Publication Date: 08/13/2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

by Bonnie McMaken, Staff Writer

Wheaton, IL— The Wheaton Park District recently completed the installation of a synthetic turf athletic field at Graf Park, the first of its kind in the district. To celebrate the new field, residents are invited to attend a ribbon cutting on Friday, August 22 at 6 pm. The field, which was formerly natural grass, has been home for many Wheaton teams throughout the years. However, natural grass fields require significant maintenance. This not only costs time and money, but limited access to the field during maintenance and when conditions are poor after it rained. “Constant play tears up the turf, so we spend a lot of time replacing the sod, which requires that teams stay off of it during that time,” explained Rob Sperl, Director of Planning at the Wheaton Park District. With the new synthetic turf, teams and other groups have more time on the field. “No matter how much it rains, our teams can continue to play,” says Athletic Director Brad Keene. Teams that play on this field include the Wheaton Wings soccer, Wheaton Rams football, and Wheaton Park District boys’ lacrosse league.

Schedule for the evening will include:

6 pm: Ribbon Cutting
6:15 pm: Cheer Squad Performs Routine
6:25 pm: Lacrosse Scrimmage
6:40 pm: Wings Scrimmage
7:15 pm: First Game of the Wheaton Bowl

Photos from the event: