FAA approves $6 million for relocation of Winslow Park fields

Posted 6/17/14

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved $6,094,017 to pay for relocating recreational ball fields at Winslow Park to a new area near T.F. Green Airport and to continue work on …

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FAA approves $6 million for relocation of Winslow Park fields

Posted

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved $6,094,017 to pay for relocating recreational ball fields at Winslow Park to a new area near T.F. Green Airport and to continue work on expansion projects for Runway 5-23. 

In 2011, the FAA approved plans for T.F. Green to extend the primary runway, Runway 5-23, to the south by 1,530 feet to a total length of 8,700 feet. The longer runway will allow for larger, heavier planes, which could mean West Coast and international flight options for travelers. As part of this overall improvement plan, the airport and Warwick reached an agreement to move the ball fields to a safer location that would make room for the longer runway.

This latest installment of FAA funds will provide funding for the Winslow Park ball fields relocation, which includes the construction of four regulation soft ball fields, two practice soft ball fields, three soccer fields, walking trails, and a new concession stand. Additionally, the project includes a state-of-the-art ‘Tot Lot’ to replace the existing one being demolished by the relocation of Main Avenue. The work is being done by J.H. Lynch & Sons, Inc., and construction is expected to be completed by the end of June 2015, with the total cost of the project estimated to be about $6.6 million.

“The Winslow fields are used by hundreds of children every year, and are home to two of our largest recreational groups, Warwick Firefighters Soccer and the Apponaug Girls Softball league,” Mayor Scott Avedisian said. “Relocation of those fields was among the city’s many concerns throughout discussions of runway expansion and safety improvements at T.F. Green. We are very pleased that this funding has been issued so that we can continue to provide exceptional recreational opportunities to our youth – and at a modern facility that will be a great asset for our residents. I thank Senator Reed and our congressional delegation for helping to secure this funding, and Dr. Hittner, Kelly Fredericks and the team at RIAC for continuing to work with the city to address issues of concern as expansion projects move forward.”  

Councilwoman Camille Vella-Wilkinson of Ward 3 was gratified by the announcement.

“Our city planner has said that the new Winslow Sports Complex will also increase the value of the homes nearby.  Many families look for property in close proximity to parks and fields where their children can play and compete in a safe area.  I believe the stores and restaurants in that section of Ward 3 will also benefit by the increased patronage. This is all part of the multiplier effect the airport has on our local economy. Warwick is so fortunate that Senator Reed and our other federal delegates have taken an active interest in ensuring the project comes to fruition. This has been an exceptionally satisfying partnership,” said Vella-Wilkinson in a statement.

Comments

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  • dickcoutu

    I'm afraid I must disagree with the city planner's assessment in regard to increases in value of homes nearby. It may (or may not) be true many families look for property in close proximity to parks and fields where their children can play but on the other hand, I'm not sure how many families want to actually live so close to an airport. I guess that is why she/he is the city planner...

    For those who aren't aware, this area is where once many homes existed until the R.I.A.C. offered to buy them out because of noise congestion and other factors associated with an airport.

    On another note, I'm still waiting to see Councilwoman Camille Vella-Wilkinson's plan on how she is going to minimize or divert the neighborhood traffic to Lake Shore Drive and Cedar Swamp Road from Warwick Avenue to the ball fields.

    This ought to be good!

    Tuesday, June 17, 2014 Report this

  • RichardLangseth

    How can Camille Vella-Wilkinson claim this would be good for the neighborhood (possibly because interstate tournament traffic will be directed to Airport Road away from the neighborhood) and then claim "I believe the stores and restaurants in that section of Ward 3 will also benefit by the increased patronage." Huh.

    Tuesday, June 17, 2014 Report this

  • patientman

    The fields better be great at that cost. If it was private money this would be done a lot cheaper.

    Wednesday, June 18, 2014 Report this

  • patientman

    As far as home values go it depends on the quality of the park. If the park is well maintained it should be good for the neighborhoods. I would certainly think being close to City Park would help home values.

    Wednesday, June 18, 2014 Report this

  • bloodhound

    Scott Avedisian said, "I thank Senator Reed and our congressional delegation for helping to secure this funding, and Dr. Hittner, Kelly Fredericks and the team at RIAC for continuing to work with the city to address issues of concern as expansion projects move forward.”

    ADDRESS THE ISSUES? THEY HAVE NOT AND WILL NOT ADDRESS THE MAIN ISSUE THAT THE SITE IS TOXIC. THEY SIMPLY SAID THEY DO NOT AGREE WITH FINDINGS OF OTHERS IN THE SCIENTIFIC AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS. PLAYING AT THAT LOCATION AND INHALING THE JET FUMES SO CLOSE TO THE MAIN RUNWAY WILL RESULT IN INCREASED HEALTH RISK TO THE CHILDREN WHO PLAY THERE. ALL OF THEM (REED, AVEDISIAN, VELLA-WILKENSON, FREDERICKS, DR. HITTNER) CONTINUE TO LIE TO THE PUBLIC AND THE LEAGUES, THE PARENTS, AND CHILDREN, BY CONTINUING TO HIDE THE TRUTH ABOUT INCREASED HEALTH RISKS AT THAT LOCATION, IF YOU ARE A CARING PARENT - DO NOT LET YOUR KIDS PLAY THERE. WE'VE HAD ATLANTIC TUBING AND RUBBER, CIBA-GEIGY, TRUCK-AWAY LANDFILL, AND NOW THEY ARE GOING TO BUILD A HAZARDOUS SITE TO LET CHILDREN DO CARDIOVASCULAR EXERCISE IN THE WAKE OF JET EXHAUST KNOWN TO INCREASE CARDIOVASCULAR RISK, LESIONS AND CAUSE LEARNING DISABILITIES. YES, REED, AVEDISIAN AND VELLA-WILKENSON ARE REALLY ON THE BALL PROTECTING YOU, IF SCOTT HAD THE BALLS OF PUTTING HIS CONSTITUENTS FIRST, HE'D HOLD UP THE RUNWAY UNTIL THEY FOUND A TRULY COMPATIBLE SITE OUTSIDE THE INFLUENCE OF AIRPORT RELATED CHEMICALS KNOWN TO CAUSE CANCER, PREMATURE CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND LEARNING DISABILITIES.

    DO NOT LET YOU CHILDREN PLAY THERE.

    AS FOR THE HOME VALUES, THEY ALREADY ACQUIRED HOMES IN THAT AREA BECAUSE THE AREA IS NOT FIT OR COMPATIBLE FOR RESIDENTIAL LIVING.

    AS FOR THE LARGER AND HEAVIER JETS THEY DREAM OF? THE TREND HAS BEEN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO SMALLER REGIONAL AIRCRAFT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FILL ENOUGH SEATS ON THE MEDIUM SIZED AIRCRAFT. AS FOR WEST COAST FLIGHTS, WE ALREADY HAVE THEM AND YES THEY DO STOP TO DROP OFF AND ADD PASSENGERS AS THAT IS THE ONLY WAY THE AIRLINES CAN FILL ENOUGH SEATS TO MAKE MONEY. REMEMBER, THERE HAVE BEEN LARGE AIRCRAFT FLY NON-STOP FROM TF GREEN TO THE WEST COAST. MORE BOLONEY FROM THE PROMOTERS..

    Wednesday, June 18, 2014 Report this

  • patientman

    Bloodhound, Serious allegations. Can you cite the scientists that have said its a toxic site and unfit for children to play there. Take this to CNN if Tim White won't run with it. Put the new fields at Rocky Point.

    Thursday, June 19, 2014 Report this

  • RichardLangseth

    The existing air quality monitor is right next to the proposed fields and Tot Park. It logs crappy air every day - especially during the afternoons in the warm season exactly when these fields would be used. The Logan Airport study published three weeks ago shows big problems even miles from the airport. For those in Winthrop across a little bay from Runway 9-27 at Logan (the dominant take off runway (7,000 feet - same length as Green's existing runway)) it's cough... cough... cough. Mike Zarum inspired that study. All parents of young children should listen to him. The RIAC board should do that too, especially the member who makes toys for tots. Once the results of this air quality monitor at Green become public the tunes of a lot of officials will change!

    Thursday, June 19, 2014 Report this

  • dickcoutu

    Just heard the other day July 28th there will only be one way in and one way out from Airport Road. Can someone verify this please? I heard they're going to permanently close or block off access to both Wells and Rowe Avenues.

    Thursday, July 31, 2014 Report this