Determining the playability of an athletic field is crucial to the continued health of the turf and the sustainability of the field throughout the season.  The Department of Parks and Recreation will close its athletic fields if Park Maintenance staff determines that fields are too wet for play, or if other issues arise that would compromise patron safety. 

An athletic field should be considered CLOSED for play if ANY part of the field becomes unsafe for field users AND/OR if conditions exist where use will cause damage to the field.

REMEMBER: Standing water occurs because the ground is saturated. Removing standing water does not eliminate saturation. It is the saturation and not standing water that causes damage and unsafe conditions.

Rectangular Fields - Soccer, Football, Lacrosse, Cricket

• Standing water present on any part of the field that cannot be removed without causing damage to the field.
• Muddy conditions present that will not dry by the start of the game.
• While walking on the field grass, water can be seen or heard with any footstep.
  
• While walking on the field, any impression of your footprint is left in the surface.
• If water gathers around the sole of a shoe or boot on any portion of the field.
• Ice or snow present on the field, or the field surface is frozen solid.

Diamond Fields - Baseball, Softball

• Standing water present on any part of the field that cannot be removed without causing damage to the field.
• While walking on the field, water can be seen or heard with any footstep.
• If water gathers around the sole of a shoe or boot on any portion of the outfield.
• While walking in turf areas any impression of your footprint is left in the surface.
• While walking on the infield portion of the field, an impression of ½” deep or more is left by a footprint.
• Infield dirt is wet or soft where dragging the dirt would cause more damage. The infield might look dry at the surface but still has deep moisture. 

Synthetic Turf Fields

• Ice or snow present on the field or the field surface is frozen
• Low temperatures and wind chills, even when ice or snow are not present
• The air temperature reaches over 100 degree Fahrenheit