Country Fair 2023: The New Turf Field

By Paul Kung ’24

Article from the Country Fair 2023 Hearth Issue

As many of us have seen, this year we have a brand new turf field, located inside the track. The construction of the turf field started in the first week of June, and the field was finally playable by the start of sports this Fall, just a few days after the start of school.

Having a synthetic turf field allows our teams to be active and/or play games if other field conditions are not playable. The synthetic turf field can also be used during the winter months, as long as there is not a lot of snow, and it will most likely be the first field available to play on this spring while the other fields are still drying out.

Right now, the turf field is being used for Varsity and JV Football practices, with both teams hosting games there. I am on the Varsity Football team, and playing on turf makes for a much more consistent and even field than grass. It plays very similarly in all conditions, and rainy days are no longer treks and slogs through ankle-deep mud. It allows us to continue practicing even when weather conditions are bad and to maintain a grip on all but the wettest days. The turf also requires almost no maintenance; no mowing or taking care of the grass, and there is no need to repaint lines every time it rains. With the field lined for football, soccer, and lacrosse it also gives athletics scheduling flexibility.