Hackley athletes arriving on campus for preseason training found two new fields and new cross country trails available to them. Under construction for the past year, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey programs will play on two artificial turf fields installed adjacent to Pickert Field (the football field). The new Dave Allison Cross Country Trails, which incorporate some of the original Dave Allison trail system, provide a 5K competition course with an additional 1.5 K of extra loops.

With the completion of the fields, students will have seven fields on which to practice and compete, allowing a more efficient schedule, according to Hackley Headmaster Walter Johnson. “These new fields will enable our coaches to teach and prepare our students even more effectively for athletics,” Johnson said.

The fields are bounded by natural wetlands and forest, and the cross-country trails were laid out by John Morton of Morton Trails to highlight the aesthetic features of the landscape. These additions enable the School to “realize more fully the potential” of the property, according to Johnson.

The fields feature “Revolution” turf, manufactured by FieldTurf, a top of the line product whose turf is featured at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots and Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution.

The trails were designed specifically to allow spectators to view the competition, to offer challenge to athletes of all levels, and to take advantage of the character and beauty of the Hackley campus. “It’s going to get a first-class venue,” Morton said.

Construction of the athletic facilities continues. A building with locker rooms, an Athletic Training Room, and toilets will be completed shortly. Two additional sod fields will be installed after the weather cools and will be used for baseball and softball in the spring.

The new fields and trails will be celebrated by activities at the school’s Fall Sting on September 16 and 17 with home games for all varsity teams and activities for all ages.