Summer maintenance to close North Port fields

NORTH PORT — Various city-operated athletic fields are set for annual closures this summer for maintenance or improvements.

The North Port Parks & Recreation department will temporarily close several fields for planned fixes and renovations.

Closures are to improve safety, playability and enjoyment.

Butler Field, Larry Thoennissen Fields, Narramore Soccer and Softball Fields, and Atwater Baseball Fields will have closures this summer, according to city officials.

If weather allows, projects are scheduled as follows.

May 6 -June 30, Butler Field, maintenance and renovation.May 13-June 31, Larry Thoennissen Fields 1 and 2, maintenance and renovation.June 3-June 22, Narramore Softball Field, maintenance and renovation.July 1-Sep. 1, Narramore Soccer Fields 2 and 3, maintenance and renovation.April 1-Oct. 31, Narramore Soccer Field 1, field preperation, soil improvement, laser grading, sprigging.July 1-Sep. 1, Atwater Baseball Fields, maintenance and renovation.

City officials ask people stay off fields during scheduled closures or when signs are present.

Several of the projects require "field rest" to be effective, so even if construction is not apparent, the fields are getting "exactly what they need," according to the city press release.

For more information, call 941-429-PARK (7275) or email Parks@NorthPortFL.gov.