Nursery Field Tune Is No Lullaby
By Tom McDermott
The lack of adequate playing fields in Rye met head-on with a concern for the town’s wetland ecosystem at the November 20 City Council meeting in a chamber filled with parents, coaches, and concerned citizens. The impassioned but respectful back-and-forth conversation stemmed from an agenda item concerning a SEQRA and Coastal Community review of a proposed construction of a “donor-funded turf field” at Nursery Field off Milton Road. Nursery Field is frequently unusable for local traveling and high school teams due to poor drainage.
Before residents rose to speak, City Manager Greg Usry and City Planner Christian Miller briefed the audience on a schedule of meetings and workshops to begin in January that would provide a thorough review of the proposed project. Miller emphasized that the meetings would offer a broad overview, with public comment, a review of consultants’ findings, designed not to be rigid.
Councilwoman Sara Godard expressed interest in the Council’s considering both natural grass and artificial turf fields, although she noted that a private group would only fund a turf field. Usry assured the Council and the audience that the January meetings would include a side-by-side comparison of both options.
Proponents of a turf field offered the following reasons for their position:
Those who oppose artificial turf focused mainly on environmental concerns:
While the outcome at Nursery Field is unknown, there is certain to be far more discussion.
The artificial turf and drainage installation will transform an 82,000-square-foot athletic field on 6.75 acres…
The Rye Record is looking for a talented advertising sales director.
The new owner of G. Griffin Wine & Spirits plans to continue the business as…
County Executive George Latimer maintains a substantial fundraising lead over his Democratic primary opponent --…
If you live in the Rye City School District, you may find just what you…