IRVINGTON, NJ — Two softball fields in Irvington Park recently got new infields as part of a "modernization" project that just crossed the finish line, officials announced this week.
A synthetic playing surface was installed on the infields at each site, while the outfields were maintained as natural grass, officials said.
In addition to the synthetic surface infield, the softball fields received new drainage and irrigation systems, backstop and sideline fencing, player benches and dugouts, landscaping, pathway repairs and new trash receptacles and pathway benches.
Sports lighting also was installed on the soccer field to allow nighttime play.
According to the county, a professional services contract for $129,350 was awarded to French and Parello from Wall to design the improvements. A publicly bid contract for $2,221,746 was awarded to Thomas and Sons Builders LLC from Hackensack to perform the construction work. The project is being funded with a grant from the NJ Green Acres program.
Work started in June and was completed in six months.
The softball fields in Irvington Park were among the last remaining softball/baseball fields in the Essex County parks system to have all-dirt infields.
Similar work has recently been done at Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair, Yanticaw Park in Nutley, Belleville Park in Belleville, Weequahic Park in Newark and Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell/Essex Fells.
Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss and Councilman Anthony Vauss were among the local officials who gave a thumbs-up to the field upgrades.
"Our athletic fields are heavily utilized by schools, recreation programs and athletic organizations," Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo Jr. said.
"Installing a synthetic playing surface on the infields will help us maximize use of the facility, reduce maintenance and get young athletes back on the field sooner after it rains," DiVincenzo said.
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