Letter: Synthetic turf is safer than natural grass

Posted 1/23/19

To the editor:

Before you decide to write a letter or potential article, check your facts. 

It's fine to argue and have a different opinion, but your position won't be established …

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Letter: Synthetic turf is safer than natural grass

Posted

To the editor:

Before you decide to write a letter or potential article, check your facts. 

It's fine to argue and have a different opinion, but your position won't be established based on emotion and subjectivity. I can respect opinion, but won't agree if it's not based on facts.

Barrington is in a very unique position where the town's people can support installation of synthetic turf at Barrington Middle School. As a supporter of this initiative, I've heard every reason NOT to install synthetic. Each reason is subjective, and not based on facts or studies.

• Fact: Poll neighboring towns and private schools with dominant athletic programs, Barrington is one of a few that DOES NOT have synthetic turf (Portsmouth, Tiverton, East Providence, Middletown, Cranston, East Greenwich, Naragansett, Moses Brown, LaSalle, Classical, Central, Wheeler, St. Georges....)

• Fact: There are studies proving that synthetic turf is safer than natural grass, and studies showing that it is less safe than natural grass. This is all research data, however, and as with any hypothesis, it can be disputed. What we do know is that synthetic turf is getting safer, just ask Michael Meyers, professor at Idaho State University’s Department of Sport Science and Physical Activity. Or check the article in Sports Medicine, "The Effect of Playing Surface on Injury Rate A Review of the Current Literature."

• Fact: Synthetic turf is not harmful to the environment. A recent study from the Netherlands National Institute for Public concludes that ditch water and groundwater in the natural soil are not contaminated by rubber granulates on the fields. This water is expected to be sufficiently suitable, for example, for spraying vegetable gardens. This is a recent study and though there are concerns about particles getting into the soil, proper remediation systems will prevent this. Further, the Synthetic Turf Council is advancing the industry to lessen the environmental effects. https://www.syntheticturfcouncil.org/page/FAQs

• Fact: The Town of Barrington has a deficit of athletic fields that is stunting our ability to support youth sports. With the increased demand, the town finds itself is a difficult position, requiring increased fees to maintain subpar fields.

• Fact: Youth sports provides our developing leaders to learn to be: healthy, good teammates/citizens, disciplined, and to set goals. You can argue that we need more funds for educational programs like STEM or the arts, but you cannot dispute that sports provides just as valuable social and personal education as any computer or easel.

• Fact: It is impossible to develop our youth sports programs without adequate fields. And I can guarantee that once spring arrives, we will have many young baseball, softball, soccer, football, lacrosse, track and others unable to train for their season. This will not only hurt development, but also increase injury, and put our youth behind other towns as we play from behind.

• Fact: Public voting not public opinion makes democracy work. 

To those opposed to artificial turf, we don't need your opinion, start a petition.

If you DO WANT to see Barrington with synthetic turf sign the petition at https://www.change.org/p/residents-of-barrington-time-for-turf-please-support-artificial-turf-in-barrington

Seth Fisher

Barrington

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