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Parks director proposes two part‑time year‑round attendants and optional $2.4M turf conversion for soccer fields
Summary
Parks & Rec Director Jim Spina asked council to convert two seasonal attendants into two year‑round part‑time attendants to reduce overtime and to consider converting two flagship soccer fields to synthetic turf (Field 1: $1.3M; Field 2: $1.0M; total $2.4M). He also requested netting replacement for baseball fields and splash‑pad feature updates.
Parks & Recreation Director Jim Spina presented the department’s FY26 operations and capital requests, recommending two year‑round part‑time park attendants — replacing seasonal positions — and outlining a $2.4 million optional conversion of two Harrisburg Park soccer fields to synthetic turf.
Spina said the part‑time attendants would run weekend and event setups, reduce overtime for full‑time staff and allow skilled staff to focus on larger maintenance tasks. The request would replace the existing pattern of two year‑round attendants plus two 10‑week seasonal attendants; the part‑time positions would be year‑round and increase the parks’ ability to prep fields for Friday night games and special events.
Synthetic turf proposal
Spina discussed challenges maintaining Bermuda grass fields under heavy youth‑soccer usage (about 1,400 kids per season; ~2,800 annually) and said converting Fields 1 and 2 to FieldTurf could add playing capacity equivalent to three grass fields. He presented vendor pricing that estimates Field 1 at about $1.3 million and Field 2 at about $1.0 million — a combined $2.4 million — and noted FieldTurf offers a two‑year invoicing option that would invoice Field 1 in FY26 and Field 2 in FY27 with no interest. He also described maintenance tradeoffs (weekly inspections, grooming every ~40 hours of play and periodic sanitization) and noted a replacement life that depends on use.
Spina said advantages include reduced routine maintenance (no mowing, irrigation or fertilizer), more year‑round availability and potential revenue from rentals during off‑peak times; disadvantages include heat concerns on turf surfaces, lifecycle replacement costs and ongoing periodic maintenance of infill and grooming.
Other capital requests
Spina also requested replacing the netting system at Harrisburg Elementary baseball fields; he described a longer‑lived, UV‑resistant net that would extend protection where balls currently fly over existing fencing. He asked for an update of splash‑pad features (rotating modular features) and said the project is intended to refresh the amenity rather than repair a nonfunctional system.
Council questions and process
Council members asked about environmental and health debates over turf, heat impacts, comparative maintenance costs, opportunities to seek sponsorships and whether alternative field expansions or partnerships with schools could meet demand. Town staff said the master plan options include a range of strategies (build additional grass fields, convert to turf, or cap registration) and that a final recommendation would appear in Draft 2 after further vetting and competitive bidding.
What’s next
Spina’s turf proposal and attendant positions will be included in the council’s budget exercise and Draft 2 priorities. No final decisions or votes were taken at the workshop.
Ending
The parks presentation framed the turf conversion as a capacity and reliability solution for heavy youth use; council members asked for additional vetting on environmental, health and long‑term maintenance implications before committing capital funds.
