Mill Valley studies artificial turf for playing fields
Mill Valley might one day convert recreational fields to artificial turf, but a recent analysis revealed no clear options.
City staff presented a synthetic turf feasibility review to the Parks and Recreation Commission on Wednesday. It was the second study since 2020.
Artificial turf uses less water and allows for more usage, but factors such as field ownership and infrastructure could complicate a transition to turf, the report said.
“I think as we continue to need more availability for field space and as we continue to look at ways to save water, which is obviously a precious natural resource, it makes sense to continue to look at options for artificial turf,” commission chair Vanessa Justice said.
Mark Neumann, director of operations and utilities for Mill Valley, said the review is routine and is meant to advise the commission on potential renovations. He said there is no plan to renovate any of the city’s fields yet.
“We’ve discussed it a bit, about what the best field is if we wanted to do it,” Neumann said. “There’s not a clear, best location. Every location has its downsides.”
Mill Valley maintains seven fields: Friends Field, Bayfront Field, Bell-Ropers Field, Hauke North Field, Hauke South Field, Alto Field and Boyle Field. These fields are mainly used for recreational sports, such as soccer, lacrosse, baseball, football and softball, which are scheduled by the city’s arts and recreation department.
But the Boyle and Bell-Ropers fields are too small to support soccer, a requirement for evaluating artificial turf prospects, and have been eliminated from further review.
Other factors beyond size that have to be considered include the permitting agency, the soil type — sand is better for sports because it has good drainage, but needs more upkeep and maintenance — and when the most recent renovation was done.
Friends Field is the largest at 130,000 square feet, but would require collaboration with the Mill Valley School District and was renovated in 2019. Additionally, five of the seven fields require permitting through the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, which would add costs and time to the process.
“There’s a lot of considerations,” Justice said. “It’s not cut and dry, and especially because we don’t have a super obvious field to transition to turf and because it is really costly. It’s just not something that will be an easy decision, if that decision is made in the future.”
Development of a turf field could cost between $6 million and $12 million.
Neumann said turf would expand the play and practice times for the teams that use the field because they wouldn’t need to shut them down for weather or maintenance as often. Synthetic turf only needs occasional irrigation to keep dust at bay.
“It’s also a playability thing,” Neumann said. “Right now we have two periods each year where we have the fields shut down for rest and renovations. You’d have much more play time for the leagues that are using it.”
Clay-based soil fields, such as Hauke North and Boyle, tend to be unplayable for most of the winter. Justice said there are more people and sports leagues looking to use the city’s fields, and artificial turf could increase availability.
A critical part of maintaining the grass fields for sports throughout the year is irrigation, which amounts to the city’s largest use of potable water.
For example, the sandy soil of Friends Field requires 115,000 square feet of irrigation — or 2,161,129 gallons of water — sourced from the Marin Municipal Water District, according to the review. The other six fields require about 11 million gallons of water, although some water is sourced from a reclamation plant — mixed with one-third water district water to dilute the salt.
“I think it was just obvious that we’re maybe approaching a fever pitch about field availability and turf and it’s an issue that’s not going to stop being inquired about,” Justice said.