The Town finally confirmed that the turf field project is moving forward. It has been a long and draining struggle but I am relieved we can stop fighting for access to usable fields. We should keep an eye on the construction process to ensure they stick to the plan.
April 9, 2019
Final supporters
Unfortunately the Town of Bethlehem has been blessed with clay soil especially at the Town's Elm Ave Park. In wet weather, even the best fields (i.e. soccer) at the park are unusable for days after rain. This is especially true for spring sports where the majority of the season is impacted by unreliable field conditions leading to canceled games and practices. In addition, no fields are lit at night shortening play and creating unsafe conditions for players during practice and pickup especially in the fall.
Users of the Park have been asking for a synthetic turf field with lighting since the Town's 2005 Comprehensive Plan but no actions have been taken to address the issue/request. A synthetic turf field with lighting will allow play during wet weather and allow extended play during the fall season. The synthetic turf field will avoid damage to the park's natural turf fields caused by play while the fields are still wet and/or over usage especially during dry summer months. New synthetic fields are completely recyclable and do not require mowing, irrigation or fertilization and have an installation cost comparable to that of a properly designed natural turf field that would permanently address the field's poor drainage conditions. As such, the signees of this petition collectively request the Town of Bethlehem to take the following actions at the Town's Elm Ave Park:
- Install a multi-use synthetic turf field with minimum dimensions of 35 yards x 60 yards.
- Install lighting at the synthetic turf field.
- Prioritize the above actions to improve the existing field conditions prior to adding new amenities such as adding exercise paths/equipment, and pavilions.
Parents, friends and family of past, present and future young athletes, please endorse this petition by signing below. We encourage you to leave a polite* comment about your thoughts on this issue based on your personal experiences. Please forward to others you think may have similar feelings concerning this issue.
Once compiled, this petition will be provided to Supervisor VanLuven and the Town Board for their consideration.
* Please do not leave vulgar, obscene, racist and/ or hateful comments. If you are not willing to use your real name or email address with your comment, it is probably a good sign the comment is not appropriate. Also remember that just because you do not use your real email address that the comment cannot be traced back to you; that would be very naive. The use of such speech can carry serious consequences
Updates
March 8, 2019
We hit 250 signatures today. It has been a long road against this stubborn clay, but I am still here and still pushing for these fields.
Reached 250 supporters
March 6, 2019
Reached 100 supporters
February 27, 2019
87 Comments
I am a college athlete now and looking back there are many days my teammates and I wished for a turf field, for a place that was always playable and available. Definitely something that needs to be considered.
I support a turf field at the town park. I would suggest you seriously consider a full size field with lighting for full optimization by all . My children are college students now and my days of playing a field sport are long past, I support this for the future generations.
My family supports this petition and would encourage the Town to consider building several larger fields to support the lacrosse club and other youth sports clubs/teams in our community. If money is a concern, the Town can easily monetize these fields with modest fees assessed to clubs that use them. This is a no-brainer - let's make it happen.
A synthetic turf field would be great. When uve taken my kid for practices there are puddles of water al over the place - not very practice friendly and also means family really ends up sitting in the car to wait especially when you have other young children
The installation of a synthetic turf field with lighting would greatly enhance the sporting programs that utilize the town park for practices and games. My children have played lacrosse and soccer. The wet field conditions have caused practice and game cancellations. The lack of lighting is dangerous.
This would be a great investment in Bethlehem's youth sports.
I think this is a worthy pursuit in the interest of advancing and aiding all sorts of sports activities for multiple age groups.
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The Town finally confirmed that the turf field project is moving forward. It has been a long and draining struggle but I am relieved we can stop fighting for access to usable fields. We should keep an eye on the construction process to ensure they stick to the plan.
April 9, 2019
Final supporters
Unfortunately the Town of Bethlehem has been blessed with clay soil especially at the Town's Elm Ave Park. In wet weather, even the best fields (i.e. soccer) at the park are unusable for days after rain. This is especially true for spring sports where the majority of the season is impacted by unreliable field conditions leading to canceled games and practices. In addition, no fields are lit at night shortening play and creating unsafe conditions for players during practice and pickup especially in the fall.
Users of the Park have been asking for a synthetic turf field with lighting since the Town's 2005 Comprehensive Plan but no actions have been taken to address the issue/request. A synthetic turf field with lighting will allow play during wet weather and allow extended play during the fall season. The synthetic turf field will avoid damage to the park's natural turf fields caused by play while the fields are still wet and/or over usage especially during dry summer months. New synthetic fields are completely recyclable and do not require mowing, irrigation or fertilization and have an installation cost comparable to that of a properly designed natural turf field that would permanently address the field's poor drainage conditions. As such, the signees of this petition collectively request the Town of Bethlehem to take the following actions at the Town's Elm Ave Park:
- Install a multi-use synthetic turf field with minimum dimensions of 35 yards x 60 yards.
- Install lighting at the synthetic turf field.
- Prioritize the above actions to improve the existing field conditions prior to adding new amenities such as adding exercise paths/equipment, and pavilions.
Parents, friends and family of past, present and future young athletes, please endorse this petition by signing below. We encourage you to leave a polite* comment about your thoughts on this issue based on your personal experiences. Please forward to others you think may have similar feelings concerning this issue.
Once compiled, this petition will be provided to Supervisor VanLuven and the Town Board for their consideration.
* Please do not leave vulgar, obscene, racist and/ or hateful comments. If you are not willing to use your real name or email address with your comment, it is probably a good sign the comment is not appropriate. Also remember that just because you do not use your real email address that the comment cannot be traced back to you; that would be very naive. The use of such speech can carry serious consequences
Updates
March 8, 2019
We hit 250 signatures today. It has been a long road against this stubborn clay, but I am still here and still pushing for these fields.
Reached 250 supporters
March 6, 2019
Reached 100 supporters
February 27, 2019
87 Comments
This is so needed. Bethlehem high school is one of the last in the area to have a turf field. It would be great for the growth of youth sports to build this at the park. Then maybe the high school will follow.
I am a college athlete now and looking back there are many days my teammates and I wished for a turf field, for a place that was always playable and available. Definitely something that needs to be considered.
I support a turf field at the town park. I would suggest you seriously consider a full size field with lighting for full optimization by all . My children are college students now and my days of playing a field sport are long past, I support this for the future generations.
My family supports this petition and would encourage the Town to consider building several larger fields to support the lacrosse club and other youth sports clubs/teams in our community. If money is a concern, the Town can easily monetize these fields with modest fees assessed to clubs that use them. This is a no-brainer - let's make it happen.
A synthetic turf field would be great. When uve taken my kid for practices there are puddles of water al over the place - not very practice friendly and also means family really ends up sitting in the car to wait especially when you have other young children
The installation of a synthetic turf field with lighting would greatly enhance the sporting programs that utilize the town park for practices and games. My children have played lacrosse and soccer. The wet field conditions have caused practice and game cancellations. The lack of lighting is dangerous.
This would be a great investment in Bethlehem's youth sports.
I think this is a worthy pursuit in the interest of advancing and aiding all sorts of sports activities for multiple age groups.
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This is so needed. Bethlehem high school is one of the last in the area to have a turf field. It would be great for the growth of youth sports to build this at the park. Then maybe the high school will follow.