Do other places have this many rainouts????

[Anonymous]

Most grass fields in Arlington were closed today at 3pm when it had barely rained. Practices seem to get cancelled here all the time, even when other cities fields are open. We know because we have multiple kids doing sports: Arlington will be rained out when they'll play in Loudoun (and yes, I know the weather may be different there but this is across the board). Today, for instance, MoCo fields are open. And when we lived in another state the grass fields seemed to be open unless it basically waterlogged or dangerous. What gives?

[Anonymous]

OP here-- updated to add that all Loudoun and Alexandria fields are also open today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most grass fields in Arlington were closed today at 3pm when it had barely rained. Practices seem to get cancelled here all the time, even when other cities fields are open. We know because we have multiple kids doing sports: Arlington will be rained out when they'll play in Loudoun (and yes, I know the weather may be different there but this is across the board). Today, for instance, MoCo fields are open. And when we lived in another state the grass fields seemed to be open unless it basically waterlogged or dangerous. What gives?

It's Arlington. CYA central filled with a sue happy lawyer in every other house. Just wait until it snows.

[Anonymous]

Most of the fields in Arlington are grass and if you play on them wet, they will be ruined for the rest of the season. Although we barely got any rain today, some of the fields were saturated from the downpour we had yesterday afternoon and then subsequent rain at 11 PM. I was on a field today that was sopping wet – Which surprise me since the roads were completely dry. There’s a formal process for evaluating the fields and many coaches on the weekend will go get the fields ready themselves, especially on baseball fields. You’re welcome to volunteer with that crew If you have concerns about the availability/potential of ruining our park/fields.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most of the fields in Arlington are grass and if you play on them wet, they will be ruined for the rest of the season. Although we barely got any rain today, some of the fields were saturated from the downpour we had yesterday afternoon and then subsequent rain at 11 PM. I was on a field today that was sopping wet – Which surprise me since the roads were completely dry. There’s a formal process for evaluating the fields and many coaches on the weekend will go get the fields ready themselves, especially on baseball fields. You’re welcome to volunteer with that crew If you have concerns about the availability/potential of ruining our park/fields.

Then how are the grass fields open in the nearby cities that also got rain? This isn't just a today thing: it happens all the time. One kid is playing on grass in Arlington and field is closed. Another kid is playing on grass in Alexandria and the field is open. Do they do better field maintenance? Have more park staff?

Meanwhile I'm not sure how you're getting the fields ready if they're closed-- I don't think we've ever been given that option. I believe our coach actually offered to rake a field (Barcroft) early one morning and was told no. But if you're able, you'll likely have to do that Saturday morning. Fields will be closed tomorrow and I'd bet a bunch of money many are still closed by Saturday am. But only here. The games elsewhere will be played.

[Anonymous]

Many fields in Arlington remained open today, though they were closed the last couple of Wednesdays. Glad my kid finally has a soccer practice and that at least games haven’t been rained out so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of the fields in Arlington are grass and if you play on them wet, they will be ruined for the rest of the season. Although we barely got any rain today, some of the fields were saturated from the downpour we had yesterday afternoon and then subsequent rain at 11 PM. I was on a field today that was sopping wet – Which surprise me since the roads were completely dry. There’s a formal process for evaluating the fields and many coaches on the weekend will go get the fields ready themselves, especially on baseball fields. You’re welcome to volunteer with that crew If you have concerns about the availability/potential of ruining our park/fields.

Then how are the grass fields open in the nearby cities that also got rain? This isn't just a today thing: it happens all the time. One kid is playing on grass in Arlington and field is closed. Another kid is playing on grass in Alexandria and the field is open. Do they do better field maintenance? Have more park staff?

Meanwhile I'm not sure how you're getting the fields ready if they're closed-- I don't think we've ever been given that option. I believe our coach actually offered to rake a field (Barcroft) early one morning and was told no. But if you're able, you'll likely have to do that Saturday morning. Fields will be closed tomorrow and I'd bet a bunch of money many are still closed by Saturday am. But only here. The games elsewhere will be played.

My kids have played sports in Arlington for 10+ years and one of them is now an umpire so I’m intimately familiar with the process. I don’t know what you mean that getting Fields ready isn’t an option – baseball coaches do this all the time, especially down at Jennie Dean.

[Anonymous]

can i just send this thread to anyone who complains about all the new turf fields?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of the fields in Arlington are grass and if you play on them wet, they will be ruined for the rest of the season. Although we barely got any rain today, some of the fields were saturated from the downpour we had yesterday afternoon and then subsequent rain at 11 PM. I was on a field today that was sopping wet – Which surprise me since the roads were completely dry. There’s a formal process for evaluating the fields and many coaches on the weekend will go get the fields ready themselves, especially on baseball fields. You’re welcome to volunteer with that crew If you have concerns about the availability/potential of ruining our park/fields.

Then how are the grass fields open in the nearby cities that also got rain? This isn't just a today thing: it happens all the time. One kid is playing on grass in Arlington and field is closed. Another kid is playing on grass in Alexandria and the field is open. Do they do better field maintenance? Have more park staff?

Meanwhile I'm not sure how you're getting the fields ready if they're closed-- I don't think we've ever been given that option. I believe our coach actually offered to rake a field (Barcroft) early one morning and was told no. But if you're able, you'll likely have to do that Saturday morning. Fields will be closed tomorrow and I'd bet a bunch of money many are still closed by Saturday am. But only here. The games elsewhere will be played.

For one, many of the newer fields in Fairfax in Loudoun counties have better drainage than the older fields in Arlington.

[Anonymous]

One thing that Arlington does that some of the big counties don’t or can’t do is open individual fields where possible. They really do make every effort to open when they can. If you think the field should be open and isnt, go take pictures and send to DPR. For example, here’s the alert that went out today, pretty specific.

DPR Field Status Update - 9/24/2025
Due to Inclement Weather and Field Conditions, the fields are in the following operating status:

Alcova Heights, Arlington Hall, Benjamin Banneker, Dorothy Hamm, East Falls Church, Glebe ES, Greenbrier #2, High View, Jamestown Back, Jamestown Front, Lacey Woods, Madison Center, Nottingham #1 & #2, Quincy #3, Stewart, Taylor ES: CLOSED

[Anonymous]

They do try to open the fields, but many of them have terrible drainage, uneven spots that fill with water, etc. Every single spot of field is used in county and many of them are crappy. At least it's been three Wednesdays in a row this time instead of 3 Saturdays.

[Anonymous]

We deal with this in MoCo co stantky and I agree it’s very frustrating. The drainage issue is a very real problem and the field DS plays on a lot has terrible drainage; infield you can rake and ready for play but not much you can do about ponds in the outfield (and it doesn’t take much rain to make those ponds either). We are always envious of VA which has far more turf fields and/or better maintained grass fields with better drainage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They do try to open the fields, but many of them have terrible drainage, uneven spots that fill with water, etc. Every single spot of field is used in county and many of them are crappy. At least it's been three Wednesdays in a row this time instead of 3 Saturdays.

Yes it’s the drainage, not some Arlington conspiracy to keep kids inside.

[Anonymous]

I didn’t know about the drainage issue. Dumb question but there’s no way to retrofit some of the fields to drain better?

[Anonymous]

What kind of fields? My kids play softball, which means all dirt infield, and so those fields close all. the. time.