An online community survey has been launched to continue gathering input for the Branford Athletic Fields Strategic Plan.

The survey, which opened May 24 and is accessible until Wednesday, June 21, follows on the heels of a first public workshop held May 16 at Branford Community House. The workshop and survey are part of a comprehensive effort to begin gathering community input and insight to help develop the plan.

The survey can also be accessed through project website, branfordathleticfacilities.com , where community members can also learn more about the project. The project team welcomes feedback, which can be emailed to branfordfields@gmail.com

As previously reported, in December, 2022, Branford’s Representative Town Meeting voted unanimously to approve a $400,000 appropriation from Branford’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund to get the ball rolling on Branford playing field consulting services.

More recently, the Town of Branford engaged BL Companies, working with community-focused sports facility consulting group the Sports Facilities Advisory, LLC (SFA), to complete a comprehensive athletic facilities strategic plan.

As noted in the survey introduction, BL Companies and SFA are undertaking the task by conducting “...comprehensive community engagement, as well as an analysis of existing recreation assets to provide recommendations, to set a direction for the future of athletics and recreation in Branford.”

The introduction additionally notes the survey “... focuses on resident responses to better understand the community's use of existing athletic assets and the potential need for future assets.”

Representatives from BL Companies and SFA also conducted the May 16 workshop. In a press release issued ahead of that workshop, Branford first selectman Jamie Cosgrove stressed that community input and insight are important components tied to the future of Branford's athletic fields.

"Whether you participate in organized league play, or recreational sports, your input is important. The plan will provide a vision and road map for future athletic field development in the town of Branford,“ said Cosgrove.

This survey should take 8 to 10 minutes to complete. Responses are anonymous.

The survey can be accessed at surveymonkey.com/r/BranfordCommunitySurvey