Should Field of Dreams Project in Gloucester Township be Considered for Turf Field?

The attached photo is a Patch file photo from the Field of Dreams project groundbreaking in April of 2013.

Gloucester Township, NJ -- It’s been nearly three years to the day since Gloucester Township officials broke ground on the Field of Dreams project at the Community Park on Hickstown Road.

The Field of Dreams is a proposed handicapped-accessible baseball field at Community Park on Hickstown Road in the township’s Erial section.

It is designed to accommodate baseball and softball players with physical and mental disabilities.

In addition to other upgrades from the typical ball field, the Field of Dreams includes an artificial-surface infield to make it easier for those in wheelchairs and walkers to play the game.

The groundbreaking was in April of 2013. As of last year, over $100,000 had been raised for the construction of the field. However, a post on the Gloucester Township website at the time said much more was needed.

In January, council approved a pair of ordinances for a total of $2.9 million that calls for the installation of artificial turf at Community Park, but the Field of Dreams isn’t included in this project. Three fields at Community Park and a mixed use field at the Sports Complex at Valleybrook on Little Gloucester Road, which was approved out of a high demand for lacrosse and field hockey fields, according to Business Administrator Tom Cardis.

At the March 28 meeting, Gloucester Township Republican Municipal Committee Chairman Ray Polidoro questioned why Field of Dreams wasn’t part of the plans, and suggested the township consider adding it to its plans.

“Field of Dreams would be great for this year,” Polidoro said. “I believe it would be more advantageous this year because these kids may not be able to play next year or the year after that.”

Polidoro pointed out that the physical abilities of some of the children who would be able to take advantage of the Field of Dreams have diminished even since the 2013 groundbreaking, and that one year can make a world of difference.

“You make some excellent points and I think we should revisit that idea,” Gloucester Township Council President Orlando Mercado said.

Mercado said at the meeting he would discuss the issue with Mayor David Mayer.

In a follow-up email with Patch, Mercado said he discussed jumpstarting the project briefly with the mayor and Cardis.

“I haven't been intimately involved with this project. I don't have an actual amount of how much has been raised,” Mercado said. “I want to know what has been raised and get an estimate of what the total cost would be to complete the project.”

He said council and the administration would work together on the project, but it wouldn’t be part of the same artificial turf project.

Mayer didn’t respond to phone messages requesting comment for this story.

What do you think? Should the township considered Field of Dreams for the turf field project? Is it time to jumpstart the project, or are you happy with the status of the project? Let us know in the comments.