Town Unveils Improvements To John Burns Park Turf

MASSAPEQUA, NY — Just in time for the start of the spring Little League season, the Town of Oyster Bay unveiled the improvements it made to John Burns Park to enhance the safety and use of the park.

The two fields at the Massapequa park had a lot of work done, the town said, including artificial turf replacement and patching.

"These important safety upgrades help protect our little leaguers and others who use these fields, and the manner in which the enhancements were done also protect our taxpayers," said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. "With significant use, the fields became worn out over time. These improvements bring a facelift to the fields, thereby improving safety for players and achieving the repairs in the most cost-effective way."

Artificial turf fields have a life of about eight to 10 years, however, they are less expensive than the long-term cost of maintaining natural grass and a dirt surface. Turf fields also provide the potential for fewer cancellations as the field is able to absorb rain in ways grass fields can't. Turf replacement must be considered when loose inlays pose tripping hazards, fibers split and shred, and when inlays are worn out. When fields experience these issues, there is less cushion between the player and stone base underneath the turf. As players fall on the field, they are at a higher risk of injury.