I do not understand why this is such a huge topic. This field is not only to be used by the High School but all town people. I hear a track will be added and we all can use it. What about the money these fields would raise for the town. Soccer tournaments, track meets, and other sporting events. Also Town carnivals etc...

Question: How are turf fields and tracks "open space?"
Answer: They're not. They're managed, controlled, scheduled, maintained & expensive recreational real estate & not even "green."

The need for upgrading the HS facilities is apparent, but should b financed differently, perhaps by those who will use it.

Schools and their fields are part of the town, they impact your house value and the overall reputation of the town. Our kids all deserve good fields to play on and right now they don't have that.

The BOE has been given a tremendous opportunity by the township. We should applaud and embrace the mayor and the BOE for trying a new and innovative approach to working together. I would dare to say that thousands of residents throughout this town will, at one time or another, benefit from these fields.

Let's complete the 'package' of a great school system and enhance the 'Pride in Parsippany' slogan. We can be a model to all towns on how a township and school district can work together for the greater good of all it's residents.

The answer to the question "Is the Field of Dreams Plan a Good Idea" is unknown and will remain unknown until the information required to arrive at the right answer is shared with the public. Both Mayor Barberio and BOE President, Dr. Frank Calabria, have stated that much more information needs to be gathered by them before the answer to the question can be determined. Hopefully, these two gentleman will see to it that all of the necessary information is gathered, fully vetted and shared with the residents of Parsippany so that all of us can be part of an informed decision making process.

http://www.ehhi.org/reports/turf/turf_report07.pdf
I will use the words of this journal to explain my thoughts on why the fields themselves are a bad idea, but new lighting, tracks, and fences seem to be a good idea. Essentially the process used to analyze the compounds was a solvent bath for the rubber put into a gas chromatograph mass spectroscopy analyzer to find the signature of the rubber bits. the signature is then further analyzed which reveals cleavage points which are the signatures of the volatile hydrocarbons used. WHAT these less than average(currently) fields of living organisms will turn into is a landfill for synthetic plastic grass and ground up tires as dirt and padding which will leach out and poison kids. This will not be an open space. This will be a catastrophe in years to come.
"From the available information, it was found that tire crumbs contained volatile organic hydrocarbons (VOCs) with carcinogenic potential, which could be extracted from the crumbs in the laboratory. Health reports from workers in the rubber fabrication industry and in the rubber reclamation industry describe the presence of multiple volatile organic hydrocarbons, semivolatile hydrocarbons, and other toxic elements in the air. Studies at tire reclamation sites report the leaching of similar sets of chemicals into the ground water. Occupational studies document a spectrum of health effects, ranging from severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritation to three forms of cancer."

I have two girls in the school system and they will benefit greatly from these field improvements. The open space referendums have already been voted upon by the residnets of our town. There is nothing illegal about what the BOE and the town is trying to do. "Open space" is just that, outdoor space that will benefit residents of our town for years to come.

Mr. Slevin,
You THINK your two daughters will benefit from these field improvements, but I think you are wrong. Besides the currently unkown potential of harm to your daughters and other children, what the town is trying to do, based upon "old" referendums is patently wrong. When folks voted to allow our politicians to use their tax moneys on expanded "open space" programs, we did not have any idea as to what might eventually be planed for our tax money. Now we know. Our politicians use our lack of knowledge and our trust to take benefit for themselves and their supporters while putting the rest of the citizens at risk and exposure. I am sorry, but our current politicians are embarked on the wrong endeavor. If they want to build a "field of dreams" they have a responsibility to study the net effects and to put the proposition before the taxpayers.
Hank Heller

The environmental benefits of artificial grass have been well documented for years. Hundreds of studies have been completed to discover the truth about any potential risks of artificial turf. Government health ministries and environmental bodies around the world have commissioned extensive research. So have world health organizations, leading universities and independent scientific committees.

Elected officials have reacted to the concerns of their constituents by commissioning studies to get the facts – and each time artificial turf has been found to be safe.
There has been extensive testing, and ample research is available. You can read what the experts have to say in independent testing, studies and reports on the potential health and environmental impact of artificial turf by down loading the library of research from the fields of dreams website. http://parsippanyfieldsofdreams.org/

Mr. Karasiewicz
The issues and concerns you raise about the appropriateness of bonding for the "Fields of Dreams" over a 15 year period are well stated and raise additional fundamental questions about how well thought out and how well understood this proposed financing strategy is. We have heard from Mayor Barberio that it is the Town Attorney's opinion that the Mayor and the Council have the authority to move this project forward with or without the public's consent but we have yet to hear from an independent financial expert as to whether the proposed bonding strategy makes fiscal sense and if it is in the best interest of all of the residents of Parsippany. And the bonding issue is only one of several issues that the Mayor has promised to address at public information sessions. Time is passing and the silence from Town Hall is becoming deafening. When can we expect to hear from our elected officials and when will the public sessions the Mayor has promised to hold be scheduled?

Robert Karasiewicz's comment, referenced in the above comment by Mr. Crawford, keeps disappearing for some reason. I am going to post it for him and see what happens.

Mr. Karasiewicz wrote:

"The bonding for the “field of Dreams” is for 15 years but, the field will only last 10 to Maybe 15 years.
We would need to rebond for a replacement before the original bond is fully paid for.
Going out to the next bond issuance, there would be an increasing bond ‘load’. Each time the field needed replacing, the expense would escalate.
Bonding for an item that lasts less time than the bond issue is just plain bad.
The last time Parsippany did that was when Frank [Priore] was mayor. It took a long time to get out from under the expense of the bonds.
Robert Karasiewicz"

Thank you, Natalie. Mr. Karasiewicz comments are honest and real. It seems to me that the "recreation" folks have decided that they will win this discussion, no matter whether they are right or wrong! This is really too bad. Mr. K makes some excellent points and all citizens, including those who want the Field of Dreams, really should think about the consequences of being wrong on this one. This will be something that we have to live with and pay for, for a long time.
Additionally, it is clear that the recreation organizations have truly organized to push their dream,,,please see your voting box above. Stuffing the ballot box on Patch should not cause clear thinking and caring people to abandon their questioning of our paid administrators. I might be willing to vote for turf fields, if clear-thinking people put their arguments together and tried to CONVINCE the public. But pushing an agenda down the taxpayers throats, will ultimately not work, if the endeavor does not make sense for most of the people.
Mr. Mayor, this issue needs to be dealt with by planning and considering all of the ramifications with all sides being paid attention to. Force will ultimately not get you what you want out of this, nor will obfuscation. Please let the voters decide after a proper and fair study of the many issues.
Hank Heller

To all the football parents (because its only YOU who supports this idea), can anyone please explain how Parsippany has anymore open space after this project than it did before? Isn't this the point of these funds?

In my view -- this is just another example of the money that was voted upon not being used as intended. The council has shown over and over that they really can't be trusted with these large funds. Let's see -- lets spend over 700k on a run down house on Beverwyk -- nice use of open funds. It will probably take another 700k to restore it. Lets use 5 million on land that the town / boe already owns. Hmm... doesn't appear to be the intent on what I voted on. Over and over -- we have too many examples of over-spending -- whether it be on a canned website for Parsippany for 22k a year to artificial turf fields. Why is it that the NFL can play on regular fields -- Packers / Giants and yet we are too good for it???

My view is to rescind the original Open Space act (meant to limit over development) and give the money back to the town by reducing taxes... I doubt the greedy council would ever agree with that.

My main recommendation is to PUT IT TO A TOWN VOTE. If the town agrees to use the funds for a different purpose than originally intended -- then I have no issue at all.

Bob
Here is some background information. The current field turfing initiative was initiated by parent booster groups associated with the Little Vikings and the Parsippany Hills High School football team. Unlike the Parsippany High School field which has been and remains in very good condition the Parsippany Hills High School High School field is built on very rocky soil and so after a game or two is in bad shape. Hence the desire to turf the Parsippany Hills High School football field.Operating under the theory that both schools need to be treated equally, the Field of Dreams initiative decided to call for for turfing both high school football fields and the proponents of that idea have done a creditable job of marketing that idea to other sports organizations in town particularly to the Parsippany Soccer Club. The Soccer Club which has an almost insatiable demand for fields on which to play "leases" two fields from the municipality on. Reynolds Avenue. More frequent use of those fields might provide some relief to today's demand for even more playing fields. In fact, before turfing the high school fields, it might be wise to conduct a field use study across Parsippany to determine how much the fields are actually being used and by whom. It's important to note that under the current municipal operating model non Parsippany residents are charged a fee to use the fields at Jannarone, Veterans and Smith and many non resident teams do so happily.
Continued below

Perhaps that practice of allowing non Parsippany teams to use Parsippany fields should be discontinued thereby alleviating the perceived need to turf the two high school football fields. Once that is done, an independent study could be conducted to determine how best to resolve and fund a solution that addresses the original problem at the Parsippany Hills High School football field.

The discussion surrounding the field of dreams is heavily around whether the open space funds should be used to "turf" the high school football fields. And Rightfully so. It's great that our community at large is having this debate. As we include discussions on the condition of the football fields and whether a turf field is safe. This discussion should also include the tracks. The condition of the Parsippany High Track is so bad that's it only used practice.

Maurice -- I like improving the schools with the money. As a parent -- I think that both the schools are pretty old and could definitely deal with appropriate renovation -- not just for sports.

However - this was NOT the intent of the Open Space funds. The open space funds were to purchase and maintain space from OVER-DEVELOPMENT. For example -- forge pond -- this should be renovated and the dam fixed if I understand it correctly. Yet this is not done. Since the VOTED UPON intent of the law is not being followed -- it should be brought to a re-vote by the town.

I agree that our politicians should have the right to make certain choices for the town. However, this is a significant choice that was originally brought to the town to vote upon. Therefore -- let the town VOTE upon it.

I don't think this is a debate.

"Bob" - I'll chime in as a "football parent". On any rainy day in the Fall - Smith field (where the PAL Redhawks practice) becomes crowded and dangerous because any team that needs the practice time attempts to scrimmage there (sometimes as many as 4 teams at one time). Every grass option in town gets shut down for preservation of the natural turf (now of course - when I was a kid back in Clifton - that never stopped us, but that aside - it certainly does preserve the quality of those fields). It would certainly be nice to have another option when we're shut out of natural grass options. I also agree - Bob Crawford - that we should look into the scheduling priorities of all users to see if we can put Parsippany taxpayers first in line for those facilities.

All in all - this is a great discussion to have. It's a shame that in the current climate (economic and political) we can't just add the field improvement to the BOE budget and make the case there, rather than this "back door" unlocking of cached municipal funds that many people felt was for a totally different purpose. There's also supposed to be a "list" of Open Space priorities - but I'd love to know where that's at and if there's any competing needs at this time. Let's get it all out there for discussion .... hopefully.

Tom, there is a list of Open Space priorities. That was voted on last week, and the Fields of Dreams project did NOT make the list. The vote was tied, with the yesses voting that way because the members wanted more time to discuss the matter, and the no votes generally registering the notion that turf fields, in the opinion of some, are not valid Open Space Trust Fund expenditures.

http://parsippany.patch.com/articles/open-space-committee-and-school-board-address-fields-of-dreams-plan

Natalie - thanks I re-read that - but the actual "list" is not itemized. What items did make the cut (i.e. are in competition for funding). Not that it matters, as Mr. Inglesino already noted that the list will not be respected (calling into question as to why we have a committee at all). But I am curious.

Tom, you allude to an issue that is very concerning to me as well. The issue is if the Open Space Committee is going to be ignored then why have a Committee at all.
I wonder what are the real powers of the Open Space Committee and does the Town Council have to listen to them.

"Brady"
I see where you are going with that - and I read the ordinance the same way. It does seem to have "powers" quite clearly - however - I'm sure what Mr. Inglesino is alluding to is effectively a way to say "I've done my homework and this committee is effectively toothless". Unless I'm missing it - the ordinance does not refer to the committee as "advisory" - but perhaps it simply "walks like a duck" legally and indeed is only advisory (i.e. toothless). In any case - I don't see anyone taking this to the court system to clarify it at this point, and I'm sure the Mayor and Mr I. are also confident of that regardless of touted plans for "open discussion". This deal is going to happen regardless. Apologies to those with concerns but that's the way it is.

"Tom"
I agree. Rereading the current powers and functions of the Open Space Committee as "effectively toothless" since the Town Council has the ability to approve, disapprove or modify. This deal is going to happen, its up to the town folks make sure their concerns are known so that the Mayor and Town Council are aware. Good, bad or indifferent...not everyone is going to be happy. If you think that Mayor and Town Council are attempting to use funds inappropriately due to a legal loophole....let's face it...that happens everyday in Corporate America and Parsippany is no different.
I too would prefer that the field improvement can be properly handled under the BOE budget rather than this "back door" way...apparently that's not going to happen.

Unfortunately the main users of these new turf fields will end up being the private independent soccer club that uses the name Parsippany Soccer club. This private nonprofit organization does run the recreational program for the town’s soccer. These recreational teams play only a few months of the year. The main field users of the soccer club are their travel teams that in many cases have very few, if any, Parsippany kids on them. These travel teams practice year round several times per week and play games year round. Before we start using the Parsippany taxpayers open space money to build new turf fields for out of town kids, we may want to first start a real Parsippany soccer club that is there for Parsippany kids. If there is still a shortage of quality field space then I’m all for building new turf fields.

The mayor and his attorney seem to be on a mission. The conditions of the ball fields can be better. The problem here is we have a minority group of citizens who believe the answer to the poor field conditions is to spend almost 6 millon dollars for turf fields, new tracks, and lights. The open space funds were never intended for this, everyone knows that. The bonding will take considerable funds away from the trust for many years. We currently pay 14 million dollars each year in interest and principle for our current township debt. Makes no sense to add more debt to solve a problem of poor field conditions. I have written to both the mayor and town counci about my concerns. No repy yet. Let's keep this discussion alive and hope our elected officials have the common sense to get feedback and input from the public. Put the proposal out for a vote. The citizens of parsippany deserve that voice.

Peter
What is more fundamentally worrisome is the Mayor's ongoing failure to share all of the facts with Parsippany residents so that a meaningful conversation between us and our elected officals can take place. When last we heard from the Mayor he acknowledged that a number of important issues needed to be researched. Since then we have not heard from Mayor Barberio and so are we to conclude that what he learned doesn't support the Field of Dreams project or are we to conclude that he hasn't bothered to follow-up on his promise to get the answers to the questions that are still outstanding. Come on Mr Mayor keep your promise and trust the people of Parsippany with the facts and the truth.

This is such blatant grasping at straws. Seriously. Open space, people! Green grass (the real stuff), trees (the kind made out of wood), and using funds to set aside space to ensure we have fresh clean air, preserved places and a balanced ecosystem. We just had major flooding and our neighbors are still bailing themselves out and here we are laying down plastic mats over all that nice, absorbent dirt. Hope all the parents who are going for this weren't among the wet ones. . .As for kids and what the Jones' have next door in "every other town" - if you're a good player, you'll perform well whether it's grass or turf. And, as to crowding of fields-plastic carpeting doesn't create more space. So, sometimes, they have to call a game or practice when it rains. As fun as sports are, let's face it, they are just a game. Don't you wish this many parents were interested in boosting test scores and developing a competitive curriculum. I'm a parent, too. I'm sure this will all go down, just like all of the other pat-each-other-on-the-back, chummy, boys club style deals that happen around here. But, if it came to a vote, I bet the majority of us would vote no.

Legal or not. Ethical or not, I think many of us can agree this whole project is being done in a very shady way. The cynic in me tells me the township attorney is already preparing to bill the town for it's legal defense once this project pushes through.

http://parsippanyfieldsofdreams.blogspot.com/

I have to admit I'm torn on this. As a former football parent, I welcome the concept of turf fields for our football teams. As a resident who is concerned about preserving our open space, this seems like an inappropriate use of this money. As a homeowner with property adjoining the Par Hills athletic fields, I'm concerned about the potential impact on my home..especially with the idea of renting out the fields as a source of revenue. Its one thing to have a half dozen night football games...then its another thing to feel obligated to maximize the use of these fields at night for non school activities as an income stream. I realize i'm coming into this debate somewhat late, but the first question that came to mind when I heard about this was what about the Turf Field at Janarone Park? Wouldn't it be far less expensive to add some additional parking and a bigger locker facility? Its in an area of town that does not impact residents and the field and lights are already there? i imagine it wouldn't be difficult to schedule High and Hills games....the Giants and Jets seem to work it out.

David - I believe Janarone is essentially the equivalent of Smith turf field on our side of town from that perspective. From a satellite view - you may have a better potential for converting that into a more robust facility (parking - with overspill maybe into the industrial areas if they'd allow it) but what's missed in that idea is it's already used for little Vikings (as Smith is PAL Redhawks). Friday nights we're still practicing while PHS is gearing up down the block. Same probably said over on the west side. The basic problem here (from my perspective) is rain shutting down natural fields - and it happens a lot! And all due respect Robyn - we already cut practices to 3 a week, while these kids are in a formative stage of learning a complex game. Cancellations hurt a lot (but as I said - when I was a kid we didn't care about conditions so much - but that's changed). I do have to chuckle Robyn at your comment about test scores.... I completely hear you - But parents don't live vicariously through their kids when the score well in chemistry if you know what I mean ;-)

Point of fact, Tom, when my kid does well in sports I am glad for him (particularly when he does well in sports I did well in long ago, like hurdles). But I do live vicariously through him when he aces a chemistry test or performs a complex piece of music or is kind to a fellow human being. Academics and the arts matter more than games to a lot of people.

Of course, the ball and chain will tell you a different story; he's all about the sports, alas.

The argument of scheduling conflicts is just ludicrous. Are we to spend $4.5 MILLION dollars because people can't schedule properly? There are 24 hours in a day and 7 days a week. Not everything has to happen from 6p-9p M-F and at 9:00a on Saturday or Sunday.
If you really want to maximize the use of the field get there at 4:30 in the morning. That is when I had to practice ice hockey from the earliest levels up through high school. Yes, I had sports practice before school in the winter.

As for the fact that Little Vikings or PAL are using Jannerone or Smith on Friday nights, I think it would be great to have the younger kids practicing all the way up to game time. Then they can stick around and see the older kids play the game they just practiced. It will instill a sense of worth and pride in the whole program.

Yes – we’re a bit strange that way, Natalie. LOL

Brady – point taken on the scheduling - and regarding Friday night – that is a great idea.

(@Brady again) On your other comment on legality - I’m sure it’s no shocker that public bodies at this level can frequently act not quite in accordance with the letter of the law (Like when the Town Council violated the form of government to buy and overpriced insurance policy from their political friends. http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2009/12/03/105719.htm
Just had to throw that in – as it is a great example.) And there really isn’t a recourse unless an enforcement agency steps in or citizen takes them to court.

But the real bottom-line is this I believe... I’m not an attorney like Mr. Inglesino – but I think Maurice (above) found the correct legal lynchpin that renders the committee toothless – i.e. the right of council to “modify” the list. And I’m sure they’ll exercise that “modification” – if they even have to go through the formality. Thus they can authorize FOD. I might be technically wrong – but again – if Inglesino (his callous statement to the committee aside) didn’t do his homework – he’d be laughed out of the profession.

Mr Comora, your comment is right on target, well stated. The logic behind the proposal is very narrow minded and fails to consider the many possible solutions and unintended consequences. I hope our mayor and the town council use some common sense and good judgement here.. I know some have their doubts about that. I would encourage anyone concerned here to contact the Mayor and town council. Push them for some public discussion and possibly a referendum of some sort. Then, there's a much greater chance that common sense will prevail.

Most people aren't aware of what the Open Space Committee is or what the funds set aside are actually for. Here's a link to the full ordinance:

http://parsippanyfieldsofdreams.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-is-this-all-about.html

Thanks, debunked. I added your link to my story on the Open Space Committee's consideration of the Fields of Dreams project: http://parsippany.patch.com/articles/open-space-committee-and-school-board-address-fields-of-dreams-plan .

Scheduling beyond the set times should be done FIRST, before we invest one penny into this project. I come from a family where we learned to make do with what we had before we opened our wallets. It's this whole gimme, gimme generation that we are intent on breeding. "Of course, you must have the best playing field, and practices must be at a convenient time, dear child...." People seem to lose track of the fact that public schools are paid for by everyone (not just parents with kids who are interested in one particular thing). The point of PUBLIC schools is to do the most good for the majority of students. Not to cater to the whims of the minority. That's my opinion. If my kids demonstrate exceptional talent in a particular area, I figure it's my job as a parent to figure out how to challenge them-including forking over $ and paying for private programs/lessons. But, I'm also against hanging around the local grocery stories and begging for donations from others. My kids are enrolled in things-I pay for it, no begging. We save/budget for these things. But, that's just me.

Oh - and, as to not living through kids via academics. Ha! The vast majority of people don't put "football" on their resume. A GPA now . . . So, yeah, I get a big kick out of those As!

http://parsippanyfieldsofdreams.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-petition.html

North Vale
To answer your question. I haven't decided if I will run for office again and if I do decide to do so what office I might run for. If I do run, it will be because I believe that I can bring an independent and informed voice to the discusiions and decisions that must be rendered by our elected officials to protect the interests of all Parsippany residents. In the meantime I will, under my actual name, continue to comment on issues that I believe are important.
Thanks for asking

North Vale
You raise some interesting questions about the potential use of the two high school fields. As I understand the FOD proponents' funding plan ,which the Mayor appears to have bought into, they would like the costs of turfing the field to be covered by tax revenues in the Open Space Trust Fund. To be able to use those funds the Municipality needs to first secure 51% "control" over the fields from the BOE. If and when that is done then the permit issuance model that is used at Veterans, Smith and Janrone can be implented which allows the Municipality to "sell" access to the fields. The current model provides for access to be sold to residents and non residents alike which is why those fields are in use seven days a week and late into the evening. The Mayor has promised that he would explain the usage model he has in mind but to date has not done so. That is also the reason why the three currently turfed fields, which are essentially sports stadiums and not parks are located in an industrial park and off Route 46 away from residences and neighborhoods.

I will stop harping on the PHS incident , because I was not there and only heard how irate you were and did not witness it. And I am sure as a parent concerned about safety you just lost your cool...

So moving on; Why not just limit access to the school fields by only scheduling township residents and small local groups to those fields and leaving the bigger and non resident events to smith, jannerone and Vets? If the school fields were limited to practices etc..where most parents just drop off their kids or car pool a few over for baby sitting service, the noise and traffic would be limited.

I know the guy at the Recreation Dept and since he took over he definitely changed the way business is done by making sure the residents always come first. So it seems to be a pretty simple solution.

North Vale,

I agree with your point about limited access to the scheduling of the school and township residents to the high school fields.

Bob, you are right about the making sure the Mayor and the Town Council provide answers. I'm in favor of the FOD project but at the same time I want to make sure all questions are answered and my fellow Parsippany residents concerns are addressed.

North Vale
Thank you
Your suggestion regarding the usage of the school fields would be a reasonable place to start the conversation with the Mayor. That assumes that a constructive and public discussion will occur with regard to other issues including: (1) Funding (Are our tax dollars in the Open Space Trust an appropriate, wise and legal source of funding to turf two high school two fields?) (2) Scheduling (Can the interests of all student teams and the Band be accounted for as the school district will be required to give up 51% control over its own two fields?) (3) Safety (Aside from the information from the FOD proponents, has the BOE conducted an independent study to evaluate the safety of student athletes playing on a turfed field?) (4) Alternative Options ( Rather than spending millions of tax dollars to turf the two high school fields has an analysis been conducted to determine if the fields currently controlled by the town can be used in a more efficient manner even if that means excluding non Parsippany teams from using Parsippany fields?) (5)Environmental Analysis (Has an analysis been conducted to detemine what potential impact the turf fields will have regarding drainage problems to surrounding residences and how will the introduction of light towers affect the quality of life for the neighborhoods surrounding Parsippany Hills High School?). Just a few of the issues that need to be addressed and worked through by the Mayor and town residents.

Okay so as a student athelete at the Hills and after reading this quite a few times, I cannot believe some of the issues actually being brought up in disagreement here. First, I would like to point out that from my understanding there seems to be some personal issues being brought up with members on the board not doing their job correctly? well, can we not use this project as a way to voice our feelings on this, and can we maybe stick to the actual cause. Second, if turf fields were a dangerous thing professional teams around the world would not be using them. A lot of things are dangerous and can cause cancer, its life. Third, i am APPAULED at how many times this "field of dreams" is being referred to as a football field, where as soccer, field hockey, baseball and softball, marching band will all use it too. Since most of you aren't athletes, it is also unfair to make the assumption playing on grass and turf are the same. It is infact completely different, which is why our sports teams are at a complete DISADVANTAGE when we travel and play at almost every other school in our conference with turf. I don't know why anyone would want to limit the success of Parsippany atheletes? I feel like the students' beliefs are not being taken into the account they should be. Does it not matter that EVERY athlete in both high schools are for this project? On behalf of all my friends, YES THE FIELD OF DREAMS PLAN is a GOOD idea.

The San Francisco Planning Department released a report which contains information on particulate SBR crumb.
The report reveals that;
- SBR contains over 400 different chemicals, carcinogens, and heavy metals including lead,
- 8 chemicals appear on the California Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer,
- 5 of these gave increased lifetime cancer risks.

Materials in SBR were added to the OEHHI list of substances known to cause cancer based on the findings of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, (IARC) of the WHO.

After installing over 90 synthetic athletic fields, New York City has unconditionally chosen to ban SBR crumb for public health considerations.
The cash strapped Los Angeles Unified School District is in the middle of a serious budget crisis, and yet they have also banned this material stating, “The health of our students is more important than any other issue. “

“SBR Tire Crumb is known to contain a number of VOCs, SVOCs (including benzothiazoles, aniline, and phenols), and metals (including barium, chromium, lead, manganese, and zinc).

Dr. D. Barry Boyd, Oncologist at the Yale Cancer Center, said, ” Because artificial turf playing fields are disproportionately used by children and adolescents, these childhood exposures to environmental carcinogens may add to lifelong risk of cancer as well as the exposures to the many respiratory irritants and toxicants found off-gassing from these fields.”

For the time being let's put aside the still unanswered questions about legality, funding and usage as they relate to the Field of Dreams proposal and focus on the most important issue of all which is safety. Dr. David Frankel's comments raise a number of questions which need to be addressed by the BOE and the Municipality. Have either of those entities conducted a comprehensive and indepnedent analysis of just how safe turfed fields will actually be for the athletes who will play on them and for the neighborhoods that will surround them. If so what were the results? If not why not? . .

Those are some good questions to ask especially when it comes to the safety our students and the environment. However, let's not forget that our athletes plays on turf fields now when they travel to other schools or practice/play on the turf fields already in our town. I'm sure for every analysis written on how bad turfs fields are there are analysis reports on the benefits since turfs fields are implored in towns, high schools, colleges and professional stadiums around the world. Surely, let's raise these type of questions, but let's not go too far off tangent here.

Maybe we should postpone this week's Super Bowl, being played on turf, until an independent study is done? Mr. Saunders is correct - kids/adults/pros play on turf all the time.

SUPER BOWL XLVI MARKS SECOND TIME THAT NFL CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE DECIDED ON FIELDTURF
Super Bowl XLVI to be played on FieldTurf at Lucas Oil Stadium; both New England Patriots and New York Giants play home games on FieldTurf
MONTREAL (January 26, 2012) - The New England Patriots and New York Giants will face off in Super Bowl XLVI, set to take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sunday, February 5. The stadium’s surface is FieldTurf, and the event marks the second time the Super Bowl will be played on FieldTurf (also Super Bowl XL at Detroit’s Ford Field). Both the Patriots (Gillette Stadium) and Giants (MetLife Stadium) play their home games on FieldTurf.
These same two teams played in Super Bowl XLIII when the Giants won the Lombardi Trophy and ended the Patriots’ hope for an undefeated season. With the rematch set to take place on the FieldTurf in Indianapolis, this year’s Super Bowl is one of the most anticipated championship games in recent memory.

“It’s going to be a special week for FieldTurf, with the Patriots and Giants each practicing on the FieldTurf at both Lucas Oil Stadium and at the University of Indianapolis leading up to the Super Bowl,” said FieldTurf President Eric Daliere. “Of course, both of those teams play their home games on FieldTurf. To not only have the game played on FieldTurf, but to have the two Super Bowl participants be long-time FieldTurf supporters, it means a lot to our company and is a major source of pride for each and every FieldTurf employee. We wish both the Giants and Patriots the best of luck and hope for yet another classic game between these two teams.”

The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) releases their ranking of NFL stadium fields every two years. For the tenth consecutive year, FieldTurf emerged as the leader among all artificial turf brands in the 2010 NFL Players Playing Surfaces Opinion Survey. An impressive three out of the league’s top four artificial surfaces were FieldTurf fields. Of the 31 NFL stadium fields rated by the players, FieldTurf's Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Indianapolis Colts, was ranked as the league’s best artificial surface for the second consecutive time. This marked the fifth consecutive survey and the tenth year in a row that one of FieldTurf’s fields has owned the top position as the best artificial surface in the NFL.

The Patriots and Giants have had tremendous success playing their home games on FieldTurf. New England quarterback Tom Brady boasts an impressive 41-6 record at Gillette Stadium since the installation of FieldTurf – a remarkable .872 winning percentage.

“It's (FieldTurf) always nice,” said Brady in a 2006 press conference. “I think the quarterbacks like it (FieldTurf) because you can plant really well. It's different than playing out there in our (old) sand pit because you can dig in and push off. I think everybody really likes the surface.”

Giants quarterback Eli Manning has thrown for 4845 yards, 30 touchdowns, and only 18 interceptions since moving to the new stadium in 2010.

Both of these stars will look to continue their success on FieldTurf at Lucas Oil Stadium on Super Bowl Sunday.

Super Bowl XL was held on the FieldTurf at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions, and marked the first time that the NFL’s championship game was played on an infilled artificial surface. In that game, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks, 21-10.

Curious... How much (lets just use the Hills for this instance) would it cost to: 1. Dig up the football field and actually "clean it up" and make it outstanding using real grass, leveling it, taking out all the rock, adding the proper irrigation? 2. Put new lights and a new track around this newly formed grass field? 3. Dig up the "middle fields" (baseball/softball/soccer fields) and add irrigation and clean fill (no rocks) and new grass? 4. Add a locker (home and visitor) field house so the players don't have to spend 1/2 their halftime walking back and forth to the school (up/down all those steps)? 5. Dig up and clean up the lower field (near the tennis courts), making it a nice useable field with no rocks and such? *next thought* I have nothing against soccer, and I am actually involved in soccer, but all these fields around town every one talks are filled with soccer fields. I can't even bring my kids to one of these fields to shoot around because I am not allowed to be on them cause some team is using them. Same goes for the baseball/softball fields. Where are all the parks and fields that "every day johnny" can go play without worrying about being kicked off because Team so and so has the fields for the time? Why not use some of this Open Space money and buy some of that land sitting back off of Sylvan Way for more fields, parks (with playground equipment- modeled after Denville), a track to walk around, etc???

>>I have nothing against soccer, and I am actually involved in soccer, but all these fields around town every one talks are filled with soccer fields. I can't even bring my kids to one of these fields to shoot around because I am not allowed to be on them cause some team is using them. Same goes for the baseball/softball fields. Where are all the parks and fields that "every day johnny" can go play without worrying about being kicked off because Team so and so has the fields for the time? Why not use some of this Open Space money and buy some of that land sitting back off of Sylvan Way for more fields, parks (with playground equipment- modeled after Denville), a track to walk around, etc???<<
I wonder about this same exact issue. The town either uses Township money, Open Space Funds, Green Acres Funds or other ways to finance land purchases then leases exclusive rights to these fields to private organizations.
Just as one example, the Park Road Softball complex, it is town land that has been exclusively leased to the PTWLL organization. You, I nor our kids can go play on those fields even when there is not a game going on. The Township has given the rights to these fields to about 750 kids and taken it away from over 50,000 other Parsippany residents.
This is not the only case, Parsippany has leased fields to private organizations all over Town.
The amount of these leases??? $1.00 per year.

Jennifer - I must disagree with your statement regarding the Park Road Complex. My son and his friends played on both the fields at the Park Road Complex every single summer day for most of their younger years. It was their 'Sandlot' for the better part of four years. No one from the town or the PTWLL ever came and kicked them off or told them they were not allowed to play there. Some of their fondest memories in years to come will be that field.

I would love to see the fields at both high schools turfed, but I don't see the point of any further discussion until the Mayor and/or the Town Council decides whether or not open space funds can or will be used. There is a great deal of opposition to using these funds. I haven't heard a definite yes or no to that question yet. I would hate to see the BoE or TC spend manpower and money on independent analysis of a
project that could not move forward because it was decided the funds could not be used.

To read more of what the experts have to say regarding synthetic turf and: VOCS/PAHS, Dermal Contact, Air Quality, Water Quality, Crumb Rubber, Ingestion/Inhalation, Lead Chromate, MRSA/STAPH and Athlete Safety, please refer to the FAQ section on the Fields of Dreams Website at: http://parsippanyfieldsofdreams.org/

http://parsippany.patch.com/articles/fod-walking-tour-scheduled-for-sunday#comments_list

www,parsippanyunite.com

FYI, there were no "FOD" members/supporters at this walkthrough today (3/25/12). It was very informative. We saw things that needed repair, saw things that probably did not need repair and saw things that raised more questions about the scope of work. The press was there and we would have loved to have had the "FOD" members/supporters there so we could discuss the project.

I wanted to publicly apologize for any rude comments I may have made. I have come to terms with my issues and realized I have been way out of line with some of my comments. I look forward to working together to form a better future for Parsippany children. Once again please accept my apologiy and I promise to not revert back to my old ways.