Oakland’s Football Field to Get a New Sod Surface
In keeping with Oakland tradition, along with those of the LA Coliseum and Lambeau Field, our Edward Delmour Field will remain a natural grass surface. We all understand that due to the heavy use of the current field, an upgrade is very much needed. The Recreation Commission along with the DPW have come up with a solid plan to sod the field and follow an off-season maintenance program to keep the field looking and playing great.
There have been serious discussions about laying an artificial surface on the field, but due to the prohibitive initial cost, the cost for yearly conditioning, the cost to replace the turf in 10-15 years and the safety concerns, the commission chose to stay with a natural surface. The biggest concern though was the release of toxic fumes when an artificial turf is heated. Although football only plays on the field for 4 months, the field is used 8-months during the year. There were serious concerns about having 400 summer camp children at the complex while an artificial surface bakes in the July-August sun, and it wouldn’t be neighborly to place such a surface next to those living adjacent to the park leaving them to breath the fumes from the turf all summer long.
When given all the options, the commission is choosing to use a high-grade natural sod grass that has had a few years to root and grow. The surface is safer for preventing lower body injuries, avoids the issue listed above and will keep the complex looking great.
This idea was in discussions last year but with the COVID shut down and uncertainties, the plan was shelved for another year. The Recreation Commission has been saving trust fund monies and in keeping with the commission’s policy, will not ask the borough for any tax payer dollars to pay for the project. The plan is to shut down Field 8 mid-July through late-August to complete the project. All recreation programs including camp will be sharing space during the construction and time required for the new sod to knit.
Football and cheer sign-ups have begun, don’t forget to register and enjoy the new surface this fall.