Miller Playfield resurfacing update

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)