The controversy about rather keep wasting millions of gallons of water every year or revamp the San Francisco's Beach Chalet Soccer Fields is still an ongoing six years debate. People love their soccer fields that have been a wildlife habitat for various species of animals and birds, but the management of the city parks has several concerns.
Phil Ginsburg, San Francisco Parks and Recreation director, does not question the safety of the field pierced with the gopher's holes. The injuries are inevitable, and the surface is dangerous for athletes and children to play on. A recent water drought in California screams for the artificial grass along with rising water and maintenance costs.
The opponents that represent the city people don't like the idea of turning the Golden Gate park into a "dead" field. A recent media run on the rubber infill that suspected to "cause cancer", worry soccer moms a lot more than knee injuries.
The artificial grass has not been around for long. It is fairly new concept. Most people don't realize that there is a multitude of infill solutions. There are 100% organic silica sand, green sand, and volcanic infill. The rubber infill is overrated in the prevention of traumas, and long replaced by shock pads and lawn pads in all countries.
The legal battle about Beach Chalet soccer fields has been taking a long while. But the water conservation concerns in California must be a turning point. Bermudagrass, the first choice for soccer, has never been native to San Francisco, the land of poppies, Deer and a Purple Needle grass. The Golden Gate park was originated from the sand and shore dunes.
While the city authorities stumble upon the water shortage issues, most sports fields in the state are slowly reconstructing its surfaces into the drought-acceptable artificial grass alternative. This change will help to keep our sports programs running smoothly throughout the year while keeping the feel, the appearance and reducing the risk of injuries for athletes.
Responses To Artificial Grass. The Controversy of Golden Gate Park, San Francisco