Norwalk council approves grass outfields and clay infields for Broad River baseball complex after heated turf debate

The Norwalk Common Council on June 24 authorized staff to finish the design for the proposed Broad River Baseball Complex and to proceed toward contracting with a plan that uses natural grass outfields and clay infields, after an extended public discussion about the environmental and health risks of artificial turf.

The vote follows more than two hours of public participation in which parents, youth players, coaches, environmental groups and nearby residents urged the council either to approve turf for playability and lower maintenance or to reject turf because of potential impacts on groundwater and the Norwalk River. Council members said they weighed those competing concerns before supporting the grass-and-clay option.

The debate centered on three issues: children’s access and safety, long-term maintenance and cost, and potential contamination of a nearby aquifer and downstream shellfish areas. Supporters of a synthetic infield said turf would reduce rainouts, extend the season and lower annual maintenance costs. Opponents cited studies and letters from public-health researchers and watershed groups warning that some artificial fields contain PFAS and microplastics that can enter stormwater and groundwater in sensitive areas.

"If there was one iota of risk, which there is, why would you risk public health, especially when it's not necessary?" said Kara Jennings, a Broad River neighborhood resident. Jennings said parking, amplified noise and light from a larger athletic complex also would harm nearby households.

"We have proposed a hybrid solution ... a synthetic turf infield and natural grass everywhere else," said Tyler Fairbairn, speaking for Norwalk Youth Baseball. "It is preferred by Parks and Recreation ... It is easier for them to maintain," Fairbairn said, adding that clay infields require far more staff and time to keep playable.

Parks staff presented project scope, cost estimates and a timeline. The current preliminary construction estimate for the broad project is approximately $9,085,358, the Parks representative said; that figure includes a 15 percent contingency and multiple site improvements beyond playing surfaces (drainage, parking and support facilities). Funding sources reported by staff include a $2.6 million DEP grant secured at the state level, $3.5 million from the city's 2021–25 capital program and roughly $3 million in DPW drainage-improvement funds. Parks estimated annual maintenance for three clay infields at about $170,760 (approximately $56,920 per field) and indicated the city would need one full-time specialized grounds employee (salary and benefits estimated at about $82,000) plus a part-time assistant.

Robert Stowers, a parks department staff member, told the council the DEP grant must be spent on the project on the current schedule or it will be lost, and that the design is at about 95 percent and ready to be finalized for procurement. He also said that replacing a synthetic infield later would be materially cheaper to remove than replacing a full-size synthetic football field: current removal estimates provided during the meeting showed roughly $0.48 per square foot for removal if recycled, and the three infield areas proposed for synthetic surfacing total about 22,000 square feet (about 11 percent of the total 200,000-square-foot site).

Environmental speakers cited scientific reviews and local testing. "Any look at the science available outside of the claims from manufacturers suggests a strong likelihood that the presence of these fields in drinking water off of a protection zone ... potentially puts our drinking water at risk," said Louise Washer (represented by the Norwalk River Watershed Association during public comment), who urged caution because Broad River Park sits within a state aquifer protection zone.

Council members who supported the grass-and-clay design said the site’s location in an aquifer protection area and concerns for downstream shellfish and drinking-water wells weighed heavily. Several council members — while sympathetic to youth-sports advocates — said the city must also ensure protection of public water resources and follow a cautious approach in sensitive locations.

The council voted to authorize completion of the grass-outfield/clay-infield design and to allow staff to proceed to procurement at the appropriate time. Staff said they will return to the council with a procurement result and a proposed contract for final council authorization before funds are expended.

Votes at a glance: the meeting also approved the consent calendar (multiple purchases and agreements), the reappointment of Sharon Connors as purchasing agent, and an $800,000 agreement to fund senior-center services; those items passed by voice vote and were recorded by the clerk as unanimous. The Broad River design authorization was recorded as approved by the council; the meeting minutes reflect a voice vote in favor and the item will return with contract figures for formal approval.

Council members and staff agreed to provide follow-up materials requested during the meeting, including: (1) a traffic study and parking plan for the Broad River site; (2) the parks maintenance and staffing plan showing how the department would fund and schedule the specialized grounds staff; and (3) additional scenarios and line-item estimates for alternatives (for example, a hybrid turf-infield scenario) so the council can review exact procurement figures before final contracting.

The authorization advances the Broad River project to contract bidding and preserves a $2.6 million DEP grant the city must spend on the schedule provided by the grant. Parks staff said the goal remains to complete the broader site work and have new fields available for the next spring season if procurement and construction follow the expected timeline.

The council's approval applies to the design/procurement authorization only; it does not yet commit the council to sign a construction contract. Staff will return with vendor bids, final costs and a recommended contract for formal approval before funds are spent.