Oriole Park at Camden Yards Gets a Facelift
BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- For the first time in eight years Baltimore's ball park is facing a big change. The Orioles are swapping out the grass on the field at Camden Yards.
The process started last week with removing the then existing grass. The grounds keeper says this is the best time of year to start this project.
"It really overextended it's welcome as far as lifespan of professionally sports," said Nicole McFadyen, head grounds keeper for the Orioles.
The grass is being ripped up, making way for 105,00 square feet of pure Kentucky Bluegrass grown at a turf farm in New Jersey.
"So it's 88 percent sand that the turf is grown on, where as it's coming here to 100 percent sand so the transition for that grass and root structure is going to adhere better here," said McFadyen.
With the drainage becoming compromised and the root system suffering a bit, it was time for a change at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
"I can't wait until the sod comes next week, so that's going to be my favorite part," she said.
McFadyen says there was no time better than the present to make a move.
"When we have sod being laid down and weather like this it gives it that kick-start, that jump that it needs to get through those winter months."
A process that should take two and a half weeks to complete, but gives years of enjoyment and hopefully a World Series for Baltimore. The project is scheduled for completion by December 1st.
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