First phase of Darden Towe grass fields completed 

The first phase of a project to rebuild grass fields at Darden Towe Park has been completed. In April 2023, the Board of Supervisors agreed to pursue that project rather than install synthetic turf fields. 

“This phased rebuilding of the fields consists of one of the four fields being taken out of use at time for the rehabilitation process to minimize disruptions to recreation activities,” reads a quarterly report from Albemarle County’s Facilities and Environmental Services division. 

The fields are used for soccer and are strained by frequent use. The new fields will be built over a drainage system with stormwater management and irrigation. One change has been that sod has been installed rather than planting sprigs of grass into prepared soil. 

“A resulting benefit of using sod is that the time the new field needs to establish and remain unused is reduced from 12 to 6 months,” the report continues. 

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