Closing Bell: (Astro)turf War
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,…
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
I know a couple of the guys who play soccer there, a contractor’s assistant, and a super of a local apt building where I am sure some of these concerned parents dwell. The soccer players kids also go to p.s.8 and play in that park too.
The park has a whole other side to it, on the other side of the memorial, and no games happen there. It’s also grass, not potentially carcinogenic little rubber pellets and plastic grass, so probably safer for kids. Obviously the field where they play soccer was astroturfed to deal with heavy use. With another side NOT astroturfed for heavy use, it seems like there really should be enough space for everyone and their various uses, no?
There is also a tremendous amount of real grass at either sides off from the central area-more grass than there was before with sitting areas. My son played baseball there. If you think a soccer ball is dangerous…baseballs are much worse.
talknerdy, the guys (and gals) who take over the park mid-day everyday for soccer are attorneys. perhaps the take care of your children, but that’s a different issue.
What’s up with these idiot parents? In very short walking distance from Cadman Plaza are at least two excellent playgrounds, designed with young children in mind! When I was towing around my young children, if I encountered a park filled with flying projectiles, I WENT SOMEWHERE ELSE.
I think the people who deliver food, rehab houses at $15/hour, take care of other people’s kids while the parents are earning six figures, sit outside bodegas all night long and in the winter time, deserve to run around the damn field all they want.
Damn adults being mean to children! Shouldn’t they be working anyway!
issue isn’t the kids who use the playgrounds. photo is not representative of the situation
Why are they playing soccer anyway? What happened to baseball?!?! Is this America or what???