Josh from Oak Park  

Posted: June 7th, 2013 4:22 PM

I feel for those who are looking for real grass but I have to say, look at Longfellow park, it was re-sodded last year and now it looks like Beirut after a season of baseball & soccer, even the new sod at Longfellow school isn't looking too healthy.

Not easy being green  

Posted: June 7th, 2013 2:37 PM

So after spending a million dollars, Irving kids will still be the only ones in the district without real grass to play on, while the kids from the wealthier schools will now be able to play their soccer games without having to drive to Berwyn. Sounds like a win win.

OP Resident # 545 from Oak Park  

Posted: June 6th, 2013 4:06 PM

not easy: no, the idea was to provide a safe, more useable playground & field, one that could be used despite bad weather & also provide the community with another much needed sports/activity field. To simply replace the blacktop with grass wasn't realistic, nor is it a prudent investment. Also, the design gives the school a safer layout for the playground. Being "green" for "green's" sake really isn't practical in this community. Not enough land/space.

Not easy being green I guess  

Posted: June 6th, 2013 3:12 PM

I guess the new petroleum-based surface will literally be "green", but I thought the plan was to provide some actual grass/nature for the kids? How is artificial turf--whatever color-- more "green" for the kids than the blacktop was?