Littleton Track Organization

FAQ

How was the existing track built?
In 1979, a "Track Committee", formed of Booster Club members and other residents, organized an effort to construct the track. The cost of the track was $136,000, and was approved at the May ($110,000) and September ($26,000) town meetings. The track was built on school property by the high school and middle school (now Russell Street Elementary School and the Littleton Middle School). Construction began in October 1979, and was ready for the spring track season.
Who uses the track?
The track is truly a community resource. Littleton residents of all ages use the track for running, jogging, and walking. In addition, the Littleton High School and Littleton Middle School outdoor track teams use the track for daily practices and for hosting meets. An indoor track team and a cross-country club have recently been added to the athletic program, and these also use the track for training. The track is also used by physical education classes at the schools as well as some programs offered through Park & Recreation.
What's wrong with the existing track?

The existing track has large cracks, numerous breaks, and uneven surfaces. Field event areas are extremely deteriorated. You can view photos of the existing track to examine the conditions.

Synthetic surfaces used in track construction today have the ability to be repaired and maintained. The rubberized asphalt used on the existing track, which was typical for tracks built in the 1970's, has limited ability for repair and maintenace. Unfortunately, the existing track cannot simply be "patched" to bring it to a usable condition.

First and foremost these conditions pose a safety hazard to athletes and residents who use the track, and a liabiltiy issue for the town. The surface is particularly dangerous for athletes training and competing on the track, as the metal spikes they wear can easily get caught or stuck in cracks, which can result in serious injury.

Coaches and athletic directors from other schools do not want their athletes competing on our track, and Littleton has frequently had to move their home meets to the other school. Although the home meets can be moved, the track remains the only facility available for daily training.

Why now? Why not wait?

In 1979, the economic outlook was not rosy either. Some headlines from the Littleton Independent in 1979 remind us of what we see today: "Littleton Finance Committee Girds for Tighter Spending," "Superintendent Sees Bleak Outlook," "Selectmen Promise No New Hiring." Despite this, the town recognized the need for a track that would benefit both the student-athletes and the town, and voted overwhelmingly in favor of constructing a track.

The current conditions of the track pose a safety issue for residents and athletes who use it, and a liability issue for the town.

In addition, the bid process would be very competitive in this environment, and we could expect a noticeable cost savings.

Didn't we just pay for a new middle school and high school? Why don't we have a new track?
A new track was outside the scope of both the high school construction (LHS opened 2001) and the middle school construction (LMS opened 2006) projects. The costs for a new track would not have been eligible for reimbursement from the Commonwealth.
Littleton Track Organization  • info@littletontrack.org  • Littleton, Massachusetts