Turf installation begins at Glen Ellyn's Newton Park

Glen Ellyn Park District has started work on a project to install a synthetic turf athletic field at Newton Park.

The project will cost just less than $1 million, Executive Director Dave Harris said.

Harris said the district recognizes demand for outdoor fields and athletic facilities has surpassed its "inventory" and officials determined changing the upper field at Newton Park from natural grass to synthetic turf could help improve its use.

The upper field features amenities that include bleachers and a press box. It is currently used for youth football games about 30 days a year, Harris said, but that use takes a heavy toll on the grass field.

By converting it to synthetic turf, he said, the field will be available for many more activities. He said the new field will be used primarily for football in the fall, and then lacrosse, soccer and field hockey in the spring.

Because of an intergovernmental agreement, Glenbard High School District 87 athletes will be able to use the field as well.

By moving football practice away from the district's baseball fields, the project will improve those fields, as well as free up space for other sports teams at Memorial Field at Glenbard West High School.

"It kind of has a domino effect on all our athletic programs and then it will certainly help the high school," Harris said.

The turf field's installation, ongoing maintenance and future replacement will be paid for by district funds, contributions from district sports teams and proceeds from the park district's agreement with District 87.

Work on the first phase of the project is already under way and involves preparing the site and putting in drainage.

That work is expected to be completed by June 26.

The second phase will involve installing the actual turf, and then final cleanup will begin. Harris said he expects the field to be ready to use in mid-July.