Wet Athletic Fields Need Time To Dry

The town-maintained athletic fields at , the and the will stay closed until at least Wednesday to protect the turf and prevent injuries.

Public Works Director had opened Phillips Park's fields on Thursday but closed them and the others on Friday.

He wanted them to dry out after the ground got soaked from snow and rain, he said.

The field closings led to the postponement of the high school girls' lacrosse team's first game, on Friday at Phillips Park,  and the postponement of today's track meet at the high school.

Wet ground leaves the grass vulnerable to cleats. The grass gets torn out from the action, leaving a dirt surface where low spots form and players can turn ankles or injure their knees, he said.

Cresta estimated the wet fields would back up the spring sports season three days, but ultimately the field conditions will dictate when they are ready.

Meanwhile, the weather forecast calls for a lot of rain this week.