The resurfacing of Miller Playfield with synthetic turf continues. Previous reports are here and here.
I returned from vacation to find that the field had turned green, and that crews were busy installing the assorted colored lines for the assorted sports: soccer, baseball and lacross (the red lines). The lower Miller parking lot, formerly full of rolls of FieldTurf, is now taken up with about 50 enormous (marked 3000 lbs) bags of something! Some have what looks like ground-up tires spilling out of them, but it’s more complicated than that.
Surprisingly (to me, at least) the synthetic turf goes down first, then the “infilll” is added on top! Project Manager Ted Holden notes:
FieldTurf crews are making good progress with their installation. They expect to complete the inlay of the lines and begin to infill by Thursday. This should take about a week weather depending. To expedite the process and to reduce a safety concern I’ve had, I given permission to completely close off the ‘bike path” running east/west by the gymnasium so the infill materials can be moved onto the path and the asphalt area between the basketball court and the gymnasium. This should speed up the process and get the field open sooner than if the fork lifts had to run between the field and the north parking lot where the material is now stored. By moving the material closer to the field by extra crew now, that will reduce the hurried traffic past the play area and basketball court during the infill process. It is only for a short period and will expedite the project in the long run.
He then notes:
Parks usually does not do opening celebrations for Major Maintenance projects. However if the community really, really wants something, I’m sure we can arrange a small function. Please let me know your thoughts on this.
I, in turn, invite you to send me your thoughts (maybe check with your sports-playing friends), and I’ll pass them on to Ted. (E-mail Andrew)
That artificial turf stuff stinks – literally. When you walk by it at the Bobby Morris Playfield (by Cal Anderson Park), there’s the whiff of old tires heating up in the sun. How anyone can run around and play sports on it without feeling sick is a mystery to me. It also looks dirty, like it needs to be vacuumed.
Having played on dirt for years I welcome my new recycled turf overlords. Once you get running you don’t notice anything. Except of course, for the lack of sand in your nose, and the fact that your feet don’t get tripped up in large pot holes. Oh and the ball moves correctly. And its soft to land on. When its wet you can slide tackle without pebbles ripping large holes in your legs.
I could keep going on.
Basically its all I’ve been able to do to keep myself and my daughter from hopping the fence and going for a run.
Me too. We should start working on the pick-up game lobbying. Might be fun to have a CHS field day when it opens for use. I’ll make a few calls.
I could get at least 3 or 4 other folks for some footy. Most likely more. Count me in.
I would also be instantly down for some pick up the moment this glorious field opens. Smells or no.