The Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission's Design Subcommittee met at the Municipal Center on Thursday, March 23, with Deputy Director of Planning Rob Sibley from the Land Use Agency.

The committee continued its discussion on the potential design plans for the permanent memorial site located at SAC Field on Riverside Road.

Mr Sibley brought a large version of the current site survey to show the committee members the land they will be working with. With the map laid out across a table, the team used colored pencils to begin drawing out their vision of where some of the design ideas could be placed.

The group talked about the different choices for the driveway, like the option of creating a hammerhead turnaround or a roundabout for drop-offs, to make the site as accessible as possible for everybody.

A separate topographic map was also reviewed to allow members to see the elevation of the land and the location of the trees.

SHPMC's Design Subcommittee member Sarah Middeleer asked that a hybridized map of the property lines and the topographic layout be created for the design committee to have a clearer understanding of the land.

"Together these are very helpful," said Ms Middeleer.

The topic of the ponds and wetlands was brought up during the meeting, leading Mr Sibley to specify why the land has those features.

"This whole area in Sandy Hook, from Philo Curtis through to Washington [Hill Road], was all mined for Route 6," Mr Sibley explained. "Treadwell Park was mined also, that's why the big scallop where the ball fields exist."

State and local members excavated the land for gravel roughly 200 years ago, not only for Route 6, but also for various needs all across Newtown. They would scoop out what they needed, causing the land to be significantly lower in some places and thereby creating the ponds and wetlands.

Mr Sibley had further documentation from SAC Field about the excavation and detailing when the property was taken over.

He told how at one point the location was used for a local social and athletic club, which were frequently being established in the early 20th Century. The Sandy Hook group that was formed decided to use SAC Field for its recreational activities. The diving board on one of the ponds is remaining evidence of that period of time.

"Ultimately, it functioned in and of itself as a microcosm like anyone would expect a YMCA to be, where folks would come and play sports, pay a [monetary] dues; there was a code of conduct," Mr Sibley said. "It's a tremendous history with a lot of flavor to it and some interesting sagas over the years."

The Design Subcommittee members concluded that it would be beneficial to revisit the land to help with further design plans in order to look at specific areas, like the ponds.