Barrington Park and Recreation Commission Chairman Mike Seward shared an update about the Haines Park field improvement project recently. 

Officials are planning the construction of a new multi-purpose field at the western end of the park. 

The plan calls for the relocation of the smaller baseball diamond — the town will shift the baseball field closer to the softball field and then construct a new multipurpose field in the space closer to Haines Park Road. Other enhancements include a small concession stand and irrigation. 

Seward, reading an email from project designer Kevin Alverson, said officials were compiling the final bid documents. He said the plans would be sent to the town for review. 

The Haines plan has drawn plenty of interest from the community. During the meeting, one resident asked if there was any way the town could alter the plan in order to preserve a large oak tree located near the parking lot. The recent draft of the plan calls for the tree to be cut down.

Town officials have pledged to plant new trees at the park for any trees that are removed as part of the plan. The resident shook her head in disapproval. 

Steve Clemens, who lives near Haines Park, attended the Commission meeting and asked about the fence that will be installed along the road near the new multipurpose field.

Seward said the town will install a new split-rail fence along a section of the roadway. He said the fence is needed for safety reasons, separating people, pets and balls from the cars and trucks passing along Haines Park Road. Seward said the bottom half of the fence will include a mesh barrier to keep balls from rolling into the roadway. 

Clemens asked if there was any way the town could install three sections of fence — off-setting the fencing to allow animals and people to pass through while still creating a barrier to the roadway. 

Seward said the fence will only run for about 100 feet or so. He said anyone could pass around the edge of the fence. Still, Seward agreed to share the idea with Alverson as he puts the finishing touches on the plan.

A resident also asked about the new concession stand planned for the park. Officials said the concession stand will be small and will house the mechanicals needed for the irrigation at the field. The resident’s response: Bring in food trucks instead of having the permanent concession stand.

Officials briefly discussed the direction the relocated baseball field will face. Seward said the plan called for rotating the field about 90 degrees from its current orientation — home plate, he said, will be located closer to the parking lot. Commission members suggested the town reach out to Barrington Little League officials to check on the best practice for laying out a field.