New turf field at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay

The old one was nice, but not as nice as this one.”

Jackson Burbery Rough Rider

Athletes of all ages in Oyster Bay are rushing to Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park to try out the new artificial-turf field. The field has been a central part of the athletics programs in the hamlet for years, and residents, sports organizations and government officials say they are excited about its new lease on life.

Artificial-turf fields have a typical lifespan of 10 years, and the old field had begun to show signs of wear and tear in recent years. Town Clerk Rich LaMarca, a resident of the hamlet, explained that around a year and a half ago, he and Town Board member Vicki Walsh began fielding requests from residents and sports organizations to replace the turf.

“It’s our job to take care of the residents in our communities, and that’s what we’re doing by replacing this field,” LaMarca said. “The new turf is a much more playable surface, and I think the kids and the sports organizations are very happy that this was done.”

The turf cost roughly $786,000, which was part of the town’s budget for the year.

Replacing and improving the town’s turf fields has been an important focus for Supervisor Joseph Saladino, LaMarca said. The one at Roosevelt Park is one of several projects being done throughout the town.

LaMarca also emphasized the importance of the field to the community, because it is the primary venue for local organizations such as Rough Riders Lacrosse and Oyster Bay East Norwich Soccer.

Last Friday, several young Rough Riders players and coaches were practicing on the new surface for the first time, and they all agreed that they liked it. For Jackson Burbery, 7, Matthew Burrato, 6, and Peter LaMarca, 6, it was one of the first practices of the season, and they commented on how good the new turf felt.

“The old one was nice, but not as nice as this one,” Jackson said. “This one’s not that gross. Everything’s nice and new.”

While a turf field is expensive, it can actually save a municipality a substantial amount of money over its lifetime, thanks to its low maintenance cost and its durability in varying weather conditions.

Proponents of artificial turf also say that it is safer for athletic use than most grass fields, because there’s less of a chance that players will trip or roll their ankles in divots or holes. There are also drawbacks, including a much hotter feel to turf in games on hot summer days, and the ongoing research into the potential harmful effects of the crumb rubber used as a cushioning layer beneath many turf fields.

Chuck Greenspan, president of Rough Riders, explained that playing on turf increases the number of games his teams will play, thanks to fewer weather-related cancellations. He added that he was glad to see the new field, and looked forward to many years of Rough Riders playing on it.

“As a player, I always preferred playing on grass,” Greenspan said. “But as a coach, I’ll take turf any day of the week.”

Members of the Oyster Bay High lacrosse team, all of whom had grown up playing on the old field, were also trying out the new one last Friday. Sophomores Tyler Rosasco and Connor Walsh and freshman Quinn Rainey said they were happy to see the upgrade, and had already begun training for the season on the new field.

“What I like about this turf is that I feel like the old one was very flat, and it wasn’t very good to play lacrosse on,” Walsh said. “This one has a really nice, grassy, natural feel compared to the old one.”