Feedback on Sandpoint park site concepts
War Memorial Field Concept #1
Jennifer Stapleton said over 6 years ago:
This concept focuses on playability and durability of the field surfaces and therefore features artificial turf. An artificial surface is the best surface to achieve the highest level of playability and durability, especially considering our weather. It adds a softball field in compliance with Title IX requirements and realigns the baseball field to be northwest facing. This is preferred for baseball, especially from a safety standpoint. This concept also features an increased parking lot to reduce parking impacts on the neighborhood, an improved boat launch and increased boat/trailer parking. It contemplates a dog park as well as improved gathering space, restroom facilities and access at the waterfront. (Click on the image to see the concept full screen.)
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34 comments
Name not shown over 6 years ago
Will the softball field be for slowpitch softball and fastpitch softball?
Jennifer Stapleton over 6 years ago
I believe they were anticipating fast pitch and our consultants have now reached out to the softball coach to discuss further.
Mike Bauer over 6 years ago
In case you haven't addressed this already, this concept affects the Festival at Sandpoint, and I believe they need to be a partner in this discussion. Artificial turf can reach high temperatures which would affect concert seating. Water can be applied to reduce temperatures, or a covering can be used.
Jennifer Stapleton over 6 years ago
Thank you for the comment and bringing up this concern. We have been in discussions with the Festival at Sandpoint Board of Directors and production team and we will continue doing so to ensure that their needs and concerns can be addressed as best we can. We are working towards an outcome that addresses the lack of play-ability on our fields throughout the year due to our weather conditions and soils but also takes into consideration the needs of our various field users, including the Festival at Sandpoint.
Mike Bauer over 6 years ago
I knew you were on this!
Rob Osborn over 6 years ago
I don’t know about softball field requirements but baseball field designs require dirt running paths, batters boxes, infield and a raised mound. This will create a hazard for the softball left fielder.
It seems that only one field will work on this site.
Tom Diehl over 6 years ago
Thank you for your comments.
The plan is to have a removable baseball mound and baseball would play on synthetic turf base paths and infield.
Rob Osborn over 6 years ago
Sliding into base and batting boxes on artificial turf will absolutely not work. Visiting HS and American Legion baseball teams will not play on this field which means moving to Pine Street which may be the underlying plan. If that’s the case, just move baseball out and don’t spend the money on a second field.
Tom Diehl over 6 years ago
Rob,
Thanks for your comments. We have consulted with the Sandpoint Athletic Department, athletes, and the Baseball Coach. They all indicated their support for synthetic turf.
Rob Osborn over 6 years ago
I think you need to clarify with the Athletic Department, athletes and the baseball coach that the running paths and batters boxes will be artificial turf. I can’t imagine they would approve. Synthetic infield/outfield turf is acceptable but not where you’re pivoting on a pitch or sliding into base.
Tom Diehl over 6 years ago
Rob,
We have confirmed with the coaches, Athletic Department, and several athletes - they understand that the entire surface would be synthetic turf - and they indicated their support for synthetic turf.
Rob Osborn over 6 years ago
Thanks for following up on this.
Chris Bessler over 6 years ago
Jennifer, what were the actual numbers of comments for grass versus artificial turf that were received during the scoping sessions? I asked that question at the presentation in the Panida and the reply was vague ("mixed") but it would be useful to know how the public has weighed in so far on this question.
Jennifer Stapleton over 6 years ago
Hi Chris, I don't have the answer off of the top of my head today. GreenPlay will be sending us a summary for the City Council meeting on Wednesday, October 16th, where the Council will consider whether to move forward with the design concept and authorize us moving to the next step of final engineering.
Frank Schwab over 6 years ago
I grew up here 1 fields worked great for all these years. If we had nothing I could see doing something but building a California field of dreams seems unnecessary.
10 years ago we had around the same amount of residents but the budget was 21.7 million now it's 39.5 million. What's wrong with leaving something alone if it works good? Does the City believe this is best when some of the taxes are coming from our homeless living in their cars because they can't afford 1st, last, and deposit? Sorry I tend to question everything and our homeless have been my number one issue for years. After hearing 100 are homeless at our middle School I believe this isn't really important.
Jennifer Stapleton over 6 years ago
Thank you for your input. The funding for the field resurfacing is coming from the 1% Local Option Sales Tax which was approved by a super majority of City voters in November, 2016. This funding is restricted as follows:
Priority one: War Memorial Field Grandstand project as designed by Sewell & Associates;
Priority two: Replace drainage and field surface at War Memorial Field;
Priority three: Repair and replacement of War Memorial Field infrastructure; and
Priority four: Improve parks infrastructure, such as City Beach parking lot and Travers Park parking lot
Also, the City will retain the actual cost of collecting and administering the tax.
The Mayor and City Council have identified housing affordability as a significant and priority issue. It will be a significant topic in the Comprehensive Plan update effort which is kicking off later this month.
Frank Schwab over 6 years ago
Didn't your grandma ever say "every penny adds up"? The 1% tax is part of the problem. I assume cut the tax they have the extra penny in their pockets to put towards finding a home.
Crystal Kannegaard over 6 years ago
You should never assume. We do need to maintain our parks and currently there is not adequate parking for any of them, so nearby residents are bombarded with people parking all over the place near the parks. As Jennifer stated, the tax was approved by the voters and they are simply asking for input on how to appropriately spend the funds. This forum is a discussion page on what voters would like to see provided with those funds. It isn’t about complaining about the tax and how people can afford housing here.
Frank Schwab over 6 years ago
Not too worried about it now a bunch of locals are starting to collect canvas tents which our military says is adequate shelters. Once the drainage is complete our homeless are able to use the ruling in Martin vs Boise which states if "adequate shelter 'beds' are not available the City can't stop our homeless from camping in the park. Perks = security fencing, public utilities, great tent drainage, and an awesome view.
Name not shown over 6 years ago
I am curious, during the presentation they mentioned this change “It adds a softball field in compliance with Title IX requirements and realigns the baseball field to be northwest facing. This is preferred for baseball, especially from a safety standpoint.” Please correct me if I am missing something, doesn’t this put the softball field in the same orientation as what the current baseball field is? Wouldn’t it be creating the same problem for softball that is the present concern for baseball?
Liz Koster over 6 years ago
We are a town of 9,500 people. The 1% tax does not fully fund the artificial turf replacement, nor will it fund what we still don’t know to be the ongoing management, maintenance and periodic replacement costs for it. It seems absolutely ridiculous to me that we live in such a beautiful place, surrounded by nature, with lush greenery and want to replace that with incredibly expensive artificial materials. This item specifically needs a full vote by the community, for both the full initial costs and transparency and full approval to what the true ongoing/permanent costs will be. Also, this would continue to drive massive amounts of traffic and people into south Sandpoint, which also brings litter, crime and vandalism to what once was our lovely and quiet neighborhood. Full transparency and approval from all citizens, not just those who live within a few blocks (which is who was included the last go around), for this type of huge spend is necessary. I appreciate the efforts to “improve” things, but what we might gain in a few extra weeks of play time is not worth the crazy costs, both initial and ongoing, for this type of project for a town of 9,500 people. We need to live within our means.
Liz Koster over 6 years ago
I just read the article in today’s paper (10/15) that the Board will vote on approval this Wed. I undertood before the project could proceed, analysis would include what the ongoing maintenance & replacement costs would be. In addition, that Sandpoint residents would have to vote on the material ongoing budget increase to pay for that. Could you help me understand how we can vote to proceed without the public’s engagement & ultimate approval to pay for artificial turf? Thank you.
Name not shown over 6 years ago
Absolutely agree with this citizen. Parking is crazy from Euclid to Olive and sometimes almost north to the highway. The city should not provide facilities that it cannot provide adequate parking for. Another example is the Travers Centennial Northern tri-park complex. There wasn't even enough parking for events at Travers from the get go and then you added two more parks with dramatically inadequate parking. I'd say the residents along Lincoln have it even worse than the residents around Memorial Field.
Karen Amestoy over 6 years ago
I completely agree with Liz Koster's comments. I am especially concerned about maintenance and replacement costs. My understanding from previous meetings is that the turf becomes unusable after a certain number of years and must be replaced. I do not think the 1% tax covers this and it needs to be addressed.
[email protected] Jensen over 6 years ago
How about put artificial turf at Travers Park. Build some bleachers there and LEAVE MEMORIAL FIELD THE WAY IT IS!
Ethan Schaffer over 6 years ago
Please don't go with the tire crumb style of artificial turf! Cork and sand based turf are a much better alternative. If not cork, go with regular sod. I have played on both tire crumb and cork. Cork has all the benefits of tire crumb without the drawbacks. I'll list what I don't like about tire crumb. I'll provide reference links below.
-Tires are a major known source of plastic pollution in oceans and water ways. It would be nearly impossible to prevent some runoff into the lake. You basically turn the entire field into a toxic waste dump.
-Tire crumb contains at least 5 known carcinogens and could cause cancer. Testing has not been adequate to prove that this product is safe, it doesn't stand up to the precautionary principal. There is growing research that I'll link to that shows this may be a real risk. As a cancer survivor, this is a major concern to me.
-It's unhygienic, messy and gross. The crumbs get all over you when you play. It gets stuck in all your clothes and hair. You track all that back home. I've even seen multiple people get crumbs lodged under their skin when they dive on the field. The embedded crumbs then cause infection The tire crumb is a perfect environment to harbor bacteria.
-It stinks, especially on hot days. It will be very unpleasant for the Festival.
Please don't use tire crumb turf!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/does-playing-on-artificial-turf-pose-a-health-risk-for-your-child/2017/03/17/0c61b7b4-0380-11e7-ad5b-d22680e18d10_story.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_turf%E2%80%93cancer_hypothesis
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/09/tires-unseen-plastic-polluter/
Jennifer Stapleton over 6 years ago
Thank you for your feedback Ethan. Multiple artificial turf options have been and will continue to be considered if the Council selects this design concept. We have also looked at a natural coconut option.
Miriam Robinson Robinson over 6 years ago
This is my major concern. The toxicity of artificial turf. Has a toxicity report been done? Do we know the full environmental impact this will have?
Center for Environmental Health, https://www.ceh.org/get-involved/take-action/a-cocktail-of-harmful-chemicals-in-artificial-turf-infill/
Liz Koster over 6 years ago
Hello, How will the Memorial Field boat launch be impacted by the increased parking noted in the plan? Seems as though the parking spaces noted in the drive through area would make it difficult for both boaters and drivers to move in/out. Interested in what was considered here. Thanks.
Jennifer Stapleton over 6 years ago
The draft concept and final design have and will fully consider the boat launch. It is intended that more trailer parking will be available to launch users which will also reduce impact on the neighborhood. A pull-out area will also be considered allowing boaters to stage before launching and after pulling out their boats. Improvements to the boat launch itself are also being planned.
Name not shown over 6 years ago
The sod has not been replaced for over 40 years - probably more. I've lived here a long time years and don't recall any sod replacement nor do any of my friends who played football on the field in the 1950's and 1960's. Put in the base you need for drainage and lay the sod and you're good for another 50 years. Sandpoint does NOT need to provide a playing field for every sport in every season. If the schools athletic departments are driving the artificial turf, let them build their own stadium and put the surface they want down there. The citizens of Sandpoint have shouldered this burden for way too long.
Name not shown over 6 years ago
From what I have read the risk of injury on turf is much greater. Studies have shown and proven this.
Ann Neal over 6 years ago
I am absolutely against the artificial turf. It brings potential catastrophic health problems to our youth. It contains lead and arsenic plus many other known harmful compounds. If there is even the slightest possibility of our youth being adversely affected by coming into contact with the polyethelene and crumb rubber surface, the vote should be NO. In a world that is becoming more and more artificial, let's keep our town as natural as possible. The natural turf option provides the drainage which is needed to allow the field to be accessed more quickly than before.
Katherine Converse about 6 years ago
In reference to the Memorial Field plan proposed here. (1) I am opposed to artificial turf. The cost to implement and maintain both financially and environmentally are unnecessary. The natural grass is a good playing surface.
(2) I am opposed to the dog park. Sandpoint should not fence off this precious, rare, and public waterfront area for a dog park. Residents, taxpayers, of this neighborhood have enjoyed walking along that waterfront and if it is built into a dog park that will be taken away from us. It is bad enough that dogs are now allowed in Lakeview park. My tax dollars should not pay for that!
(3)Let's drop the 1% tax and reduce the scope of these projects. For the Memorial Field concept, I would suggest focusing on the parking issues above all and drop these other features that are added to the project. These were not in the original scope of the grandstand replacement!
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