Article from the NY Times about new challenges for turf fields

Disagreeing About Fields
By CAROL POGASH
The shortage of athletic fields in many Bay Area communities affects the number of children who can play Saturday soccer and has led to nasty turf wars.

In bucolic communities, people protest and sign petitions about the state of the fields. Politicians campaign for solutions. The wealthy donate millions for artificial turf, while critics warn of dire consequences from “grass” that never needs mowing.

Synthetic turf can increase the amount of time a field can be in use because it is impervious to gophers and rain. Proponents, who prefer “synthetic turf” to “artificial turf,” say manufactured fields are costly to buy but cheaper to maintain. Critics argue that artificial grass, especially the type filled with ground-up tires, is potentially harmful. CAROL POGASH

PIEDMONT The number of soccer players has doubled in the past 15 years, and philanthropic soccer parents have promised $8 million to carve two athletic fields, complete with synthetic turf, out of an open hillside. A parking lot, bridge, elevator and a snack bar would also be built.

But opponents say plans are too grand and threaten the health of children and wildlife. They would rather share a field in neighboring Oakland.

Taken aback by the vehemence of the opposition, Eric Havian, president of the Piedmont Soccer Club, said: “We’re not proposing to put a coal <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/c/coal/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier> mine here. We’re talking about a playing field for children.”

Al Peters, a critic and former mayor, is not hopeful. “Money,” he said, “influences decisions.”

SAN CARLOS Only about a dozen people attended a recent City Council <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/c/city_council_new_york_city/index.html?inline=nyt-org> meeting on city finances. But 200 may show up to talk about synthetic turf. The plan to build two athletic fields with artificial turf has been fought for nine years.

Opponents filed suit last spring insisting on an environmental impact report. “We live in beautiful California where the grass grows green,” said Greg Harris, an opposition leader. He called synthetic grass, with its tendency to heat up in the summertime, “environmentally repulsive.”

But Doug Long, the director of parks and recreation, sees a less-noble motive. “They are using fear of toxicity to hide the fact they don’t want more people driving in their neighborhood,” he said.

The town is proceeding with its plans for artificial turf but has promised that the infill will be made of environmentally friendly coconut husks.

GOLDEN GATE PARK The late Don Fisher, a founder of the Gap, tried to give San Francisco an art museum but gave up because of a development battle. His three sons want to spend $20 million converting existing play fields to artificial turf.

But the Audubon Society <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/a/audubon_society/index.html?inline=nyt-org> , the Sierra Club <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/s/sierra_club/index.html?inline=nyt-org> and other organizations argue that the conversion of four grass fields would threaten wildlife and the natural landscape. They seek greater public involvement and an environmental impact report, and they question Mayor Gavin Newsom <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/n/gavin_newsom/index.html?inline=nyt-per> ’s commitment to a green city.

“We are committed to the environmental stewardship of Golden Gate Park,” said Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the Recreation and Parks Department.