Parents convince school to nix synthetic turf plans
23 Jan, 2009SAN JOSE, CA — Are children suffering from “nature deficit disorder” as a result of the installation of artificial turf playing surfaces? At least one parent thinks so, making that comment in an attempt to convince trustees not to install a synthetic turf playing surface at Trace Elementary School here.
That parent wasn't the only one that didn't like the idea, and hearing from “dozens” of others, trustees decided against plans to replace the grass field with synthetic at the school.
The parents, citing concerns over user safety issues that have been raised with synthetic fields, have been meeting and lobbying school board members not to take out the grass field for the past several months.
San Jose United Schools has been replacing grass playgrounds and athletic fields for years. Artificial turf is in place in six high schools and six elementary schools within the district.
“San Jose Unified votes against plans for synthetic turf field at trace Elemetnary School,” by Dana Hull, San Jose Mercury News, Jan. 22
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