Townley Field is a 3.4 acre field located just behind and south of Joseph Sears School in Kenilworth.  Having had two children make their way through this K-8 school, I am too aware of the field's shortcomings.  The field hosts innumerable events including football, soccer, track and field, and a winter ice-skating rink.  Undeniably, it has a big job and it's taking its toll.  The grass is sparse, and the field is muddy in winter and hard as rock in summer. 

Now some residents think it's time for an upgrade.  Like faux grass upgrade.  A group has gotten together and pledged $1 million dollars to install a synthetic grass carpet that they feel is more durable and safe.  It also has been installed in other suburbs with good results and can be used year round.  Opponents say otherwise - they think it gets too hot in the summer and is not, in fact, safe for athletes and children.  Of course, aesthetics is an issue, as well.

Kenilworth taxpayers would foot the bill for a new sod layer which would cost between $300,000 and $500,000. There will be two advisory referendum measures next Tuesday:  the first will ask voters if they support redoing the field in artificial turf, and the second asks whether voters would back a tax increase to pay for a natural grass re-sodding.  Although money is not the only issue, the obvious benefit to the artificial turf would be that there would be no cost to taxpayers.