The new playground at Barnett Field opened with little fanfare in mid-September, but the opening date for the field itself has been pushed back from a November target date to December 18.

The field renovation project included simultaneous work on both softball fields, the basketball court and the rugby field.

Navy Lt. Shawn Gorman, project manager for the Resident Officer in Charge of Construction, said the delay in the field opening is due to complications with the stormwater management plan early in the process. Now, he said, the work is done for the most part, but it has to be ensured that the grass has taken root before the fields are reopened.

Both the field work and the playground construction were carried out by Chantilly-based Baistar Inc.

“The only thing they’re doing right now is cutting the grass and watering it,” Gorman said. “They’ve still got some things to do around the playground, specifically, the trees. They’ve got to replace the trees that are dead.”

Some grass around the backstops and the lip between the infield and outfield also needs repair, he said.

The playground opened separately on Sept. 11. At the same time, the sand volleyball court behind Bruce Hall was reopened after renovations carried out on the same contract as the field work.

The new 5,350-square foot playground includes an area for children ages 2 to 5 and another for ages 5 to 12, as well as a swing set.

Bobby Brown, athletics director for Marine Corps Community Services, noted that Barnett Field is the site of a lot of family events. “They wanted to be inclusive of the kids and have someplace for the kids to play,” Brown said.

“There was never any apparatus there for the children, so I thought it was a great idea, as long as it was protected,” he said.

A tall net between the playground and the fields, as well as fabric shelters over the play areas, are designed to protect children from any stray softballs during games and practices.

— Writer: mdicicco@quanticosentryonline.com