ATLANTIC CITY — A $1.33 million makeover of one of Atlantic City's longtime youth sports facilities is complete, with city officials preparing to unveil the transformed Dolphin Field during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday evening.
The renovation brings a distinctive new gray artificial-turf playing surface to the home of the Atlantic City Dolphins youth organization, along with renovated concession stands and locker rooms, upgraded lighting, new fencing and goal posts, additional storage and landscaping improvements.
The project also includes new sidewalks and other upgrades designed to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
Mayor Marty Small Sr., city officials, contractors and members of the Atlantic City Dolphins are scheduled to formally celebrate the completed project at 5 p.m. Monday at the field, located at 1601 Penrose Ave.
The improvements were funded through a $1.33 million grant from New Jersey's Green Acres Program, meaning the project's primary funding came from the state program rather than Atlantic City's local property-tax levy. City Council previously inserted the $1.33 million state grant into the municipal budget for the project.
The Green Acres award was designated as a non-matching $1.33 million park-development grant for Atlantic City, which the state classified as an Urban Aid municipality. State project documents described Dolphin Field as serving an overburdened community.
From aging turf to a new gray field
The city announced the funding in July 2025.
At the time, officials said the existing artificial playing surface had been installed in 2010 and, after approximately 15 years of use, needed to be replaced.
The project moved into construction this year.
Atlantic City formally broke ground on the renovation in June, when officials said they hoped to have the work completed in time for the upcoming fall football season.
The finished project includes:
New gray artificial turf
Renovated locker rooms and concession stands
Upgraded field lighting
New fencing and goal posts
Additional storage
Landscaping improvements
New sidewalks and ADA-accessibility improvements
The gray turf is perhaps the project's most visually distinctive feature. Earlier plans showed a gray playing surface with black-and-white end zones, including “Atlantic City” in one end zone and “Dolphins” in the other.
Longtime home of Atlantic City youth football
Dolphin Field has long been home to the Atlantic City Dolphins youth football organization.
When construction began in June, Small said the improvements would benefit participants for years while providing young athletes with a field they could be proud of.
The project is part of a broader series of upgrades to Atlantic City's recreational facilities.
The city previously completed a $5.6 million renovation of Pop Lloyd Stadium, transforming that facility into a multipurpose complex capable of accommodating baseball, softball, T-ball, flag football, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. City officials have also identified Pete Pallitto Field as another recreation facility targeted for improvements.
Dolphin Field has also previously received private support. When Atlantic City announced the Green Acres funding last year, the city said Hard Rock Atlantic City owner Joe Jingoli had donated a new scoreboard and additional money for improvements. Officials said those contributions would remain as part of the facility.
At that time, the city also said it had applied for an additional $250,000 grant from the National Football League for the field. The city said in July 2025 that it was awaiting a decision on that application.
Monday's ceremony is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Dolphin Field, 1601 Penrose Ave.
City officials are expected to be joined by project contractors and members of the Atlantic City Dolphins for the official ribbon cutting and first public look at the completed renovations.
South Jersey NewsBeat will update this story with photos and comments from Monday's ceremony as they become available.
