Apr 11, 2008

A tough turf decision

Artificial surface would boost play for sports leagues

By Mark Abramson / Daily News Staff Writer

With Heather School now out of the running, Highlands Park has emerged as the likeliest host for artificial turf.

At Monday night's city council meeting, Parks and Recreation Director Barry Weiss will recommend resurfacing the lower field at Highlands with artificial turf, city officials said. He and City Manager Mark Weiss say the turf would save money in the long run and add thousands of hours of play time because it is a more durable surface.

"We think (Highlands) is the best option because it has lights, because it is our field, because it is a sports complex and because it will increase the play," Mark Weiss said.

The city estimates it would cost $1.69 million to install artificial turf. San Carlos already has the money to cover that cost, largely because of the $1 million it received as part of a development agreement that allows the Palo Alto Medical Foundation to build a hospital. The $1 million is earmarked for athletic fields.

The rest of the money would come from $378,000 in Measure G parcel tax funds, and $869,000 in park and in-lieu fees from developers, said Jeff Maltbie, the city's administrative services director.

City officials said another advantage of artificial turf is lower maintenance expenses. It would cost $40,000 to maintain turf for 10 years, compared to $616,570 for a grass field, they say. And synthetic turf would also only need 2.7 million gallons of water in the same time period, compared to 55.4 million gallons if the field stays natural.

San Carlos has eyed Highlands Park for turf before, including in 2006 when a 28-member athletic advisory committee recommended it. The idea resurfaced after the city's negotiations with the San Carlos School District to fix up and use Heather School's field fell apart last month. The city indicated it wanted to use synthetic turf at Heather Field, but parents rallied to oppose that plan.

Vice Mayor Bob Grassilli said the council chose Heather Field because it felt that was the best option for alleviating the city's field crunch. He said he wants to hear what the council's thoughts are now and what the public has to say before he decides whether to support artificial turf at Highlands.

"It is a good spot (for turf) - it is just a matter of if we feel that is the place where we get the best bang for our buck," Grassilli said.

Mark Weiss and Barry Weiss argue that Highlands is a better option than another school, whose field the city would have to maintain even though the school would retain top priority to use it.

One youth soccer league official said that after years of dealing with the field overcrowding issue, his organization is "cautiously optimistic" that the council will endorse artificial turf at Highlands Park.

"It has two baseball diamonds and lights. (Turf) by far maximizes the use," said Dan Robinson, vice president of the San Carlos United Soccer Club. "It is also the worst field in the city. We have injuries there every year."

Artificial turf would also solve the drainage problems at the city's natural fields that close for two or three days after it rains, Robinson said.

"We have been wanting to get this done for a long time," Robinson added.



E-mail Mark Abramson at mabramson@dailynewsgroup.com.