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Township To Purchase Special Vehicle For New Artificial Turf Fields
By Catherine Galioto
Only certain vehicles can drive on artificial turf fields. The township recently installed artificial turf fields, but has no vehicles that can drive on them.
But now that Brick has turf fields, it will buy one vehicle with the ability to drive across them.
The situation is different with an artificial turf field. It's not like driving across a grass lawn. The rubbery composite would be ruined if street-ready vehicles drove on it, officials said.
Moreso, council members said the issue is one of safety.
What if there is a neck injury, and an emergency vehicle can't get to the spot the player was hurt? The purchase of this vehicle will prevent any delays, said Township Administrator Scott Pezarras.
"One time you have to use it to save a child's life, it's worth it," said Councilman Anthony Matthews, also on the township recreation committee.
The vehicle would be in the fleet of the township parks department.
The council this week approved going to bid for the purchase.
The move stems from a multi-field project set for completion this month. The Veterans Memorial and Drum Point Sports Complex were outfitted with the artificial turf. The project was discussed earlier this year and began in earnest early summer.
The construction phase took about six weeks. Matthews said the project would be a money saver and will be safer for athletes. Officials have pointed to safety issues with grass, specifically pits, ruts and puddles that require frequent maintenance during playing seasons. The impact is softer that real grass, too, officials said.
Synthetic fields are made of polyethylene fibers simulating grass stabilized with rubber pellets. The hope is the material will require little maintenance compared with the watering and mowing real grass requires.
"You do actually have to 'water' it," Pezarras said, to crowd laugher. It not about keeping it growing of course, but keeping it clean.
Additionally, sports that often have to wait for the best fields might not have to wait for the turf fields, since the fields can be used more often without having to wait for maintenance for wear and tear. Fields covered in puddles won't stop a game or close a field made of turf, officials said.
Matthews said the switch will first impact the 1,600 children who participate in football, flag waving and cheering during the season's games. He praised the fields, now used during the football games of township schools.
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