Hinsdale An 'Anomaly' In Sports, But That May Change

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale officials indicated this week they are ready to take a step toward making artificial turf fields at a local park a reality.

The project may start next spring.

The Hinsdale Youth Sports Alliance is asking the village to install artificial turf for two fields at Veeck Park. This would benefit football, lacrosse, soccer and other teams.

It also seeks such turf for the infield at the park's baseball diamond.

The alliance first approached the board a year ago about the idea.

At this week's Village Board meeting, the representatives said Hinsdale was an "anomaly" and "behind the curve" because it had no artificial turf fields. Many other towns have them.

Under the plan, the alliance and residents would raise half the costs of the fields through private donations.

The village would seek loans for the other half, with rental fees covering the payments.

At a later board meeting, trustees plan to vote on spending about $60,000 on preliminary engineering and a feasibility study.

One of the big problems at Veeck Park is flooding, which means practices and events are canceled repeatedly, particularly in the spring.

Because of that, the project would include drainage work, the alliance said.

The alliance's representatives said the weather has allowed teams to play for most of the year, except February.

"So global warming works to our benefit," Village President Tom Cauley replied.