Stay Off Berlin's Athletics Fields: Rec Department

BERLIN, CT — Berlin recreation officials are telling folks and their children to, literally, stay off their lawns.

Of course, doing so is necessary these months as playing and utilizing town athletic fields before they are ready can result in damaged grass and poor field quality later in the spring and summer, officials said in a public announcement issued this week.

Donna Bovee, chairperson of the Berlin Parks and Recreation Commission, issued a public call for people to help the town out prior to the warm weather sports seasons.

"The parks and recreation commission needs your help," wrote Bovee. "To ensure the playing fields are in good shape for spring and summer play, we strongly urge everyone (children and adults) to not utilize athletic fields until the fields are publicly opened by the parks and recreation department."

Last year, she said, town facilities were significantly damaged, including Berlin soccer fields, baseball fields and softball fields.

Bovee said people were playing on them before they were ready and damaging the turf, including one instance where a vehicle was even driven on the field.

This all resulted in fields full of damaged turf, track marks and ruts, she said.

"We will hold those responsible for any damage accountable to the the extent we are able to identify them," Bovee wrote.

Mostly, the town is just asking for the public's help and looking to appeal to residents's sense of civic pride.

"Please help us provide playing fields that we can all be proud of and minimize our costs o maintain," Bovee said.

For more information on the Berlin Parks and Recreation Department, click on this link.