Brown Local Schools completes new turf fields, advancing $1.5M Malvern Athletic Project

Brown Local Schools in Malvern has successfully completed the installation of artificial turf on both the baseball and softball fields at Malvern Community Park as part of the district’s ongoing Malvern Athletic Project.

According to Athletic Director Dave Tucci, the initiative’s overall goal was to construct a new athletic fieldhouse and update outdoor athletic facilities for the 2025-26 school year. The project includes four major components: a new fieldhouse, baseball turf and new backstop, softball turf and new backstop, and a football turf field to be added once additional funding becomes available.

Along with the recently completed athletic fieldhouse, the baseball and softball turf installations are now fully completed, with Maumee Bay Turf Company handling the turf work and Beaver Construction overseeing the fieldhouse build. The district plans to install new backstops for both fields in early spring 2026, while also repainting dugouts and adjusting fencing before the upcoming spring sports season. Although the fieldhouse is finished, some final concrete work around the structure will be completed after the football season ends.

Superintendent Danielle Hawk expressed enthusiasm about the upgrades, saying, “We are extremely excited about the addition of the new turf baseball and softball fields. The fields along with the new field house are all major upgrades to our district’s athletic facilities. These improvements will provide outstanding opportunities for our students of all ages to practice, compete, and take pride in their school community for years to come.”

The overall Malvern Athletic Project represents an estimated $1.5 million community investment to modernize Brown Local Schools’ athletic facilities and create long-term benefits for student-athletes and the local community. The district continues to accept donations and seek sponsorship partners to help fund remaining improvements, including the future football turf field.

“We are excited for the opportunity that allows our softball and baseball players a chance to play on brand new turf fields,” said Tucci.

Artificial turf provides consistent, all-weather playability, allowing teams to practice and compete without worrying about muddy or uneven fields. The even surface improves safety, reduces bad bounces and minimizes weather-related cancellations, giving athletes a reliable place to play year-round.

It also lowers long-term maintenance costs by eliminating mowing, watering and fertilizing while conserving resources and keeping the field looking great in every season. For schools, turf fields are a durable, low-maintenance investment that benefits both athletes and the community.