by SC Features Writer Reanna Haase
For the majority of the past three years, residents have had to go without their beloved ballfields. After much anticipation, we are nearing the reopening of the new and improved fields, just in time for the field’s busy season.
Field One before and after the restoration project. Photos by Kyle Sweet
“Everybody’s definitely chomping at the bit to get back on the field,” Recreation Director Andrea Miller said. “I’ve had comments where people say, ‘Wow, I drove by the fields, they’re looking great, and green!’ So, I know there is definitely some excitement in the community as to when those will be reopened for public use, as well as for structured programs.”
Miller hopes the fields will be open in mid-October, just in time for city and school-sponsored ball leagues to begin their seasons. Although the fields are looking great, this did not come without challenges.
Field Two before and after the restoration project. Photos by Kyle Sweet
The need for restoration began when Hurricane Ian devastated the fields, and any remaining structures were demolished to create a temporary tent city for state and federal relief workers. Once the relief efforts began to subside, the fields were restored through state and federal funding, including the installation of new fencing, field lighting, and sod, reopening to the public in May 2024.
Despite accomplishing this milestone, the ballfields remained open for just a few months before they, once again, became unusable.
Field Three before and after. Photos by Kyle Sweet
“Then we had Helene and Milton come through in September and October, and we had about five feet of storm surge that covered the fields,” Miller said. “While we didn’t lose fencing or structures, we eventually lost all of the sod that had just been redone post-Ian.”
While the installation of the Bermuda grass sod was the quickest option to getting the fields up and running for residents, following Ian, the effects were not long-term. Kyle Sweet, member of the Parks and Recreation Committee, shared that they decided a different route was needed to ensure the longevity of the turf through any future storms.
After consideration, Seashore Paspalum was decided to be the best turf material for the fields, which is also used at The Sanctuary Golf Club – where Sweet has been a Golf Course Superintendent for over 20 years – and Kelly Road Soccer Complex in Fort Myers, Sweet said.
Opting for a more sustainable approach than just laying sod, the restoration team chose to use a sprigging process, which involves planting individual grass sprigs and takes about 90 days to blend into the existing organic material.
“This grass has the ability to withstand saltwater inundation, if it were to happen again in the future,” Sweet said. “Not only is it a very attractive, green, dense, superior playing surface… but it is key to the longevity and success of the field, and all the time and effort that’s been spent.”
This project has been made possible through a three-way partnership between the City of Sanibel, the School Board of Lee County and the Lee County Board of Commissioners, Miller said. The restoration team is now in the final phases of assuring the field is ready for public use, with just a few weeks before the sports leagues are ready to take the field.
“I think when it’s ready and people get out and experience that, they’re going to have an appreciation for the time and effort that was spent to make it happen,” Sweet said. “This is going to be a very important season for the island, and this is one of those things where people can see some terrific progress.”
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