For many years, the Park & Recreation Department and Department of Public Works (DPW) have identified Claxton Field as a renovation priority in the Town’s annual capital budget, aiming to improve the fields and amenities for Needham residents. The project has garnered strong support, particularly from the softball community, which has limited field options in town. 

The Town has engaged Weston & Sampson (W&S) to provide design, engineering, and environmental services. The project will rehabilitate Claxton Field with the installation of a new geotextile fabric system to cap old town dump materials, and amending existing surface materials to improve the barrier between the fabric and the grass and playing surfaces. It will also include laser grading of the fields, installation of new clay skins, upgrading existing lighting to LEDs, and installing an irrigation system. Additional improvements include an accessible looped pathway for passive recreation, plantings of native trees, wildflowers, and pollinator gardens, covered dugouts, spectator seating, fencing, warm-up areas, and replacement bases and equipment. 

For more project information please see the Claxton Field Renovation Project page. 

Project progress:  Site work is progressing the stone subbase is nearly complete, irrigation has been finished, and topsoil scraping has begun at the northern end. The first shipment of trees has arrived, and efforts to schedule power connection with Eversource are ongoing.

The High School Tennis Court and Site Improvement Project addresses the need for expanded athletic facilities and infrastructure upgrades on the high school campus. The existing four courts are insufficient to support the school’s popular tennis program or host tournaments, prompting the construction of eight new courts using post-tensioned concrete slabs—an industry-standard material known for durability, minimal maintenance, and resistance to cracking. 

The project also includes demolition of existing courts, regrading, landscaping, improved handicap accessibility throughout the site. Located on a hilltop exposed to harsh weather, the campus improvements are designed by Activitas, a firm specializing in campus planning and landscape design, and will be constructed by Argus Construction Corp, a local contractor with expertise in athletic facility projects. Work is scheduled to begin in spring 2025 and be completed before the start of school in September

The Town is investing in critical water infrastructure upgrades to ensure a reliable supply of clean drinking water and fire protection. Portions of the system, over 75 years old, are nearing the end of their lifespan and require replacement. As part of the ongoing rehabilitation program, a section of the water main between Chestnut Street and Charles River Street is being replaced with a new 16-inch pipe. A temporary bypass will maintain water service, and necessary drainage improvements will be made to minimize future disruptions. The project, which began in August 2024, is expected to be completed by summer 2025, with work pausing during the winter and resuming in the spring.

Project Progress: K&K Excavation installed the water main along South Street from #1133 to #1169, including an insertion valve and a bypass at the South Street and Charles River Street intersection. Trenches were paved. The new main from Marant Drive to #1115 was pressure tested, and the section up to #1051 passed and will be chlorinated. Water sampling will follow, and installation will continue west of #1169 South Street.

The project is largely complete in Needham and has moved to the Newton portion of the corridor. The schedule for this major infrastructure project is weather dependent and subject to change without notice. For more information on the project and to sign up for advisories and notices, please visit the website. For questions or to report issues related to construction, please contact the project team email.

MassDOT encourages drivers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes to minimize delays. Those traveling through the area should expect delays and should reduce speed and use caution. 

The schedule for this major infrastructure project is weather dependent and subject to change without notice. For more information on the project and to sign up for advisories and notices, please visit the website. For questions or to report issues related to construction, please contact the project team email.

MassDOT encourages drivers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes to minimize delays. Those traveling through the area should expect delays and should reduce speed and use caution.