Champaign Park District announced that it has been recognized by the Pioneer Fields of Excellence® Program for the outstanding condition of its Dodds Softball Complex fields.
The Fields of Excellence ® Program celebrates a handful of private, community, and school sports fields across the United States each year. The program takes field crews, well-maintained surfaces, paint, equipment, and more into consideration when selecting winners.
“[A field is] no museum, but it is a lot like a hall of fame. It’s the space we’ve created to honor great work and to foster school pride and community spirit in the process,” Pioneer Athletics states on their website.
Dodds Softball Complex won the Pioneer Fields of Excellence® honor due to its proper field dragging methods, clean mowing lines, and straight, easily visible painted foul lines, as well as dedicated operations staff members who work diligently to keep the fields well-manicured for community members.
“The Champaign Park District Sports Fields Maintenance staff diligently mixes skill and work ethic to keep fields in safe, playable, and beautiful condition throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons,” said Will Schoell, Champaign Park District Sports Field Specialist. “All staff members bring a high-level skill, allowing each of them to mow, paint, and drag fields using machinery and working by hand to keep the fields manicured and in outstanding condition.”
Champaign Park District will receive a banner carrying the Pioneer “Fields of Excellence®” designation and a framed certificate to display at the winning field.
