Real Fields of Dreams found at a Kansas high school and a Philadelphia elementary school
9 Sep, 2010 Athletic Turf NewsATLANTA — Greensburg, KS, and Philadelphia might not seem to have much in common. But schools in both cities – Kiowa County High School in Greensburg and Wister Elementary School in the heart of Philadelphia – are the two Grand Prize Winners in the Synthetic Turf Council’s 2010 Search for the Real Field of Dreams. The annual contest recognizes synthetic turf athletic fields and community parks that have transformed the lives of America’s youth and enhanced public wellness.
In May 2007, an EF-5 tornado obliterated 95% of Greensburg, Kansas – including schools and facilities. Small towns count on home games to bring all ages together to build community pride and identity, especially during times of crisis. Townspeople rallied around the dream of having a new school and home sports field again – an exceptional school that would help persuade the families that moved away after the tornado to return to Greensburg.
Last September, Greensburg opened its $50 million LEED Platinum school, which includes the only synthetic turf field configured for 8-man play in the state of Kansas. Today, Kiowa County High School proudly hosts sports competitions again, and the community youth football league uses the field for their Saturday games.
Located in an economically challenged area in Philadelphia with only a concrete playground, the students at the John Wister Elementary School were often in the nurse’s office with scrapes and other injuries. And for many, the streets of Philadelphia became the preferred playground.
That all changed when the school’s new synthetic turf field was installed -- test scores have increased by 20%, kids’ self-esteem has skyrocketed, and parents have become more involved in the school and student life. The synthetic turf field is a source of pride, and has transformed a once barren school yard into a place of opportunity and success
In addition to the two Grand Prize Winners, outstanding synthetic turf fields were honored in two categories – Athletic Fields and Community Parks and Fields. William Dick School, which serves K-8 in Philadelphia, was named the Top Winner in the Athletic Fields Category while Tri-Valley High School in Dresden, OH, was named a National Finalist.
The City of Lakeland Parks & Recreation Department in Lakeland, FL, was named the Top Winner in the Community Parks and Fields Category for their Common Ground Park. Two National Finalists in this category included the City of Wauwatosa for Hart Park in Wauwatosa, WI, and the Geneva Area Recreational, Educational, Athletic Trust (GaREAT) Sports Complex in Geneva, OH.
“The winners of our 2010 Search for the Real Field of Dreams Contest show what can be accomplished when you are willing to dream big,” said Rick Doyle, president of the Synthetic Turf Council. “Their synthetic turf ‘fields of dreams’ have created new opportunities for youth and unified entire communities.”
The independent judges for the 2010 Search included Christine Sima of Parks and Rec Business and Ron Hall of Athletic Turf News. Visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org to review the full story on each winner.
Based in Atlanta, the Synthetic Turf Council was founded in 2003 to promote the industry and to assist buyers and end users with the selection, use and maintenance of synthetic turf systems in sports field, golf, municipal parks, airports, landscape and residential applications. The organization is also a resource for current, credible, and independent research on the safety and environmental impact of synthetic turf. Membership includes builders, landscape architects, testing labs, maintenance providers, manufacturers, suppliers, installation contractors, infill material suppliers and other specialty service companies. For more information, visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org.
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