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March 6, 2007

Cadman Plaza Update: Green Scene

Remember all that debate about astroturf on Cadman Plaza? Gotta say, it didn't look half bad when we passed by on the first day of March last week. Are people still kvetching about this or have they moved on?
Believe It: Fake Grass For Cadman Plaza [Brownstoner]
Fake Plastic Grass: It Wears the CPCC Out [Brownstoner]

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When you realize how much wear and tear these spaces get and the near impossibility of maintaining grass, the turf seems like a reasonable solution. However, if Ft Greene Park, which is turning into a dustbowl, were slotted for the same, I would be quite upset. It's hard to draw the line. Basically we need more green space so what we have is not trampled....can you imagine how much worse it will get with all of the new people moving into Brooklyn?

Posted by: Anon on Greene at March 6, 2007 10:31 AM

there has apparently been serious talk of the turf install at FG park.

Posted by: Tony Tone at March 6, 2007 10:40 AM

Real or fake, it looks a hell of a lot better than the dustbowl that was there before. I wholeheartedly approve.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 6, 2007 10:51 AM

As someone who lived adjacent to a "natural turf" dustbowl for over a decade (that would be the Parade Grounds), I could kiss the Astroturf (or whatever) that they finally put in. Plus, by this time of year, when it's frozen-mud and grey-eternity season, I do this really pathetic thing and "pretend it's real green grass" (sob, sniffle)...

Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at March 6, 2007 10:51 AM

You live in Brooklyn for goodness sake. You have no right to real grass. Its concrete, asphalt, or dirt for you!

You want grass - move to New Jersey.

I'm kidding ofcourse.

Posted by: Jamzer at March 6, 2007 11:20 AM

Looks amazing to me! I seek out these fake grass spaces now. Especially when it's cold. It's always warmer there.

Posted by: sean at March 6, 2007 11:33 AM

Gee Now everyone likes it. LOsers.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 6, 2007 11:53 AM

No fake grassky, David Yassky!

Posted by: anonymous at March 6, 2007 12:48 PM

Having real grass in urban parks is a matter of maintenance. Areas that are worn have to be fenced off, reseeded, and protectected while they grow back. The only reason this isn't being done at Cadman Plaza or anywhere else that grass is being eroded is money. I'm sure it's cheaper to lay down Astroturf, but you can bet you'll never see it in Central Park.

Posted by: SPer at March 6, 2007 12:59 PM

You wont see turf in Centrak Park because they have a lot of money. The CP Conservatory has huge financial backing.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 6, 2007 1:32 PM

okay, 12:48, we'll tear it up. fyi, Astroturf is a brand name for a product that is essentially a short nap carpet laid over concrete. this is FieldTurf, which has grass-like blades above a subsurface that has some give.

Posted by: the councilman at March 6, 2007 1:58 PM

how do you clean it?

Posted by: Anonymous at March 6, 2007 2:03 PM

With a hose.

Posted by: Jamzer at March 6, 2007 2:05 PM

General question:

How do you clean fake grass? For example, if someone's dog goes to the bathroom and it isn't picked up?

Posted by: supergirl at March 6, 2007 2:15 PM

hope nobody sets it on fire

Posted by: Anonymous at March 6, 2007 2:45 PM

It doesnt burn (if you drop a match or cigarette on on it a few blades might melt) and it is cleaned with water

Posted by: David at March 6, 2007 3:04 PM

Is it a dustbowl over there - like at Ft. Greene Park - because of continual soccer? If so, the Astroturf might be a good choice in an area with constant ball games.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 6, 2007 6:59 PM

What do you mean it "looks good"? What if it was fucking orange, or red, or blue? There might be functional ($$$) reasons for this don't such a witless asswipe. "Looks good!" It was better the other way too. (How long have the cheerleaders actually lived here? Cadman Plaza was a DISASTER from the moment it was minconceived.)

your neighnor,

John

Posted by: John Ruskin at March 6, 2007 8:09 PM

Looks good.

Posted by: John Ruskin needs a nap at March 6, 2007 8:32 PM

I have to agree with John. What's really wrong is Cadman Plaza itself. Many dozens of centuries-old buildings, including a couple of of Brooklyn's original churches and some important Federal frame houses, were sacrificed to a deluded, self-aggrandizing vision of a "Brooklyn Champs Elysees" by 1950s Borough President John Cashmore. This idiotic notion not only obliterated history as well as cultural opportunity, it rendered the main artery of downtown Brooklyn as an utterly dead zone. Are we still kvetching 50 years later? You bet we are.

Posted by: Rascal at March 6, 2007 10:55 PM

Please don't be so superficial, brownstoner. Synthetic turf uses rubber crumbs from old tires -- it's seriously toxic stuff, with chemicals known to cause developmental delays in children. It also gets hot in summer temps, and it's very expensive. They justify the cost -- much higher than natural turf -- by claiming it won't need maintenance. So they spend capital funds to put it in, and what makes you think they'll maintain the synthetic turf? In five years, you'll be complaining that it looks ratty. Oh, yeah, it also smells like rubber. Just wait until summer.

Posted by: brooklynjamesjoseph at March 7, 2007 12:03 AM

As a dog owner who walks her hound in Fort Greene Park, I wonder how hard it would be to pick up poo from Astroturf? When the hound has tummy aches, I tend to take the whole clump of grass with me so there is very little chance of someone getting it on their shoes. What would I do with the 'Turf? Hose it down? Sounds impracticle.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 7, 2007 8:02 AM

When are they going to open up the park?! They've been fixing up the field for quite awhile. Take down the fence, put up some goals, and lets play already!

Posted by: PPX at March 7, 2007 9:59 AM

If a horse won't eat it, I don't want to play on it.
-Richie Allen

Posted by: Ace at March 7, 2007 10:48 AM

"it's seriously toxic stuff,"

actually you are absolutely wrong on this. do your research before speaking.

if it is true, sounds like you must have eaten a ton of it as a kid, cause YOU are the only poster so far on this thread that sounds as though they have developmental problems.

Posted by: anonymous at March 7, 2007 11:15 AM

After being transferred numerous times I spoke with a person in Parks Dept knowledgable about the status of the park. It is expected to open "in a few weeks." (I post this on 4/18) They are awaiting warmer weather to put the finishing surface on the new jogging path and the new grass that was planted (in side areas) needs to sprout.
I was told to expect "about 3 weeks" which would put the date in mid-May. See you out there. (though if you ever complained about the fake grass - you can't come... Ok, you can come - but you just can't enjoy it.)

Posted by: Jon at April 18, 2007 4:06 PM

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March 6, 2007

Cadman Plaza Update: Green Scene

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