Ball fields at parks across the parish are currently undergoing major turf upgrades. Synthetic turf systems, designed to mitigate heavy rains, are being installed.
This will result in fewer game cancellations and field drainage issues in the parish. The surfaces are also softer and smoother surfaces than grass, which means fewer injuries. Additionally, the new field surfaces will not require the maintenance that grass fields do. Synthetic turf fields will not need to be watered, mowed, and treated with pesticides, which is necessary for grass fields.
Erwinville Park was the first to undergo the upgrades. Presently, three fields at Alexander Park in Brusly are being upgraded. Three fields at Rivault Park in Port Allen and two fields at Myhand Park in Addis will also get enhancements by the end of 2023.
Recreation Director Anatole Vincent says that WBR Parks and Recreation is working to accommodate baseball and softball leagues during the construction through the use of temporary fields and moving play to other parks.
“I want to thank our administration, Parish President “PeeWee” Berthelot, and our Parish Council for supporting this project,” said Vincent. “We have prided ourselves in providing quality parks with splash pads and playgrounds, but in the turf world, we had fallen behind. This is a major step forward for our recreational facilities.”
This project will be completed by Geosurfaces, a Baton Rouge turf installation company.