Improvents to Sullivan Field

NJ Society of Municipal Engineers
Project of the Year

PROJECT HISTORY:

The Borough of Carteret was in need of improvements to Sullivan Field, the only full sized baseball field located within the Municipality. Located within Carteret Park, the Borough's largest Municipal Park, Sullivan Field plays host to the Borough's High School Varsity and Junior Varsity baseball teams as well as numerous athletic organizations including the Babe Ruth League and adult softball leagues.

The existing ball field was in disrepair, the clay infield and insufficient stormwater drainage system on the existing grass outfield required daily maintenance and considerable amount of labor from the Borough personnel. Unfortunately, any rain event could cancel a scheduled game and consistently disappointed the many users of the facility.

CLIENT REQUIREMENTS:

• END THE MAGNITUDE OF CANCELLED BALL GAMES
• LESSEN THE AMOUNT OF TIME BOROUGH EMPLOYEES SPEND MAINTAINING THE FIELD
• DESIGN A FACILITY THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE MULTIPLE SCHOLASTIC TEAMS AND BOROUGH ATHLETIC ORGANIZATIONS
• ASSIST IN SEEKING ALTERNATIVE PROJECT FUNDING
• DESIGN THE FACILITY TO BE AESTHETICALLY PLEASING AND PROVIDE AMENITIES THAT WILL COMPLIMENT THE LOCAL PARK AND RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY
• HAVE FACILITY CONSTRUCTED AND READY PRIOR TO THE HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SEASON

UNIQUE OR UNUSUAL DESIGN FEATURES:

• DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED SYNTHETIC TURF HIGH SCHOOL REGULATION BASEBALL FIELD COMPLETE WITH A STORMWATER UNDERDRAIN SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS FOR PROPER DRAINAGE AND IS READY FOR PLAY SHORTLY AFTER A RAIN EVENT
• INCLUSION OF STRIPING FOR HIGH SCHOOL REGULATION SOCCER, AND ADULT SOFTBALL LEAGUE TO MAXIMIZE THE USE OF THE FACILITY AND HELP EASE THE BOROUGH DEMAND FOR FIELDS
• SITE PERIMETER VINYL COATED FENCING OF VARIOUS HEIGHTS WITH BALLSTOPPER NETTING IN CRITICAL AREAS TO CONTAIN THE PLAY OF THE FACILITY AND LIMIT RUNAWAY BALLS
• BOROUGH IDENTIFICATION THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY THROUGH THE USE OF FENCING WINDSCREENS AND SYNTHETIC TURF LOGO'S
• FAST TRACK CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SCHEDULE TO HAVE FACILITY READY FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SEASON

THE RESULT:

Through the innovative design and construction management of Gregory R. Valesi P.E., P.P. & C.M.E. the Borough of Carteret has realized their goals for the improvements to Sullivan Field. With the completion of the new multi-purpose facility, the Borough now has a reliable, state of the art facility that will host a multitude of Baseball and Soccer Events for years to come.