COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Columbus Parks and Recreation Department announced Wednesday a transformative upgrade to Lincoln Park’s athletic infrastructure with the selection of FieldTurf, a division of Tackett Sports, as the contractor to install synthetic turf on six infields.
The milestone project is made possible through a $1 million allocation from the $30 million READI grant that was awarded to the South Central Indiana Talent Region. The Columbus Area Visitors Center also contributed $300,000 to the project.
“This is about more than just turf—it’s about investing in our future,” said Brady Buckley, Associate Director of Sports for Columbus Parks and Recreation, “We’re creating a reliable, high-quality experience for athletes and visitors alike, while boosting our local economy through sports tourism.”
With synthetic turf replacing natural surfaces, the new infields will dramatically reduce rainouts and ensure consistent playability—an essential factor for hosting major tournaments. Lincoln Park is already slated to host the prestigious USSSA Fast Pitch Nationals, with more events on the horizon.
This investment strengthens Columbus’s ability to host larger, more prestigious tournaments by working together with other local regional facilities to create a unified sports destination capable of accommodating multi-venue events and drawing top-tier competition from across the country.
Columbus Area Visitors Center Executive Director Misty Weisensteiner noted that synthetic turf fields are critical to the continued growth of sports in Columbus, saying, “Team organizers consistently tell us they prefer playing on turf over natural grass, and unfortunately, we are losing tournaments to other communities because we cannot compete with their facilities.
In tandem with the field renovations, Columbus Parks and Recreation recently refurbished the park’s batting cages and pitching machines, further enhancing the training and recreational opportunities available to the community.
Construction for the turf is anticipated to begin in October, with minimal disruption to current programming. The upgrades reflect the city’s commitment to excellence, accessibility, and long-term growth in youth and adult sports.
