The residents of Mt. Lebanon, who have signed below, oppose the installation of artificial turf on our playing fields at this time. We ask that the Mt. Lebanon Commission:
1) stop further commitment of public funds for the Wildcat and Middle Fields Artificial Turf Project and
2) sponsor a more open public discussion that addresses resident concerns about artificial turf: safety, cost, environmental sustainability, impact on the immediate neighborhood and a discussion of alternatives.
We believe that a $1 million governmental project that commits large public funds outlays every eight years in perpetuity, with known health, environmental, and neighborhood concerns warrants broad public outreach by the government on the issue and community-wide discussion.
Updates
June 23, 2014
I have been reading through the thoughtful comments arriving here and I am truly humbled by the genuine care you all have for our neighborhood fields. It has become clear that many of us share the same questions about long term costs and environmental impact which is why I am currently gathering information to share with the commission. This effort belongs to all of you and I am just doing my best to keep up with the momentum you have created.
Reached 100 supporters
June 23, 2014
8 Comments
I urge the commissioners to vote against this extravagant and unnecessary step. Those ball fields don't drain perfectly; that is true. But green infrastructure solutions are an utterly appropriate and viable solution in this case, and far less expensive, both immediately and in the long run. You know the saying, "To a carpenter, everything looks like a nail." Could it be that if the township asks an engineering firm what the solution to this problem is, the answer is likely to involve engineering? Let's take the less invasive, most prudent course. Fix the fields with green infrastructure.
...I would like to further my comment with some objective links to sites that show the health risks and ill favor by professional ball players. If pro baseball player say they are happy that all of the MLB fields are back to natural, how on earth can you shove this garbage onto our kids! Shame on you, commissioners!!! There are plenty more articles - just search "artificial turf health" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maria-rodale/3-dangers-of-artificial-t_b_1661499.html http://articles.latimes.com/2013/sep/11/sports/la-sp-0912-baseball-astro-turf-20130912
Why are we spending millions on plastic when the grass works just fine if we actually bother to cut it? This feels like a huge waste of tax dollars.
The"new age"Artificial turf still has alot of issues. Many health concerns, increase in concussions as well as numerous chemical concerns. This stuff is to hot to play on in sunny summer months. There are no benefits to turf, only prestige in some peoples eyes. Initial cost is about a 1.5 MILLION DOLLARS and Its alot more expensive to maintain and needs to be changed out every 8 years. There are alot of other things this money could be used for to improve our community. Please vote against this unneeded project.
Enough with the rubber pellets already. My son comes home with that black junk all over his socks and in his carpet. Keep the natural grass.
I am absolutely livid about the idea about putting new turf in this location. I am the father of children who used local fields extensively in youth sports. Neither I, nor the young athletes, nor their coaches expected pristine conditions in all weather situations. I love my town. But I am furious whenever I walk up through that part of this community, and I view unbridled expense: huge ice arena, state of the art pools,multiple paddle courts. I resent the assumption that nothing is too good for Mt Lebo and that no expense should be spared. It honestly looks to me like some kind of petty one-upsmanship competition with other boroughs - which makes us look ridiculous in my opinion. This latest municipal self-indulgence would be beyond outrage. I have looked at the price tag for this thing, cost of replacement, and likelihood of the guarantee getting voided for kinds of use that sounds inevitable (chewing gum, folding chair being placed on it, etc).
Another under-the-table good 'ol boy deal. Please listen Commissioners, a. you have no valid justification for embedding this chemical-laden, anti-organic poison into our childrens' bodies and lungs, apart from the ongoing padding of your pocketbook b. Nothing, absolutely nothing, that can justify this expenditure - there are intangible costs to our health associated with this corporate corruption of implanting this country's parks and schools with this garbage. c. There is nothing "prestigious" about this neo-astroturf. The only people who would think this is beautiful are the same aesthetically-void individuals that put that tacky fake golf coarse carpet on their porches in the 70's. Look, we've already seen our taxes go up to outrageous levels due to other projects. Don't insult us with this ridiculous project. We can oust you from your position just as easily as we put you in there, and there are plenty of residents that share my sentiment - enough is enough - don't push us further with this.
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The residents of Mt. Lebanon, who have signed below, oppose the installation of artificial turf on our playing fields at this time. We ask that the Mt. Lebanon Commission:
1) stop further commitment of public funds for the Wildcat and Middle Fields Artificial Turf Project and
2) sponsor a more open public discussion that addresses resident concerns about artificial turf: safety, cost, environmental sustainability, impact on the immediate neighborhood and a discussion of alternatives.
We believe that a $1 million governmental project that commits large public funds outlays every eight years in perpetuity, with known health, environmental, and neighborhood concerns warrants broad public outreach by the government on the issue and community-wide discussion.
Updates
June 23, 2014
I have been reading through the thoughtful comments arriving here and I am truly humbled by the genuine care you all have for our neighborhood fields. It has become clear that many of us share the same questions about long term costs and environmental impact which is why I am currently gathering information to share with the commission. This effort belongs to all of you and I am just doing my best to keep up with the momentum you have created.
Reached 100 supporters
June 23, 2014
8 Comments
If we keep the grass (which I hope is the case) please put aside some of that $1.5mm for field maintenance, as the kids deserve good fields to play on.
I urge the commissioners to vote against this extravagant and unnecessary step. Those ball fields don't drain perfectly; that is true. But green infrastructure solutions are an utterly appropriate and viable solution in this case, and far less expensive, both immediately and in the long run. You know the saying, "To a carpenter, everything looks like a nail." Could it be that if the township asks an engineering firm what the solution to this problem is, the answer is likely to involve engineering? Let's take the less invasive, most prudent course. Fix the fields with green infrastructure.
...I would like to further my comment with some objective links to sites that show the health risks and ill favor by professional ball players. If pro baseball player say they are happy that all of the MLB fields are back to natural, how on earth can you shove this garbage onto our kids! Shame on you, commissioners!!! There are plenty more articles - just search "artificial turf health" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maria-rodale/3-dangers-of-artificial-t_b_1661499.html http://articles.latimes.com/2013/sep/11/sports/la-sp-0912-baseball-astro-turf-20130912
Why are we spending millions on plastic when the grass works just fine if we actually bother to cut it? This feels like a huge waste of tax dollars.
The"new age"Artificial turf still has alot of issues. Many health concerns, increase in concussions as well as numerous chemical concerns. This stuff is to hot to play on in sunny summer months. There are no benefits to turf, only prestige in some peoples eyes. Initial cost is about a 1.5 MILLION DOLLARS and Its alot more expensive to maintain and needs to be changed out every 8 years. There are alot of other things this money could be used for to improve our community. Please vote against this unneeded project.
Enough with the rubber pellets already. My son comes home with that black junk all over his socks and in his carpet. Keep the natural grass.
I am absolutely livid about the idea about putting new turf in this location. I am the father of children who used local fields extensively in youth sports. Neither I, nor the young athletes, nor their coaches expected pristine conditions in all weather situations. I love my town. But I am furious whenever I walk up through that part of this community, and I view unbridled expense: huge ice arena, state of the art pools,multiple paddle courts. I resent the assumption that nothing is too good for Mt Lebo and that no expense should be spared. It honestly looks to me like some kind of petty one-upsmanship competition with other boroughs - which makes us look ridiculous in my opinion. This latest municipal self-indulgence would be beyond outrage. I have looked at the price tag for this thing, cost of replacement, and likelihood of the guarantee getting voided for kinds of use that sounds inevitable (chewing gum, folding chair being placed on it, etc).
Another under-the-table good 'ol boy deal. Please listen Commissioners, a. you have no valid justification for embedding this chemical-laden, anti-organic poison into our childrens' bodies and lungs, apart from the ongoing padding of your pocketbook b. Nothing, absolutely nothing, that can justify this expenditure - there are intangible costs to our health associated with this corporate corruption of implanting this country's parks and schools with this garbage. c. There is nothing "prestigious" about this neo-astroturf. The only people who would think this is beautiful are the same aesthetically-void individuals that put that tacky fake golf coarse carpet on their porches in the 70's. Look, we've already seen our taxes go up to outrageous levels due to other projects. Don't insult us with this ridiculous project. We can oust you from your position just as easily as we put you in there, and there are plenty of residents that share my sentiment - enough is enough - don't push us further with this.
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If we keep the grass (which I hope is the case) please put aside some of that $1.5mm for field maintenance, as the kids deserve good fields to play on.