PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 20, 2025
Regarding the Jan. 9 article “South Portland debates natural vs. artificial grass at planned athletic facility,” the School Board and the public should understand that athletic fields are not nature preserves, parks or grassed lawns. They are not “natural.” Athletic fields are engineered systems that require significant resources (mowing, watering, fertilizer and maintenance) to maximize their use and longevity. The presentation from Portland’s nonprofit Defend Our Health was not applicable to the turf/infill products proposed in South Portland. Opponents spoke about microplastics. Microplastics are an emerging contaminant and most studies focus on drinking water originating from surface water sources. This is not applicable to the proposed turf. ~ Aaron Martin, South Portland