NO ARTIFICAL TURF SUPERPLEx because FIRST: As the Maryland Soccerplex--which 21 grass and only 3 artificial turf fields--proves you can have a superflex with grass fields; the Virginia Youth Soccer Association's training facility also has more grass than artificial turf fields--both managed by the Natural Grass Advisory Group (the only turf company devoted to organic/natural grass fields). B. Each artificial turf field has a base of multiple layers of plastics--hundreds of square feet--and whether the fill sprinkled on top is made of natural materials like wood or synthetic materials--the plastic holds and amplifies heat making it dangerous to use on sunny days when temps rise over 80 (google the article "Synthetic Sports Fields and the Heat Island Effect" summarizing the research); C. the manufacturer and transport (to the field and back to the dump--it CANNOT BE RECYCLED in North America, you'd have to ship it to one of 2 turf recycling companies in Europe) greatly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions that are driving climate change and contribute to the extreme weather threatening our food supply, economies, property and lives (see the NOAA report on the drastic increase of costs of extreme weather disasters in 2021 over previous years); and, like Kirk says above, our community is beautiful and precious because it's history, diverse and vibrant community, local artisans, the university, agriculture (including scenic vineyards), countryside and mountains. Bringing a sportsplex, and more chain hotels and chain eateries and traffic--it's just so much trash--leave the sportplex's to communities that lack such historical and natural significance--or who simply don't appreciate the one's they do have.
Dargan, your first assumption is incorrect--my son and I both ran competitively and trained on tracks, controlled surfaces that amplified heat (actually, my son didn't run his senior year because the spring heat was so intense in 2020 and 2021). I'm motivated to protect our kids (yours and mine) from the extreme heat, pollution, and climate hazards that my generation never faced, after observing that local and state high school practices and competitions have been
cancelled or rescheduled at greater rates over the last 4 years--not during the summer, but during the spring and fall seasons, due to extreme heat advisories. Artificial turf amplifies the problems--see the 2018 Daily Progress story about a Monticello High School student who almost died during an 8-10am practice on artificial turf when the heat index in C'ville only 83 degrees, but 107-127 on the field, for an example). I want your kids, all kids, to enjoy sports and have great facilities and have learned that many communities who have worked with organic/grass turf specialists like the Natural Grass Advisory Group--have fields that are more durable (under extreme weather and intense play)--in OH, PA, and MA (for info and case studies, google "TURI Resources: Playing Fields and Playgrounds" and the "Natural Grass Advisory Group"). The assumption that the choice is between shabby grass and perfect artificial fields is based on a false dichotomy.
Your comment about my elitism would be funny it it weren't for your animosity and presumption: I can't afford to send my kid to UVA, go to wineries, or shop at farmer's markets--I actually can't even afford to live here anymore--but I've lived here for over 40 years and am sad to see how Charlottesville is starting to look more like Northern VA, or anywhere USA, over-developed and congested. It seems like we both have kids and a town we love, though we have different ideas of what best suits them.
Sage Bradburn almost 2 years ago on Converting Darden Towe Park Into an Economic Development Machine
NO ARTIFICAL TURF SUPERPLEx because FIRST: As the Maryland Soccerplex--which 21 grass and only 3 artificial turf fields--proves you can have a superflex with grass fields; the Virginia Youth Soccer Association's training facility also has more grass than artificial turf fields--both managed by the Natural Grass Advisory Group (the only turf company devoted to organic/natural grass fields). B. Each artificial turf field has a base of multiple layers of plastics--hundreds of square feet--and whether the fill sprinkled on top is made of natural materials like wood or synthetic materials--the plastic holds and amplifies heat making it dangerous to use on sunny days when temps rise over 80 (google the article "Synthetic Sports Fields and the Heat Island Effect" summarizing the research); C. the manufacturer and transport (to the field and back to the dump--it CANNOT BE RECYCLED in North America, you'd have to ship it to one of 2 turf recycling companies in Europe) greatly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions that are driving climate change and contribute to the extreme weather threatening our food supply, economies, property and lives (see the NOAA report on the drastic increase of costs of extreme weather disasters in 2021 over previous years); and, like Kirk says above, our community is beautiful and precious because it's history, diverse and vibrant community, local artisans, the university, agriculture (including scenic vineyards), countryside and mountains. Bringing a sportsplex, and more chain hotels and chain eateries and traffic--it's just so much trash--leave the sportplex's to communities that lack such historical and natural significance--or who simply don't appreciate the one's they do have.
Sage Bradburn almost 2 years ago on Converting Darden Towe Park Into an Economic Development Machine
Dargan, your first assumption is incorrect--my son and I both ran competitively and trained on tracks, controlled surfaces that amplified heat (actually, my son didn't run his senior year because the spring heat was so intense in 2020 and 2021). I'm motivated to protect our kids (yours and mine) from the extreme heat, pollution, and climate hazards that my generation never faced, after observing that local and state high school practices and competitions have been cancelled or rescheduled at greater rates over the last 4 years--not during the summer, but during the spring and fall seasons, due to extreme heat advisories. Artificial turf amplifies the problems--see the 2018 Daily Progress story about a Monticello High School student who almost died during an 8-10am practice on artificial turf when the heat index in C'ville only 83 degrees, but 107-127 on the field, for an example). I want your kids, all kids, to enjoy sports and have great facilities and have learned that many communities who have worked with organic/grass turf specialists like the Natural Grass Advisory Group--have fields that are more durable (under extreme weather and intense play)--in OH, PA, and MA (for info and case studies, google "TURI Resources: Playing Fields and Playgrounds" and the "Natural Grass Advisory Group"). The assumption that the choice is between shabby grass and perfect artificial fields is based on a false dichotomy. Your comment about my elitism would be funny it it weren't for your animosity and presumption: I can't afford to send my kid to UVA, go to wineries, or shop at farmer's markets--I actually can't even afford to live here anymore--but I've lived here for over 40 years and am sad to see how Charlottesville is starting to look more like Northern VA, or anywhere USA, over-developed and congested. It seems like we both have kids and a town we love, though we have different ideas of what best suits them.