outside entities that run several Milton Parks and Recreation programs.

Then comes City Staff updates. City Engineer Scott Tkach will share what’s been happening, and what’s upcoming, in the “North Woods” portion of Milton City Park and Preserve. Recent progress includes new boardwalks, stormwater improvements, and measures intended to support wildlife habitats. There’s more in the works, too, including an expanded trail. For more details and to see recent pictures, go to https://www.facebook.com/thecityofmiltonga/posts/pfbid02zfgc7jJeDjGLZLb3VBP4FuhiADaHNLQ7EcAJKpz413qmektrDhpcQjw1CMB5Q22sl.

Staff also will talk about Milton’s next Wall of Fame class and ceremony, which should take place this fall. Those wishing to nominate a deserving individual have a few more weeks to do so at www.miltonga.gov/WallofFame.

The meeting’s final agenda item relates to Community Outreach efforts, such as the upcoming Memorial Day Ceremony and July 4^th celebration.

After Thursday, PRAB is next scheduled to convene on June 19.