The Town of Needham recently completed a major renovation of Claxton Field, a multiuse recreation facility. The purpose of the project was to improve the functionality and overall experience of the community space by reconfiguring several athletic fields, installing new site amenities, upgrading lighting and turf, and adding ADA-accessible walking paths and landscaping.

While this site has served as a recreational facility for nearly 60 years, it was previously the location of a burn dump. Therefore, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection required that the soil be capped and overlain by a geotextile. The geotextile was required under the athletic fields and other areas of the site based on soil testing.

MIRAFI RS380i high-performance geotextile was selected to provide tensile reinforcement and improve the long-term stability of the field and surrounding grounds. This technology integrates high modulus, separation, confinement and high water flow properties into a single solution. Additionally, the material’s distinct orange color serves as a demarcation layer, helping to clearly separate the new engineered fill from the underlying miscellaneous fill soils. This approach provided both additional structural support and an added layer of environmental protection.

Adjacent to the athletic fields is a grassy slope with a stream at the toe. During the park renovations, minor grade changes were made that steepened the slope. Significant clearing was required on portions of the slope to remove overgrown, invasive vegetation. An erosion control and slope stabilization solution was needed to protect the slope and stream below.

PROPEX Armormax was installed along the slope. Armormax is composed of High Performance Turf Reinforcement Mat (HPTRM) and earth anchors that work together to lock soil in place and protect against hydraulic stresses. This technology is also engineered to promote rapid root development, thus yielding a vegetated solution that effortlessly blends with the natural environment.

Project Details

Outstanding Achievement, 2025 Advanced Textiles Association International Achievement Awards

Fabric:PROPEX Armormax& MIRAFI RS380i, both Solmax International Inc.