[RP TownTalk] turf field

Fri Jun 15 17:27:49 UTC 2007

The park permitting department is located in Lanham.  You can find out much more at this website: http://www.pgparks.com/places/permits.html

  Not sure of the implications for pick up games, but I would imagin you'd have to go to Lanham to get a permit first (if you wanted to use the field).

  Todd

Lisa Grob <lisagrob at verizon.net> wrote:
        v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}  o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}  w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}  .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}        st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }                Is it difficult to get a permit? Will this eliminate use of the space for pick up games?

  Lisa

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  From: towntalk-bounces at riverdale-park.org [mailto:towntalk-bounces at riverdale-park.org] On Behalf Of bruce.wernek at mindspring.com
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2007 7:36 AM
To: Kate Sharpe; TownTalk
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] turf field

    Kate

    Thanks for the info.  

    I would like to ask our Riverdale residents what they envision for the park.  Right now there a baseball field that's off limits unless you have a permit, a couple of tennis courts which are accessible by all, and a possible turf field which will also require a permit not to mention the lights.  During the school year and late summer the future turf field and baseball field are used by Dematha and other sports organizations.  They will/are also be off limits for our residents without a permit.  What I would like to know is where an I going to have a picnic, setup the volley ball net, or have a cookout.  

    It's simply a question of your definition of a park.  When I was growing up it was a place for family gatherings, badminton, volleyball, and playtime for the kids.  Today, its become more and more about sports.  These sports fields take up a large portion of the park (~30%) and are used by primarily non Riverdale residents.  Now there is a "proposal" on the table to section off another large portion of the park for sports organizations.  What's going to be left for us?

    Bruce  

    -----Original Message----- 
From: Kate Sharpe 
Sent: Jun 14, 2007 10:44 PM 
To: TownTalk 
Subject: [RP TownTalk] turf field 

      Dear Town Talkers,

  Last night I attended the community meeting about the proposed turf field at the Riverdale Community Park.  The proposed turf field would replace a worn out football/soccer field that is consistently in poor condition.  Players using the current field run on hard packed dirt (bad for the joints) and breathe substantial amounts of dust. 

  Parks and Recreation has budgeted $750,000 for an artificial turf field, and an additional $300,000 for possible lighting, a tree buffer between the field and the neighborhood, moving the basketball court to a new location, and 23 additional parking spaces.  The county would also like to redo play areas, and add new restrooms and picnic shelters in a later phase that has not yet been budgeted. 

  Some points to consider:

   The proposed turf field would have a life span of approximately 15 years.  Similar fields are in use in Montgomery and Fairfax Counties, and at Georgetown University.    
   If the county constructs the field, they would fence it (undetermined height), and require a permit for use.    
   Permits would be granted according to a prioritized list.  The Boys and Girls Club has the highest priority.    
   DeMatha would continue to use the field for lacrosse practice/games, and football practice.  Their use of the field would not increase, according to the county and DeMatha’s athletic director.    
   The field would not be useable during the day on very hot summer days, because the artificial turf can reach temperatures of nearly 150 degrees.   
   The proposed lighting would be placed on 55-ft poles (the trees surrounding the field are approx. 65 feet high).  The county would utilize newer light control technology that increases useable light on the playing surface while decreasing spillover light and glare.  A new tree buffer would also be added.    
   The lights would be turned on when the field was actually in use, and would be turned off by 10 p.m.    
   Lighting would allow greater use of the field, especially in the fall.  However, the field could be constructed without adding lighting.   
   The county is working with the MD Dept. of Environmental Resources to mitigate potential floodplain impacts.  
  The Parks and Recreation proposal was first presented at Riverdale Park’s April Legislative meeting.  The Town Council will be discussing the proposal further at our June 18th Work Session.  I welcome your comments and opinions about the proposal.  Feel free to contact me on or off list (301-779-2169).

  Kate Sharpe
  Councilwoman, Ward Two 

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