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Goal or foul? The debate over building a soccer field in Lincoln Park rages on
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The controversial soccer field sits untouched
At the south end of Lincoln Park, near the North Avenue Beach bridge, a fenced-off partially constructed soccer field sits untouched. No balls are being kicked around; no red cards handed out. What's the hold-up? The proposed field has caused a heated debate since 2006, when it started off as a project funded by the nearby Latin School, a pricey private institution.
The original plan was that Latin would pony up the $2 million for the field, and in return the Chicago Park District would pay for the lighting and probably the upkeep. The school would get first priority to use the field during peak hours for the next 10 years, which was the first issue of contention with the neighborhood---but certainly not the only one.
The opposition
A group of Lincoln Park residents formed the Committee to Keep Lincoln Park Public to oppose the field, and their main beef with it was that the area had been designated an "open space". On the committee's website, it states the park had been "raped in broad daylight," referencing the lack of warning residents received about the field.
The committee also shunned the fact that a private school was gobbling up public park space, and that no assessment of the community's needs was done prior to planning the field. A statement goes on to say that the neighborhood probably has one of the lowest percentages of school-aged children in the city, so why not build a soccer field elsewhere? OK, while it might be true that not many kids call Lincoln Park home, there's certainly no shortage of children hanging around the south end of Lincoln Park, with the zoo and beach just steps away. Seems like a pretty weak excuse, but what about the dangers of artificial turf?!
Yep, the committee also voiced concern over the adverse health affects of turf and, it turns out, might be on to something. The CDC issued an advisory on June 18, 2008 that certain types of turf contain "potentially unhealthy levels of lead dust," usually when older, weathered turf made of nylon or a nylon/polyethylene blend is concerned. More tests are being done by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services to determine risks, though. And, naturally, the Synthetic Turf Council says that the type of lead in turf isn't the same damaging substance that used to be found in paint. It's lead chromate, which isn't easily absorbed by the body and doesn't leave lead behind in the soil.
Now what?
The committee eventually sued the Chicago Park District. On May 14, CPD voted to pay about $2 million to end the controversial deal with Latin School, but also said it would finish the field without the school's support. So where does that leave things? Pretty much where they were back in 2006, except now the city's shelling out the money and the Latin School doesn't get priority use of the field. The Park District says it'll finish the field, but the Committee to Keep Lincoln Park Public is threatening another lawsuit. At the June Park District board meeting, Superintendant Tim Mitchell said to opponents that “You know, we intend to complete that field!” The committee retorts on its website that "No, means no!" and asks residents to take action by contacting officials and signing an online petition, which so far has 273 signatures.
The 43rd Ward Alderman Vi Daley said in the most recent ward newsletter that she believes "a soccer field is a welcome addition to an area that is already host to baseball fields and basketball courts." When I called her office, they said that the field is already 80-percent finished, so if the Park District doesn't complete it, the city would basically be out $2 million for nothing. Still, no further progress can be made until a meeting with the Chicago Planning Commission in August. I suppose the fall's a fine time for a soccer game, right?
Share your thoughts on the proposed field by clicking on 'Comments' below.
Read a Tribune story about the field here.
Voice your support or opposition by contacting Vi Daley's office at 773/327-9111 or visiting her site here.
Does all this sound familiar? A similar debate went on about moving the Chicago Children's Museum to Grant Park.
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