Alliance Bank Stadium Moves to Turf

Alliance Bank Stadium, home of the Triple A Syracuse Chiefs Baseball Club, opened in 1997 with an Astroturf surface.  When the Onondaga County Legislature elected to replace it with natural turf for the 2008 season, Appel Osborne Landscape Architecture was chosen to oversee the transformation.

Appel Osborne Landscape Architecture was hired by the County to redesign the complex.  Design included regrading of the field and reconfiguring its dimensions to create a more competitive and “fan-friendly” atmosphere.  At the ball club’s request, the bullpens were relocated to the sidelines, reminiscent of the stadium’s predecessor, MacArthur Stadium.  A state-of-the-art natural sod turf with a scientifically designed root zone mix is now in place, complete with a top-flight irrigation and drainage system.  Bright green padded walls have replaced the unsightly chain link fence, and a 15’ wide red clay warning track borders the deep green turf.  New dugout flooring and cables to upgrade TV and radio broadcasts were also incorporated.  A new facility for housing the maintenance equipment and materials will open in 2008.