Field Closures

Summer Renovations

The City performs annual summer turf renovations on the sports fields from June to August to repair the highly used turf areas. Specifically, these renovations include dethatching, aerating, fertilizing, topdressing, seeding, sod replacement, irrigation repairs, and improvements to prepare the fields for upcoming seasons. Soccer fields are closed from June 1 through August 15 while baseball fields close on July 1 for renovations. Although the City has considered staggering renovations, the adopted schedule accommodates both the needs of the league and weather conditions necessary to complete this annual project Several back-to-back renovation periods of greater than 8 weeks does not allow sufficient time for the turf to establish and presents complications for leagues to schedule games.

Fencing and signage are installed on the fields to notify the public that the fields are closed. During the renovation period, no play is allowed on the fields in order to allow new grass to grow. The renovation process takes approximately 10 weeks to complete. During that time, the City will use 2 to 4 weeks to complete work on the fields and 6 to 8 weeks to allow new grass to grow and establish. It is critical that the fields be given sufficient time to grow so they can withstand upcoming use.

The City installed synthetic turf fields at the Lake Forest Sports part to provide year-round soccer play while still allowing for the necessary natural turf field renovations. Therefore, there are opportunities for major sports to play through the summer renovations. Additionally, all open areas surrounding the turf fields and the City's 20 other parks are open for public use during the renovation period.