Branford Parks and Recreation Department undertook several improvement projects last fall that are going to be very noticeable – and appreciated – as warmer weather brings residents out to enjoy the Town's Foote Memorial Park and Veterans Memorial Park facilities.

"We had three major projects that we did," said Parks and Recreation Director Alex Palluzzi Jr., who thanks First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, Town Engineer John Hoefferle and Assistant Town Engineer Jen Acquino and Public Work Supervisor Gary Zielinski for assistance with all of the the projects.

Two of the projects are at Foote Memorial Park, including a full renovation of park restrooms and extensive upgrades to the park's 12 tennis courts and surrounds. The third project renovated the basketball court at Veterans Memorial Park.

Basketball Court Renovation at Veterans Memorial Park

Basketball court renovation was completed last fall at Veterans Memorial Park at 102 Brushy Plain Road, where the courts are now painted in "Branford colors," said Palluzzi, describing the notable Hornets Red. 

The work was undertaken by contractors including Hinding Tennis LLC (West Haven); Maisano Brothers (Northford)  and Sherwood Landscaping (Wallingford),  together with maintenance staff support by members of Branford Public Works and Branford Parks and Recreation.

Restroom and Tennis Court Upgrades at Foote Park

Located at the end of Melrose Avenue and first opened to the public 50 years ago, Foote Memorial Park, together with Foote Riverside Park (Pine Orchard Road) was sold to the Town of Branford in 2015 for $1 through an agreement reached with the Foote Family Trust. The Trust continues to oversee an endowment which allows for a portion of income to be distributed annually to maintain and operate the parks. The Town, which owns, operates and maintains the parks, makes yearly grant applications to the Trust for funding for park needs.

The Foote Family Trust recently provided $168,000 to the Town to renovate and restore Foote Parks restrooms. The newly renovated restrooms, opening for the first time this spring, feature an ADA compliant ramp as well as other improvements such as a sitting wall and bottle filling station.  Architect Joseph Sepot of Branford designed the project, with work completed by general contractor Tomlinson-Hawley-Patterson (Trumbull). Palluzzi also thanks Branford Building Inspector Anthony Ciancola for his assistance.

With the help of an additional $175,000 from the Foote Trust, many improvements were undertaken at Foote Park's 12 tennis courts and completed last fall. The entire tennis court area has been surrounded with new fences, and new poles and gates have also been installed. In addition, the courts are lit by 19 completely restored lighting poles, including new LED fixtures and lighting.

Foote's four asphalt hardcourts have received new surfacing and drainage (including a rain garden) as well as new poles and netting, painting and line painting for tennis, youth tennis tournaments and Pickle Ball.  Foote's eight clay tennis courts have been resurfaced and given new vinyl lining, netting and a new irrigation system.

Contractors for the Foote Park courts restoration and irrigation work were Hinding Tennis LLC and Maisano Brothers as well as D&O Excavating LLC (Branford) and R.A. Torre Painting Contractors (Branford), with maintenance staff support provided by members of Branford Public Works and Branford Parks and Recreation.

Additional funding for the renovation projects included $10,000 provided by the Town of Branford and $50,000 provided by Branford Parks and Recreation Department.

This spring, working with Branford Community Forest Commission and Branford Tree Warden Gary Zielinski, plans call for further developing Foote Park's passive recreation viewing are to include shade trees, flora, benches, a walking path and pollinator garden, said Palluzzi.