Members of the Barrington Park and Recreation Commission recently voted against installing a hybrid-stitched synthetic turf field in Barrington. 

Mike Seward, the Chairman of the Commission, shared that news at the April 1 Town Council meeting. Seward told members of the Council that a lot of information about hybrid-stitched synthetic turf fields was not included in the recent athletic fields report conducted by Traverse Landscape Architects. 

The town is currently pursuing a variety of improvements to athletic fields, including the construction of synthetic turf fields at the middle school. 

Barrington Town Council President Carl Kustell has supported the use of a hybrid-stitched field or partially stitched field in town. The hybrid-stitched synthetic turf option features synthetic turf fibers stitched into the natural grass surface. Kustell said the hybrid-stitched synthetic field option is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

At the Council meeting, Seward said the information learned about hybrid-stitched fields became a “non-starter” for some members of the Park and Recreation Commission. 

He said hybrid-stitched fields need to be “fraise-mowed” every other year. Seward described fraise-mowing as a process where crews cut the grass down to its roots to remove thatch and any other organic material. He said that during the initial installation, the entire field needs to be dug up to put in a special soil. 

Seward also spoke about the Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field, which reportedly has a hybrid-stitch surface. He said that field has an underground heating system and also uses surface heat lamps. 

Seward said that is not something Barrington would be able to do with its fields.

In addition, members of the Park and Recreation Commission said there is really no data on how much more use hybrid-stitch fields would accommodate. He said grass fields typically allow for 27 hours of use per week. Synthetic turf field use is unlimited, he said. But hours of use per week for hybrid-stitched fields is not clear.