City and community representatives participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the newly turfed fields at Lincoln Park in Columbus, Indiana.
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Columbus Parks and Recreation Celebrates Completion of $1.5M Turf Conversion at Lincoln Park

On Wednesday, Columbus Parks and Recreation announced the
official completion of the turf conversion of six baseball and softball diamonds at Lincoln Park, marking a major investment in the future of local athletics, tournament tourism, and community recreation.
The $1.5 million project was made possible through significant regional partnerships, including $1.125 million in READI grant funding and a $300,000 contribution from Visit Columbus.
The decision to install turf was driven by both operational and economic strategy. Lincoln Park’s diamonds host extensive local programming and serve as a cornerstone for regional
tournaments that bring thousands of athletes and families to Columbus each year. Turf surfaces reduce maintenance costs, minimize weather‑related disruptions, and significantly decreases the risk of tournament cancellations, maximizing the economic impact for a hotels, restaurants, and businesses in the area.
Several key partners contributed to the project’s success. Tarkett served as project manager and turf provider, guiding the effort from planning through completion. Myers Sod supplied high‑quality sod to ensure the facility was game‑ready quickly, and PAF joined late in the process to redesign the irrigation system, providing essential expertise and flexibility.

Seth Rice, sports program manager for Columbus Parks and Recreation, hands Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon the softball she used to throw out the inaugural first pitch on the newly turfed baseball and softball fields at Lincoln Park in Columbus, Indiana.
Seth Rice, sports program manager for Columbus Parks and Recreation, hands Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon the softball she used to throw out the inaugural first pitch on the newly turfed baseball and softball fields at Lincoln Park in Columbus, Indiana, Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
A view of the new turf on one of the baseball/softball diamonds at Lincoln Park in Columbus, Indiana, June 3, 2026.
A view of the new turf on one of the baseball/softball diamonds at Lincoln Park in Columbus, Indiana, June 3, 2026.
Seth Rice, sports program manager for Columbus Indiana Parks and Rec, talks with Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon before a ribbon cutting to officiall open the newly turfed baseball and softball fields at Lincoln Park in Columbus, Indiana, June 3, 2026.
Seth Rice, sports program manager for Columbus Indiana Parks and Rec, talks with Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon before a ribbon cutting to officiall open the newly turfed baseball and softball fields at Lincoln Park in Columbus, Indiana, Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
City and community representatives participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the newly turfed fields at Lincoln Park in Columbus, Indiana.
Representatives from the City of Columbus, Columbus Parks and Recreation, Columbus City Council the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce and other community organizations particiapte in a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the newly turfed baseball and softball fields at Lincoln Park in Columbus, Indiana, Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
City and community representatives participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the newly turfed fields at Lincoln Park in Columbus, Indiana.
Representatives from the City of Columbus, Columbus Parks and Recreation, Columbus City Council the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce and other community organizations particiapte in a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the newly turfed baseball and softball fields at Lincoln Park in Columbus, Indiana, Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon thanks all the partners involved in securing funding for and installing the new turf at the Lincoln Park baseball and softball fields in Columbus, Indiana, Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon thanks all the partners involved in securing funding for and installing the new turf at the Lincoln Park baseball and softball fields in Columbus, Indiana, Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon thanks all the partners involved in securing funding for and installing the new turf at the Lincoln Park baseball and softball fields in Columbus, Indiana, Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
Columbus Parks and Rec Director Nikki Murphy, left, listens as Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon thanks all the partners involved in securing funding for and installing the new turf at the Lincoln Park baseball and softball fields in Columbus, Indiana, Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
Columbus Parks and Rec Director Nikki Murphy thanks all the partners involved in securing funding for and installing the new turf at the Lincoln Park baseball and softball fields in Columbus, Indiana, Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
Columbus Parks and Rec Director Nikki Murphy thanks all the partners involved in securing funding for and installing the new turf at the Lincoln Park baseball and softball fields in Columbus, Indiana, Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
Columbus Parks and Rec Director Nikki Murphy thanks all the partners involved in securing funding for and installing the new turf at the Lincoln Park baseball and softball fields in Columbus, Indiana, Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
Columbus Parks and Rec Director Nikki Murphy thanks all the partners involved in securing funding for and installing the new turf at the Lincoln Park baseball and softball fields in Columbus, Indiana, Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon throws out the inaugural first pitch on the newly turfed baseball and softball fields at Lincoln Park in Columbus, Indiana, Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon throws out the inaugural first pitch on the newly turfed baseball and softball fields at Lincoln Park in Columbus, Indiana, Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

Photos Courtesy of Columbus Parks and Rec