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Glen Ellyn Resident Files Suit to Stop the Installation of a Synthetic Turf Field at Newton Park

Posted on: June 4, 2015

June 4, 2015 — Newton Park neighbor and attorney, Glen Biggus, filed a complaint on behalf of Nancy Perlman, also a Newton Park neighbor, seeking a permanent injunction that would prohibit the Glen Ellyn Park District from installing the synthetic turf field at Newton Park for which site preparation work is presently under way. The lawsuit claims that the artificial turf will be both a nuisance and a health hazard to neighbors.

The Glen Ellyn Park District has already filed its Answer and a Memorandum of Law in opposition to the suit. Those pleadings include citation to numerous studies substantiating the absence of any health concern from synthetic turf fields. Those pleadings also describe the hardship and lost revenues that will result from any delay in the delivery of the field to the community. Executive Director Dave Harris stated, “Tremendous effort, time, consideration and financial resources of the Park District as well as Glenbard High School District #87 and several community groups, have gone into researching and developing an excellent and resourceful plan to provide an improved athletic field which will be hugely beneficial for the Glen Ellyn community. The improvements to the 50+ year old existing athletic field at Newton Park have been discussed, researched and strategized for the past four (4) years. It is an outcome of the increasing demands of youth athletics within Glen Ellyn, the limited inventory of quality, rectangular athletic fields and the challenging weather conditions that are present in this area.”

The Park District collaborated with the Glen Ellyn Golden Eagles football organization, the Glen Ellyn Bulldogs lacrosse club, the Glen Ellyn Lakers soccer association and Glenbard High School District #87 regarding this project. Each organization will benefit directly or indirectly by the installation of the synthetic turf field as will other local organizations including Glen Ellyn Youth Baseball and Glen Ellyn field hockey. Additionally, several of those groups are contributing financially to the expense of the installation and to the replacement costs that the District will incur in approximately ten years. As a result of these organizations commitments, the project will not adversely impact the Park District financially.

Glen Ellyn Park District Commissioner Gary Mayo added, “It’s unfortunate that the Park District will need to spend taxpayer dollars to fight this lawsuit. What’s more, any delays that result will create serious scheduling issues for the users and a loss of revenue for the Park District.”

The synthetic turf project will directly benefit over 6,000 residents per year, all of whom contribute taxes and pay significant user fees while also fundraising in an effort to enhance community programs and facilities. The safety and well being of participants and the community is a priority and the Glen Ellyn Park District is committed to best practices. With this in mind, the District performed its due diligence, researching the potential health and environmental impacts. Every single regulatory body that has performed and reviewed the substantial research on synthetic fields (including the Departments of Health for the States of California, Connecticut, and New York, as well as New York City and Norway) has concluded that the data on synthetic turf fields raises NO health concerns. As a result, FieldTurf was selected to supply and install the synthetic turf field. FieldTurf is an industry leader and has installed over 70% of the synthetic fields in the Chicago metro area. Their product is in the Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center and was selected by Glenbard High School District #87 for installation at each of their four high schools. Other nearby sites that have chosen and installed FieldTurf include Wheaton College, Wheaton Park District, Wheaton Academy, St. Francis High School, Hinsdale Central High School, Downers Grove North High School and Downers Grove South High School. Additionally the Park District chose to upgrade the infill by selecting a cryogenic product that further minimizes any risk that the sand or rubber infill will migrate from the field either by water or wind.