| Editor's note: The following letter has been edited due to its length. Have we given up on natural grass fields here in Longmeadow? I would say that we sure have based on the condition of our existing athletic fields in town. Fortunately, there are residents and organizations in town that recognize the problem, and have committed themselves to finding a solution. They have come up with a master plan that addresses maintenance of the existing fields, overcrowding, excessive use, safety and public access. The group consists of the Longmeadow Youth Sports Council which represents every youth sports organizations in town along with the Longmeadow Park & Rec. Dept. These people aren't sitting on the sideline espousing their personal agendas. They are working together, finding solutions, taking action, and looking after the thousands of town residents who participate in outdoor recreation. The master plan contains prioritized items and timelines at every one of the town's park and recreational areas. It includes requirements to create/rehabilitate existing fields, installing new and repairing existing irrigation systems, and finding additional open space for future generations to enjoy. High school and youth sports in Longmeadow are 100% self funded. They don't cost the taxpayer a nickel. How sad that we are one of the only communities in the commonwealth that doesn't contribute to youth sports. Further more, we haven't provided nor maintained safe playing fields. One piece of the master plan includes adding a synthetic playing surface that would allow for extended or continued use at times when we would normally be limited due to weather or seasonal conditions. Unfortunately, there are some in town who have chosen to ignore the facts of our plan and feel compelled to spread mistruths. First I would like to say that we have spent an enormous amount of time researching synthetic turf systems and speaking with several towns who have installed them. We have been completely transparent in our efforts including our presentation to the school committee which was broadcast to the entire community. We outlined many details of the project including usage and public access to the field when it was completed. It could not have been more comprehensive and clear. Despite that, some have chosen to say that we are proposing using dangerous products that will endanger the health of our children. I am the father of three young children and take complete offense to that. I have personally researched this issue for a countless number of hours and would bet the members of LYSA including myself are probably the most informed people in town on this topic. I would never suggest or recommend something that would put our kids in danger. In our presentation to the school committee reported that synthetic turf fields have never been the source of a MRSA outbreak and that 99% of the time it can be traced back to the locker room or the sharing of personal items such as towels and razors. We even addressed her concerns over the use of crumb rubber as the turf infill stating that we had not even gotten to the point where we had determined what type and whose product would be installed. We mentioned to her that there were products on the market that required no infill material at all. We told her and the committee about products like Eco-fill and thermoplastic elastomers that are currently being used as an alternative to crumb rubber and that we would consider using them. When she mentioned a report prepared by a company called Environment & Human Health, Inc. that stated the dangers of crumb rubber, we told her that we had a copy and had read it, along with the results of the test by the state agency. And we weren't fooled by it either. It is the same report mentioned in last week's editorial. Anyone who reads it, whether they have a scientific background or not, will be able to see right through it for what it is, a piece of marketing material from an environmental activist organization. They turned the six pages of results from a $2,000 "test" conducted by a state agency, into a full color 30 page propaganda piece against crumb rubber. The facts are this. Reports by the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, amongst others, found that there is no evidence that crumb rubber fields pose an immediate health danger to athletic participants and that there was no need to ban their construction. There are thousands of crumb rubber fields installed over the last 10 years all across the United States and around the world with no reports of health issues. Like I mentioned earlier, we haven't even decided on a product on infill material as of yet. As far as maintenance issues are concerned, I'm not sure where he obtained his information. Weekly mowing labor, Gasoline, Equipment depreciation, fertilization, over seeding, sodding, core aeration topdressing, irrigation and field striping constitute much more than a 30% premium to maintain an adequate natural grass field. A conservative dollar amount for general maintenance of an average multi purpose grass athletic field is @ $17,000/yr. The same type maintenance of a synthetic turf field is @ $3,500/yr. Part of the proposed project includes a commitment from the Longmeadow Youth Sports Council to pay for the annual general maintenance. This will save the town over $400,000 over the course of 20 years. Addressing concerns related to the proposed options for the Longmeadow High School were addressed. Again, an extensive detailed proposal was presented to the School Board seeking permission to use this open space land for a synthetic multi purpose athletic field. After much discussion, the School Boards overwhelming approval and support allowed the LYSC to move forward and seek CPA funding. The CPA allows for,".the acquisition, creation, and preservation of land for recreational use.and for rehabilitation or restoration of.land for recreational use.that is acquired or created" under the CPA. LYSC's proposal is to "Create" an athletic field where one currently does not exist. The open spaced area known as the "Upper Field", is not an athletic field. It is not maintained by the town as such nor is it considered an athletic field by the High School Athletic Director or the Park and Rec. Department. There are no permanent markings such as goal posts designating it as such. Also, the current dimensions of the area do not constitute adequate space for an athletic field. Included in our proposal costs we have allocated money for preparation work which includes moving earth to create adequate space. Over the past 10 years, the town youth football program has more than tripled in size to over 225 players. This number does not include the 100 or so youths playing for the high school. Because of these large numbers and having only one practice field to use, the coaches have had to improvise to accommodate all participants. Each spring, Longmeadow Youth Baseball holds evaluations in April at Greenwood Park. Many times the fields are to wet to use due to past rain and snow storms and in many cases there is still snow on the fields. The coaches then improvise. They use the parking lot instead.Does this area now become recognized as a recreational facility or as an athletic field? The simple answer is no. It is what it is..a parking lot. The same could be said for our sidewalks and roads which are used to train on by various athletic groups in town. Even the "Town Green" is used by Center School for various recreational activities. I would hardly call that a recreational site or an athletic field.. The youth of our town (or any town) are our most coveted "asset". Activities such as sports, music and theater promote creative development and a healthy lifestyle. I would much rather see these kids on athletic fields instead of loitering around town looking for trouble. This field will be a magnet for positive youth activity. This project will not only benefit those who use the field but it will also allow for more use of other town fields as well as help promote rest and recovery time on others. We truly understand the town is in financial disarray and has been for several years now. With the state matching funds dollar for dollar, what better opportunity could we possibly have to promote a project like this that would impact so many thousands of kids over the years? Jim Brennan Longmeadow |
