T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program - FEIS Chapters - PVD

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluationprimary runways, and a large apron connecting all terminal and hangar buildings, and the runways andtaxiways, for maximum flexibility of movement. The expansions and addition of Runway 5R-23L in 1951reflected additional aspects of the Wood System associated with planning for airport expansion, includingseparate parallel runways for simultaneous take-offs and landings. The original configuration of the runwayand taxiway has been modified over the years. The original Runway 5L-23R is currently operating asTaxiway V.7.4.3 Recreational AreasOne public recreation area, Winslow Park (Figure 7-3), would be used by the T.F. Green Airport ImprovementProgram. Winslow Park is a 31.7-acre facility located at Greeley Avenue, primarily within the existing RPZ ofRunway 5. Twenty-six acres of the park are actively used for recreational activities. Winslow Park contains asoftball complex with six softball fields, soccer fields, two playgrounds, a concessions building and restroom, alandscaped walking path, and three parking areas. The park has two main playing field areas. The softballcomplex, which includes four full-sized softball fields and two smaller softball fields, is bounded by GreeleyAvenue on the west, Stephens Avenue on the south, Groveland Avenue on the east, and Taft and BedfordAvenues on the north. The soccer fields and passive recreational area with walking trails are approximatelybounded by Gladys Court on the west, Stephens Avenue on the south, Groveland Avenue on the east, andundeveloped land owned by RIAC on the north. The softball complex is actively used by the Apponaug GirlsSoftball League, based in the City of Warwick. One playground is located in the passive recreational area andone playground is located within the area of the softball field complex.The park is located to the south of the Runway 5 End and borders the Greenwood neighborhood, a developedresidential area of Warwick. The majority of the park is located on land owned by RIAC (27.4 acres) and twosmaller portions of the park are located on land owned by the City of Warwick (4.2 acres). The City ofWarwick’s area includes two softball fields, and a smaller 0.1-acre area of the soccer field parking lot as shownon Figure 7-3.The City of Warwick has leased the 27.4 acre area of the park for recreational use from RIAC since 1987 at a costof one dollar per year. 505 The 1987 lease agreement indicates that the land is in the “immediate proximity” to theT.F. Green State Airport and located within the Airport’s clear zone (now referred to as an RPZ). As a term ofthe lease, the City agreed to “alter, curtail, relocate or temporarily, permanently, or immediately cease its use ofthe premises upon notice from the Landlord.” 506 FAA Order 1050.1E, Appendix A at 6.2c and the EnvironmentalDesk Reference for Airport Actions (October 2007) indicate that a Section 4(f) determination is not ordinarilyrequired where land used as a recreational facility or park is temporary and interim. However, the recreationalfacilities are in active use by the public and the ownership of the facilities that make up and allow access to theWinslow Park ballfields and soccer fields is intermingled between RIAC and the City of Warwick. As a result ofthis intermingled ownership and in an abundance of caution for purposes of the EIS analysis, the FAA will treatthe entire park (including leased area) as a Section 4(f) resource.505 The land was originally leased from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation in 1987. In 1992, RIAC was formed at which time RIAC became the leaser.506 According to the lease, the landlord has the right to terminate at any time by giving at least 180 days written notice of intent. The City must remove at itscost all structures and materials, including foundations, level off surface of land and restore the property to the condition that it was in prior to Tenant’s use.Chapter 7 – Final Section 4(f)/Section 6(f) Evaluation 7-6 July 2011\\Mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH07_4(f)_JUL_2011.doc