An incensed mother, whose daughter was struck by an errant soccer ball, complained to the Brooklyn Eagle that the south side of Cadman Plaza Park is overrun with soccer games that take place “seven days a week, from morning to night.” Athletics used to wear away the natural grass on this side of the park, causing locals to call it the “Dust Bowl.” Recently, the city installed artificial turf, which has received a generally positive response, but now raises the athletes vs. children debate. The Brooklyn Heights Association receives many similar complaints from people who fear for kids’ safety, but find the north side of the park too bumpy and, well, covered in dog poop. Yet other residents informally surveyed by the Eagle didn’t see a conflict at all. None of the other interviewees believed that athletics occur 24/7, and they have no issue with coexisting. “People should be allowed to play, said a local caretaker who uses the park. “If we really object, we can move to the smaller park, or use the grass when it’s quiet like now… It’s an open park, you know?”
Soccer Players vs. Tots at Cadman Plaza Park [Brooklyn Eagle]
Turf War over Brooklyn Heights’ Cadman Park [McBrooklyn]
Photo from the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation