Foundation grant helps city improve recreation facilities

Jun 9, 2023

Times Observer photo by Brian FerryA crew from Homefield Turf and Athletic grades Brown Field at Betts Park. The tilling, resurfacing, and laser-guided grading project was funded by a grant from the Betts Foundation.

The City of Warren has improved some of its recreation facilities thanks to a grant from the Betts Foundation.

This week, a crew from Homefield Turf and Athletic out of Grove City, a division of DuraEdge, worked on the softball fields at Betts Park.

"We tilled the existing material, laser sub-graded it, and put an even layer of our material on it," Homefield Regional Coordinator Mack Jaehnig said.

The final touch was making sure the top layer of each field was shaped to shed water.

"Our equipment is laser guided to ensure positive surface drainage," Jaehnig said. "You guys will enjoy these fields."

Times Observer photo by Brian FerryA crew from Homefield Turf and Athletic grades Brown Field at Betts Park. The tilling, resurfacing, and laser-guided grading project was funded by a grant from the Betts Foundation.

The company works on recreational facilities across the country. "Everything from Little League to big league stadiums," Jaehnig said.

While major league ballparks — Jaehnig estimated that Homefield handles 80 percent of those, and the Homefield website shows the Pittsburgh Pirates as a client — represent the high-profile work, the bulk of the business is parks and recreation like Betts Park.

"This is our bread and butter," he said.

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox