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Foote Park Transfer is Win-Win

With a unanimous vote on Dec. 16, Branford's Board of Selectmen has acquired Foote Park and Foote Riverside Park for the town from Foote Family Trust. The win-win decision locks in valuable public recreational spaces for generations to come, while honoring the legacy of Wallace "Wally" Foote.

The Wallace A. Foote Family Charitable Trust, established with Foote's 1966 will, earmarks a portion of its income to serve Branford's residents with parks and recreational space. According to papers filed in Branford probate court in October, the Trust sought to divest itself of the properties by essentially handing the land and maintenance over to the town; while staying true to Foote's wishes by continuing to allocate monies (as seen fit  by the Trust) for park use.

While current Foote Trust assets exceed over $10 million, town ownership brings a huge economy of scale to what has become a major annual cost to Foote Trust: park maintenance. With the parks in the town's hands, the Trust is relieved of approximately $340,000 in annual Foote Park/Foote Riverside Park maintenance expenses.

Branford Parks and Recreation Director Alex Palluzzi outlined several positive outcomes that will arrive fast on the heels of the transfer. Initial plans will seek Trust funding to improve playing and safety conditions by resurfacing Foote Park's four hard-court tennis courts (the other eight courts are clay) and basketball court. Replacing fencing and renovating the park's fenced-in softball field is another fix on the immediate horizon.

Palluzzi said the hardcourt upgrades together with the softball fencing and field fix is an estimated $250,000 expense.

Going forward, Branford Recreation Commission will oversee programming and use of the parks. One major change would be creating a year-round facility out of Foote Park, which has traditionally closed for the winter months.  From adding a temporary ice rink to partnering with a local ski shop to bring in cross-country skiing, Palluzzi is excited about the opportunities for future winter recreation at Foote Park.

At Foote Riverside Park (Pine Orchard Road), warm weather waterside programs such as fishing, boating, canoeing and kayaking classes are part of Branford Recreation's vision for new programming.  Meanwhile, Foote Park would be ideal for springtime Easter Egg Hunts, a community garden,  Fourth of July Fireworks community picnics, night-time star gazing, outdoor movie nights, and Halloween "Trunk or Treat" among other ideas put together by Parks and Rec in an overview presented to the BOS.

Located on Melrose Avenue, Foote Park's 44.6 acres includes three softball fields, two playgrounds, an all-purpose playing/practice field, 12 lighted tennis courts, a basketball court, track, lighted walking trail (approximately one mile, with new lighting added last year), a sand volley court, wooden public pavilion, utility garage, offices and restrooms and on-site parking. The propery neighbors town-owned Indian Neck School and Sliney Field, which includes two little league baseball fields among its four ball fields, a tee ball field and four junior soccer fields.

"I think the whole area, from Indian Neck School to Sliney Field, with Foote Park, really ties in; so generations will enjoy it forever," said Palluzzi.

First Selectman James B. Cosgrove said the transfer of the properties to the town, with continued support from the Foote Trust, will bring about improvements to key recreational spaces that will benefit the community for years to come.

"I think this is a great opportunity," said Cosgrove. "Since this first was presented to us there was concern (about) some of the improvements (needed).... it requires the principal to do that. We want to ensure that the Trust is sustainable long-term, and that the income that it pulls off not only to benefits the park but the town (and) the community of Branford. By us taking control; it ensures that."

Cosgrove also noted that, since the Town of Branford was first approached by the Trust with the divestiture offer, "...since Day One, I feel that feedback I've received (from) many citizens that have contacted me is we want to ensure that this remains a recreational park. That same assurance isn't necessarily there under the ownership of the Trust.  The enjoyment for the citizens of Branford is having it as a recreational park. This ensures, for generations to come, the enjoyment of that park."