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Priory proposes synthetic grass for fields  

By Almanac Staff

In its bid to resurface three athletic fields with synthetic grass, Woodside Priory, the private Portola Valley Catholic school for grades 6-12, hosted a joint onsite meeting of the town's Planning and Architecture & Site Control commissions to discuss the matter on Tuesday, Feb. 1.The school is proposing the plastic surface for the soccer field, the softball field and the volleyball court, a total of about three acres, according to a staff report by Town Planner Tom Vlasic. The commissions will formally review the proposal in the coming months. Synthetic fields don't need irrigation and are reportedly more durable, can be played on sooner after a rain, and give athletes improved traction and athletic performance.

Comments by Town Square posters

Posted by GrassFan, a resident of another community:

I'm a Priory parent and would really rather see the school not put in a fake field. The school is blessed with such a beautiful piece of property. To me, it would be sad to see that ugly artificial turf out there in front of the school and along Portola Road.

Posted by PV mom, a resident of Portola Valley:

I get the issues of usability, economics, better for photography, but please, it would look so wrong in Portola Valley. What's next? Artificial trees? (Oh yes, they have those already — cell phone towers — ugh!)

Posted by Menlo Voter, a resident of the Menlo Park:

Amazing. I'm betting all you artificial turf haters are a bunch of tree huggers too. If you love your trees and your environment then you should be happy to see artificial turf. It saves water and it doesn't require the introduction of a bunch of fertilizers. Can you say hypocrites? Either you believe in protecting the environment or you don't. If you do, then artificial turf is a "green" alternative. Large areas of lawn are not "natural" nor are they native plants. It always amazes me how people want to be "green" until they find out the cost or that it's not as "pretty" as the real stuff

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Posted by Recent Priory grad, a resident of the Portola Valley:

I went to the Priory for seven years, have played soccer my whole life and have lived in Portola Valley for long enough. Field turf is sorely needed in our town. No more games cancelled because of rain. No more lost seasons of school sports because they can't get the fields in order. No more cancelled AYSO games or games in Foster City and Woodside. I have seen the Priory and the town of Portola Valley spend tens of thousands of dollars over the years redoing the fields at Priory, Town Center, and 'Zots. Artificial turf does not need maintenance. Or water. This past Christmas we drove to Woodside to play our family/town pick-up soccer game. It was pouring rain and we had a blast without damaging the field. Why shouldn't we be able to do this in Portola Valley? It's about time for field turf.

Go to AlmanacNews.com/square to join the conversation on Town Square.