Submitted photo New Ulm’s Johnson Park was named the 2022 Turfco Field of the Year award winner at the Minnesota Parks and Sports Turf Manager’s Association convention. Pictured from L to R: MPSFMA President Mark Kruse, Ed Tietel - City of New Ulm Maintenance Staff, Ryan Weier - Facilities Maintenance Supervisor, Al Flor - New Ulm Baseball Association Volunteer, JT Hoffmann - New Ulm Baseball Association Volunteer, Bob Skillings - President New Ulm Baseball Association, Greg Brodd, Turfco Manufacturing.

NEW ULM — The City of New Ulm was presented the Minnesota Parks and Sports Turf Manager’s Association (MPSTMA) 2022 Turfco Field of the Year for Johnson Park. The Award was presented at the MPSTMA annual meeting and Northern Green Conference held at the Minneapolis Convention Center Jan. 11-12. The MPSTMA is a state-wide organization of professionals and suppliers that are involved in turf management, along with other landscaping aspects.

Criteria for this award, which is given out to one field in Minnesota per year, include resourcefulness of staff, budget/significant investment of time and resources required, challenges and maintenance practices as well as number and type of games and/or events. The level of playing surface must highlight healthy, smooth and aesthetically pleasing turf and dirt playing surfaces and maintain them at a high level.

Greg Brodd from Turfco Manufacturing, the sponsor of the award, presented this award and noted the dedication to detail and commitment to extraordinary play surfaces made by the City of New Ulm’s Park and Rec staff and volunteers of the New Ulm Baseball Association at this historic facility is truly remarkable.

A professional aerial photograph of Johnson Park taken by local artist Adam Towles of Forsee Studios was featured on the front cover of the Conference Brochure.