Tonight is the first hearing on Coaches Field, where the Recreation Dept is proposing changing the baseball field into an artificial turf surface. Plastic “grass” is something I endorse only in extreme cases where a playfield is required and a natural surface is not feasable because of terrain or high-usage. Beach is a perfect example. Coaches is not a good example.
The field at Coaches is great as one of the few natural playfields in Piedmont and admirably serves its primary purpose as a baseball and softball diamond. It also functions
quite well in its secondary role as a field for soccer games and practices. Compare Coaches to Witter baseball, which is also primarily a baseball field, but also gets used for soccer practices and games. The difference? Maintenance and watering are better managed by PUSD on Witter.
I believe the pending addition of two artificial surfaces at Blair Park and one at Havens gives Piedmont enough artificial fields for soccer usage. I also believe that a rain-out every now and then isn’t going to ruin any kids life. I coach baseball, softball, and soccer teams and in the last two years, there have been no rainouts in Piedmont that I know about. It seems a shame to lay down plastic over a perfectly serviceable grass field just to get in a couple more games or practices every few years.
On the ecological impact of artificial vs natural, there is much pro and con for both sides. Overall, I believe that a natural field provides more benefits at a lower environmental cost than a field made of recycled tires crumb rubber and plastic. I understand that there are environmental costs for grass, such as water, fertilizer, etc, but with correct grass type selection and a switch to more efficient watering systems, we can reduce that impact. And the positive aspects of a breathable, natural surface go beyond “playabilty”.
Because of the financial, environmental, and aesthetic issues with the project, I oppose the artificial turf proposal.
I believe that lights will help the soccer program immensely, allowing teams to use the field for practices where currently they cannot because of fall darkness. I fully support the lighting project at Coaches.
Learn more on the Piedmont city website. Attend the meeting if possible. If not, send an email to Ann Swift at aswift@ci.piedmont.ca.us.