Newtown Parks & Recreation has announced that the synthetic/artificial fields at Treadwell Park and Tilson Field have both opened for regular scheduled use as of today.

“All other natural surface fields will remain closed until further notice,” the department announced via email early Thursday afternoon.

The decision to open two town playing fields is better news than expected, considering an announcement on Wednesday indicated the department did not expect to be able to open any of the fields before Friday.

In an announcement issued early afternoon, April 1, the town department said that as of Wednesday “approximately 20-25% of the surface is still frozen therefore the field is not safe to open. This primarily includes the corners and sideline areas directly adjacent to the edges.

“Based on the amount of daily progress, and the forecast temperatures, we do not anticipate opening tomorrow,” the announcement continued.

The delayed opening of playing fields has been due to an extended winter season, colder temperatures well into spring, and the continued presence of snow and ice on the ground.