With the release this week of the Gale Associates study of Harvard’s eight athletic fields, the town finally has the data it needs to plan for their future.
It’s no surprise to learn that seven of the town’s eight fields are overused, but the extent of the overuse is cause for concern. And the failure thus far to identify any town-owned or private land suitable for expansion leaves the town with few options.
Gale’s suggestion that the town either add a synthetic turf field to upper Depot field or convert the field at Harvard Park to synthetic turf, and equip the synthetic field with lights, is bound to encounter stiff opposition from a number of stakeholders. A lighted synthetic turf field, the report claims, would allow three times the use of a grass field. But the Climate Initiative Committee and Board of Health have asked to be consulted, pitting health and environmental concerns against the benefits of synthetic turf.
Gale was not asked to provide answers to the maintenance and drainage issues that continue to plague the eight fields. (The money approved by Town Meeting limited the scope of Gale’s contract.) These problems would continue to exist even if the town chooses to add a synthetic turf field. Marisa Steele, fields liaison for the Parks and Recreation Commission, told the Press that a memo of understanding between the Department of Public Works and Parks and Rec remains unsigned, with plenty of finger-pointing as to the lack of progress.
Select Board Chair Rich Maiore said Tuesday night that improving the condition and availability of playing fields in Harvard remains a top board priority. The board, he said, hopes to present an option to voters at Town Meeting in April.
Meantime, we applaud Gale’s work. For the first time the town has the hard data it needs to realistically assess the problems that plague Harvard’s playing fields. But the work of solving them has just begun.
