BY ALANA REIBSTEIN
As homecoming fans raised green signs that read, “Turf by Ten,” I couldn’t help but think, “not again.” Through the Fields for Kids organization’s extensive advertising, these catchy, alliterated mantras have become embedded in the minds and hearts of Larchmont and Mamaroneck citizens, as well as the district’s school board.
You would think after all of this we would finally be satisfied. Yet still, we want more turf. Turf by Ten is a phased plan to renovate MHS’ Memorial Field and complete the renovations by the fall of 2010. I see Turf by Ten as simply indulgent. Akin to Fields For Kids, an organization to raise money for new turf fields, “donations” to the “cause” should not be considered charity. Turf by Ten advocates dub money raised as charitable donations because it compares our town to neighboring ones, whose fields, funded by other methods, trump ours. The group believes that in order for our kids to successfully develop physically and emotionally, turf is required.
The Turf by Ten organization is a public-private partnership. The funds for the project come from the Mamaroneck School District, a New York State Assembly grant, the Larchmont Junior Soccer League, Larchmont Mamaroneck Youth Lacrosse and Fields for Kids. If the money for the fields were solely gathered from private donors, I still wouldn’t agree, though I understand contributing is a personal choice. However, our school district is plugging $500,000 into the equation. Granted, this money was earmarked in 2004 for field repair, but I believe it is not the best use of our district’s money today, given the current economic standing. This money should be saved for the general maintenance of our schools – heaters, boilers, roof repairs etc.
An argument made on fieldsforkidsmamk.org is that more public sporting events could potentially be held at MHS’s renovated field, so coming to a game on a Friday or Saturday night would be a safe venue, a healthy alternative to a weekend house party or hanging out on the streets. This is a largely naïve misperception among authority figures. In fact, many students at MHS use sporting events (pep-rally, homecoming) as a jumping off point for a night of illegal substances.
Money is being raised for the wrong reasons. The Fields for Kids organization has also stated that, “The grass is greener in every other town.” This logic is childish, sophomoric and disreputable. The organization argues that 25 of our neighboring towns have found it a priority to mend their fields. Considering our town has a Starbucks, at least two upscale stores in the matter of a couple blocks and probably four or five banks within walking distance, it seems wrong to look at the success of surrounding towns and pity our own. Meanwhile, there are children in other parts of the world who would jump at an opportunity to live in Larchmont and Mamaroneck, even with our current grass fields.
Why does it matter that these other towns have turf? How does this fact add to the need for turf fields in our town? By the way, aren’t these the same parents that admonish their children for following the crowd? This logic to influence people to support this cause is repugnant and makes me cringe at the fact that grown adults use this for propaganda.
According to the website, the fields are necessary because they are a “visible sign of wellness in our community.” It goes on: “Fields in poor condition say a lot about how much pride we take in our schools and properties. Fields in great condition will make it clear that we are a vital and healthy community, committed to our kids and our schools and our health.”
Maybe so, but it does not take a gleaming field to show that we are prideful citizens. In fact, I believe our lack of a fancy field shows just how wonderful the people of Larchmont and Mamaroneck are. Our grass field does not show that we are not a “healthy community.” It signifies that we are proud of what we do have, and need not compete with surrounding towns to prove anything. And above all, it shows that we can compete and succeed on a grass field at the same level as our neighboring towns.
In essence, the problem is not that we are missing a multi-purpose all-weather turf field with a state-of-the-art drainage system. Rather, the problem is that we are embarrassed when we compare our grass to our neighboring suburbs’ turf. We are fortunate to have a grassy place to play. Our school is lacking some basic necessities that could and should be fixed immediately with this money; and we have successfully raised half a million dollars for a field.
