Park committee presses GASPA on turf plan, seeks focus on lighting and maintenance

Visitors from the Greencastle Area Soccer/Softball/Play Association (GASPA) presented the association’s capital campaign and plans for Phase 2 field improvements, including proposed artificial turf for Horst and Zeis fields. Chris Bonillas and Emily Court described the scope of the campaign and answered questions from committee members.

Committee members asked whether programs employ “pay to play” fees that could exclude children. Bonillas and visitor Jess Duffy said the association does not turn away children who cannot pay registration fees. Committee members also asked whether the fields would remain available for public use; the presenters said Clary and Zeis fields are open for public use when not reserved for games or practices.

The committee expressed specific reservations about awarding park funds to turf. Members raised health and safety concerns and asked for a maintenance and replacement plan for artificial turf, saying they were not supportive of grant funds going to turf unless those issues were addressed. Committee members also questioned whether funds previously raised for lighting would be redirected to a turf installation; the committee said that, if funds are awarded, any award should support a lighting plan. The minutes note broader eligibility concerns about last year’s GASPA project but do not detail those concerns.

The presentation included questions about a 2025 grant GASPA received; committee members requested clarification about how that grant was used. The minutes do not record a formal decision on GASPA’s current request and indicate follow-up or further review by the committee may be required.

The meeting proceeded to other agenda items.