2014 NJSME Project of the Year Award for Municipal Construction Management Projects

Hillview Field, centrally located within the Borough of New Providence and comprised of two baseball fields, is highly utilized for youth and adult sporting events. Viable parks are vital to this community, as an inspection in 2008 by the Borough’s Master Plan Recreation Committee revealed it was four grass fields short for its size, population, and level of activity. Due to its close proximity to the Passaic River, severe stormwater flooding rendered Hillview Field unusable for extended periods of time. When the fields did reopen for play, the damp and damaged ground made it dangerous for players and impossible for users with physical disabilities.

Recognizing the importance of a safe recreational environment, the Borough retained Colliers Engineering & Design to design a full synthetic turf field to alleviate flooding and provide increased accessibility. Given the limited budget, this project called for an innovative approach. Our professionals coordinated with Field Turf, the synthetic turf company, to successfully develop a plan to use synthetic turf in the infields while maintaining the outfields as natural grass. The new hybrid field also includes drainage under the synthetic turf to reduce excess water and control any backflow in the outfields. Additionally, the project implemented a planting program to incorporate 50 new species of plants and trees around the fields. Through ingenuity and careful management, the project was completed within the budget.