Citizens for Responsible Athletic Field Development (CRAFD) would like to thank the dozens of Westfield residents who helped us successfully petition for a referendum on the bond ordinance to fund the Edison Field Project in the spring of 2023. We’d also like to thank the thousands of people who signed the petition which gave residents the opportunity to have a say in whether to spend $11.8 million dollars on a six-acre plastic grass field.
Citizens for Responsible Athletic Field Development (CRAFD) would like to thank the dozens of Westfield residents who helped us successfully petition for a referendum on the bond ordinance to fund the Edison Field Project in the spring of 2023. We’d also like to thank the thousands of people who signed the petition which gave residents the opportunity to have a say in whether to spend $11.8 million dollars on a six-acre plastic grass field.
We appreciate the many people across town who displayed our lawn signs and help spread our message. Finally, a huge thank you to the more than 6,000 residents from across the entire town who voted “No” on this very important issue during the 2023 election cycle. The results of the election indicate that a significant majority of Westfield voters understand that the negative aspects of artificial turf athletic fields far outweigh the benefits.
This project has been debated for nearly two and a half years. Most residents agree that Westfield needs improved athletic facilities that can provide better, safer playing conditions and more capacity for youth sports. The debate has centered around how to achieve that goal.
CRAFD has consistently advocated for organically maintained natural grass athletic fields, not just at Edison Intermediate School, but at many other Town and Board of Education properties. Based on significant research and conversations with sports field managers, we have learned it is possible to transform minimally maintained schoolyards and parks into natural grass athletic fields. Proper athletic field design and organic and regenerative maintenance practices, overseen by a sports turf manager, will result in grass athletic fields that are safer, more durable and provide more playable hours.
The Edison Field Project relied on an artificial turf/plastic grass playing surface. There are many concerns associated with artificial turf including the total cost of ownership, environmental contamination, exacerbating climate change, and injury/health issues. We believe it is irresponsible to implement a large costly project, especially on school property, that will pollute the local environment and contribute to climate change.
Over the past two plus years, CRAFD has discovered and shared a great deal of information about modern design and organic maintenance techniques that enable natural grass athletic fields to withstand sports activities and grow more resilient. It is our hope that the Town and Board of Education will be receptive to using that information to improve our existing grass fields. CRAFD’s goal has always been to make our natural grass fields safer and more durable for longer hours of youth sports activity while keeping the environment healthier for everyone.
