A proposed $1 million replacement of the track at Jackson Park sparked discussion Thursday as the Finance Committee reviewed the town’s five-year capital improvement plan.

Department of Public Works Director Gino Cresta identified the $1 million track replacement as a priority for fiscal year 2027 during a presentation to the Capital Improvement Committee on Thursday, January 15. Committee members raised questions about the current condition of the track and what the replacement process would entail.

Finance Committee Chair Eric Hartmann said Swampscott High School’s track and field teams have been unable to host events at Jackson Park for more than a year due to the track’s condition.

“From my understanding tree roots are causing uplift in addition to surface deterioration,” said Capital Improvement Committee Member Rupinder Sembhi. “It would likely be more than resurfacing.”

Sembhi said subsurface and underlayment repairs are likely needed and that the impact on the grass field enclosed by the track should be minimal. He added that the inability to host track and field events at Jackson Park forces Swampscott teams to compete on the road, increasing travel costs.

The Select Board and Finance Committee will have the opportunity to vote on whether to recommend the project if it appears on the April 28 Town Meeting warrant.

State Rep. Jennifer Armini (D-Essex) and State Sen. Brendan Crighton (D–Third Essex) have secured $35,000 in state funding for surface upgrades at Jackson Park, Armini told the Swampscott Tides.