Natural Grass for the WIN! - Citizens for Responsible Athletic Field Development

Natural grass ATHLETIC fields are designed to withstand sports activities.

Westfield has ZERO natural grass athletic fields.
Westfield has minimally maintained schoolyards and parks, forced to serve as athletic fields.

Natural grass ATHLETIC fields offer many benefits:

Durable, safer, virtually rain-out proof playing surfaces
Provide far more hours of play than Westfield’s current playgrounds and parks that are being used as fields
Absorb storm water and require less irrigation
Free from toxic chemicals
Provide cool and cushioned surfaces
Do not need to be rested or replaced
Grow stronger and resilient as soil health improves
Captures and store carbon dioxide in the rootless and soil
Cost far less to install and maintain than artificial turf over time

“Towns and schools have an obligation to have their children and students play on a safe surface - and there is no safer surface than grass.”

“Access to green space was associated with the improved mental well-being, overall health and cognitive development of children.”

Organic Management of Natural Grass

The Field Fund works with the towns, schools, and community of Martha’s Vineyard – including recreational sports leagues – to preserve and improve the island’s natural grass playing fields. They offer support to improve and better maintain their fields using a regenerative approach.

Check out their website to learn more about natural grass fields and links to other resources.