Fresh sod is down at Rosedale Avenue Soccer Field in Madison, but players and families will have to wait before lacing up their cleats on it.

The Borough of Madison announced Wednesday, July 29 that new grass has been installed at the field, located at 131 Rosedale Ave. The field remains closed to all public use while the turf establishes roots, and posted signage directs visitors to stay off.

Re-sodding work began around July 17, when the borough first disclosed the project on social media. At the time, Madison said the closure was needed to let the sod properly take root and ensure a safe playing surface for the upcoming soccer season.

The borough has not announced a specific reopening date. That timeline matters: fall sports practices across New Jersey are expected to begin around Monday, Aug. 17, according to digitalsports.com, giving the new surface roughly three weeks to establish before athletes need it.

Rosedale Avenue Soccer Field, also known as Rosedale Memorial Field, is one of two primary soccer venues used by Madison-area programs. The other is the Madison Recreation Complex at 184 Ridgedale Ave.

No cost figures for the project have been released, and no borough official has been named in connection with the work. The borough described the installation as complete and asked residents to respect the closure so the grass can develop strong roots before fall play begins.

Soccer families looking for updates should watch for further announcements from the borough. With Aug. 17 practices approaching, the clock is ticking on Rosedale's return to action.