We sometimes get asked if we have concerns about placing a single synthetic turf field in one particular location at Albemarle, along Crafts St. We don’t.
Note that “we” in this case describes the Board, and includes many, but not all, members of the Friends of Albemarle. This is an issue which has two reasonable sides.
We think the best metaphor is an asphalt road versus a dirt road. We like dirt roads – except in high-volume locations where there is so much traffic that the dirt road must be periodically shut down. That’s what the field at Crafts is – a beautiful grass field that gets the MOST USE of any field, outside of the school fields, in the ENTIRE CITY of Newton. Both in time permitted, and in community use; whether it’s athletic use for cricket, Ultimate, football, soccer, lacrosse, Day Middle School student use in PE; or in use by the community as part of cross country skiing, snowshoeing, birdwatching, nature trails, or celebrations like Indigenous People’s Day or July 4th – this field sees it all.
It gets so much use that it requires lots of irrigation, creates lots of run-off, needs a lot of maintenance, and especially when Albemarle is in even more demand, will not be able to operate regularly due to high foot traffic. We think turf will provide our community with a highly functional space for a wide range of healthy outdoor recreation.
If we DO have concerns, they are mostly about access. If it is turf, then NNHS will get priority use, and we would want to have community access also ensured. But regardless of access, we think turf is the best surface for this two-acre field along Crafts St.
Here’s why:
Out of Newton’s 119 acres of public playing fields, Albemarle would raise the total turf to 8 acres. That’s just 6.7% of Newton’s fields – 2 turf fields at Newton South HS, 1 at Newton North HS, and 1 at Albemarle. We think that percentage is acceptable for a city of 90,000 people.
It would be the only turf field that is not at a school. This enables greater community use.
Having a turf field means far less water use and run off into Cheesecake Brook, part of an ecological wetland that connects to the Charles River and from there into the Atlantic Ocean. Modern turf is permeable and rain will infiltrate down into the ground.
A turf field means that irrigation efforts can be better focused on the rest of Albemarle.
Turf technology is evolving, becoming healthier, safer, better for play and more environmentally sound.
Synthetic turf is also more playable across the New England seasons than natural grass, thus expanding use on currently available land.
Without synthetic turf at Albemarle, the multipurpose field will likely suffer both many closures and increased water use, especially with the new modern lights. More use is expected at Albemarle as a result of the replacement of the field lights.
Some opponents to this material mention the negative effects of the chemicals used in synthetic turf, but they are very commonly used; if we’re going to ban these chemicals at Albemarle, we need to be consistent and ban them throughout our households across the city. Synthetic turf does not expose users to more risk than something like toothpaste or toilet paper.
Funding?
The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is not being asked for funding for synthetic turf. Instead, any CPC funding received will be directed toward things like fields, pathways, lights, courts, trees, fences, rain gardens and signage. Funding for turf will be determined later in the process.
Friends of Albemarle 