VPB Memorial South Petition

To:  Vancouver Park Board

With regard to the development of new synthetic turf fields in Vancouver, we, The Undersigned, urge Vancouver Park Board not to make any changes to the grass oval field at Memorial South Park. This field is an excellent natural surface that supports hundreds of hours of quality multi-use play year round. We feel that converting good grass fields to synthetic turf is not at all the best course of action -- converting other lower-quality sites would provide a greater increase in the capacity AND quality of fields in Vancouver.

Furthermore, the development of Memorial Oval from grass to synthetic turf would result in harm to user groups who have historical permits to the field, including cricket and ultimate. We note that Memorial Oval is the only cricket pitch in East Vancouver. We note that junior programming within the ultimate league has been held at Memorial Oval each summer for the past 10 years. The proposed development of this field could well result in the loss of these sporting opportunities.

We highlight the fact that the Vancouver Field Sport Federation (VFSF) has unanimously accepted a recommendation to VPB supporting the development of the north-west field at Memorial Park and opposing the development of the Oval in the syn-turf selection process. (The VFSF even recommends the conversion of Beaconsfield or Rupert before the oval.) We remind you that one of the objectives of the VFSF from the time of its formation is ‘to advise the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation of the various needs of the member sports’. Please do not disregard this recommendation.

We urge you to leave the field at Memorial Oval in its natural state. We urge you not to disenfranchise the existing field and park users who enjoy this unique grass field. WE URGE YOU NOT TO SELECT MEMORIAL OVAL FOR SYNTHETIC TURF DEVELOPMENT.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The VPB Memorial South Petition Petition to Vancouver Park Board was created by Vancouver Field Sport Enthusuasts and written by WA Hawkins (ed@vul.bc.ca).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.