August 5, 2025 10:45 a.m. 

The Roseburg City Council voted to move forward with seeking grant funding for a turf renovation project at Fir Grove Park at a special meeting Monday at the Roseburg Public Safety Center.

The News-Review reports that councilors voted 5-3 in favor of the motion. The city of Roseburg will now reportedly seek grant funding to put down 3.8 acres of artificial turf at Fir Grove Park off Harvard Avenue. The project is estimated to cost around $3 million, with funding coming from grants, Park Improvement Funds and Stewart Trust Funds.

Proponents of the project say the turf will provide a reliable and safe playing surface for soccer, lacrosse and football. It was also argued that turf fields can stimulate the local economy with tournaments drawing in teams from outside the area.

Those against the project cited possible environmental impacts and the cost of future upkeep and maintenance as their main concerns.

Read more about the City Council’s decision in the News-Review’s article.