MHS Memorial FAQs

MHS Memorial Project

FAQs About the Renovation of Memorial Field

1.Will the new field at the high school use crumb rubber infill from recycled tires? What about lead or other possible toxins? No. The plans for the field specify the use of an alternative infill made from virgin materials rather than recycled tires. The plans also specify the use of new-generation turf made without lead or lead products. So any health concerns about these materials do not apply to this renovation. The district will use only the type of products approved by the Consumer Products Safety Commission.
2.What do the experts say about the safety of turf for people who use them? A long-awaited scientific study was released in May from the NY State Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation. The results showed that turf fields with infill pose no harm to users or the environment. (Click here to view study.) A recent study for NYC Parks and Recreation tested the air quality above turf fields versus grass fields and found no difference. (Read this study too.) No studies have been able to show that turf fields are unhealthy to users; whereas there are many studies showing that exercise improves health.
3.What about the concern that turf fields can be hotter than grass? The infill used for the field will be lighter in color than black rubber — which should dramatically reduce heat absorption and the concern about hot fields. More importantly, this field will be used most heavily during the spring and fall sports seasons, not the hot summer months. Summer activities can be scheduled for mornings and evenings when it is cooler, especially if the field will eventually be lighted. And synthetic turf actually cools down faster than grass.
4.Will the new field negatively impact our local storm water system? Right now there is no storm water management at the site at all; so a well designed and engineered system should be a meaningful improvement. Plus, NY State law mandates that any run-off from the new field must be equal to or less than previous conditions. The plans have already passed a rigorous State Environmental Quality Review; and been approved by our two Coastal Zone Commissions in Larchmont and Mamaroneck.
5.How will we pay to replace the field in 10 to 12 years? Because turf fields require much less maintenance than grass (no seeding, sodding, aerating, mowing, watering, or lining), the savings from maintenance costs have been estimated at up to $40,000 a year. On top of that, another public-private partnership can be established in the future to pay for the field, just like today. In the meantime, a whole generation of school kids will have a safe, reliable field to play on every day.
6.What exactly is Memorial Field Project 2010? The district has developed a phased plan for renovating Memorial Field. The first phase of the plan is to reorient and replace the existing field with a safer, more resilient playing surface that can stand up to heavy use from football, field hockey, soccer, lacrosse and other team sports; plus physical education classes every day. This first phase has been dubbed “Project 2010” because the goal is to have the field built and playable by the fall of 2010. Phase one will also include a state of the art drainage system and some bleachers. Future phases will include adding lights, a track around the field, and large home-field bleachers with structures for storage, concessions and press box.
7.Why have so many other schools in Westchester renovated with synthetic field turf? What are the benefits?

Safety: In a district with such limited land space, field turf can withstand constant use and continue to provide a safe, resilient surface with even footing for years to come. This is the most important benefit.

Capacity: In a district with so few fields, the main field at MHS won’t need to be rested and saved for the big varsity game. It can be used for physical education classes all day, then a few practices after school, then a big game at night. Having one turf field is equal to having 3 grass fields.

Sanitary: Grass fields in this town notoriously attract Canadian geese and their droppings. Geese don’t feed on turf, so they don’t excrete on turf.

All Year Activity: Turf can be used all year round, a particular benefit in the late winter/early spring when teams aren’t allowed on grass yet. In the late fall, when most grass fields are shot, turf fields don’t need to be shut down.

All Weather Play: No more rainouts on sunny days. Or cloudy days for that matter. Excellent drainage means that the field won’t need to be closed after rain.

Low Maintenance: In a district with one shared field between many sports, field turf doesn’t constantly need to be relined for each sport. Or mowed. Or watered. Or fertilized, seeded, sodded and repaired.

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