Travis, representing Southborough Recreation, told the Community Preservation Committee on Dec. 18 that the department collected about 350 responses to a recent Fayetteville Park survey as it advances a plan that could add a splash pad, dog park, improved playground equipment and permanent restroom facilities. The survey showed roughly 20% of responses came from people the department identified as abutters (about 70 people), and overall sentiment leaned favorable to upgrades.

Why it matters: Recreation framed the project as an effort to expand recreational opportunities where town‑owned land is limited; the proposal ties into ongoing capital‑plan reshuffling and could change the park’s footprint near Winter Street, where neighbors raised concerns.

Travis said the department modeled a splash pad off a Northborough installation and proposed multiple footprint options — an 8,000‑square‑foot design (original plan) and smaller 6,000‑ and 4,000‑square‑foot alternatives. He told the committee that, per a preliminary estimate, reducing the pad from 8,000 to 6,000 square feet could cut the project cost by about $40,000, and a 4,000‑square‑foot option could reduce cost by roughly $75,000. He also said the project has spent about $2,500 so far (architect 2‑D rendering, paid from the revolving fund) and that the design team is examining parking, ADA access and circulation with DPW.

Neighbors pressed for changes. Laurie Borden, a Winter Street resident, read a letter from neighbors asking the CPC to approve funding only if the seasonal splash pad is removed from the plans and if parking and traffic mitigation, dog‑park waste management, and layout density concerns are addressed. "We respectfully support CPC voting to approve funding for the project only with the stipulation that the proposed seasonal splash pad be in fact removed from the plans and that parking concerns be addressed," Borden said as part of the written submission she gave for the record.

Committee response and next steps: Members acknowledged the mixed views. Several CPC members — including Kristen and Ellen — urged continued neighbor engagement. Grant and others requested alternative schematics showing how smaller splash‑pad footprints would affect green space and fences, and asked the department to provide sample fencing materials and estimated costs for plantings to screen fences. Members also asked for information about drainage and the splash pad’s recycled‑water system; Travis said the pad would be designed to recycle and treat water on site.

No final CPC funding vote was taken. The committee asked Recreation to return in January with: a chart comparing original scope, money spent, remaining funds, proposed scope changes and new timelines; cost estimates for alternative pad sizes; a parking/traffic mitigation plan developed with DPW and the police chief; and proposed fencing and planting treatments. The CPC signaled it would consider the project further at its January meeting before deciding what to place on the warrant for Town Meeting.

Ending: Recreation will provide revised designs and a budget sensitivity analysis in January; the CPC held off on a final vote to allow those materials and continued neighbor engagement to inform a later decision.