Work Begins On New Alps Road Athletic Fields

WAYNE, N.J. — Work has begun constructing town athletic fields on a 12-acre tract of land on Alps Road.

Trees were cut down down on the land recently. Lacrosse, soccer and softball teams will be played on the fields and there will be parking for 200 vehicles. The fields will have lights so games can be played at night.

Mayor Chris Vergano said he anticipates the fields will be able to be used for the fall athletic season.

The entrance to the parking lots will be off of Alps Road on the road that cuts behind the Walgreens and Faces Plus.

The township purchased the land for $4.5 million in 2006 with grants from the state’s Green Acres program and the county. Planning for the project began in 2013. The fields will replace the ones in Sheffield Park, which were damaged and closed due to flooding.

Some residents who live near the property expressed concern that the project would increase area traffic and that lights on the fields would disrupt their quality of life.

"We are excited to provide another outdoor facility for our young people to use while playing sports with the great recreation programs offered in our town," Vergano said.

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