New Rowland Park Turf Fields Expected to Open in 2014

A project to add two turf baseball fields to Rowland Park could be completed by this Fall, however township officials said the fields are expected to begin play next year.

At last week's meeting, the Township Council approved the $760,000 project project unanimously during a second reading of the ordinance. No residents spoke about the project during the public portion of the hearing.

The township will go out to bond for $361,000 from the Open Space Trust Fund, while Middlesex County will match South Brunswick's contribution from county open space funds.

"We've had experience with this from the turf soccer and lacrosse field on Culver Road at Tall Timbers Park," said Public Affairs Coordinator Ron Schmalz last month. "These fields allow for continuous play, water is easily drained and they're very low maintenance. It's been a huge success and that's why we went for two more fields."

In 2011, the council passed a bond ordinance for $432,250 for a turf baseball field and a multi-use convertible field, with Middlesex County also providing funds for the estimated $1.5 million total cost.

The township will now go out to bid on the project with no time frame for the start and completion dates for the work available yet.