By Lauren MacFadden ’17

Of the 26 high schools in MCPS, only four currently have artificial fields: Montgomery Blair, Walter Johnson, Richard Montgomery and Wootton. In November 2015, Interim Superintendent Larry Bowers recommended that all high schools in Montgomery County replace their grass fields with turf.

Each turf field costs an estimated $500,000 . The superintendent hopes to have $11 million in funding, which may not even be enough to facilitate turf fields in the rest of the remaining schools. The artificial fields, along with other construction projects, are part of a six-year construction plan with a proposed budget of $1.72 billion.

Although MCPS is considering switching to turf fields, media reports have raised health concerns. Turf fields are made with small granules of rubber rumored to cause cancer; many became more aware of the issue when an NBC investigation covered the topic. Loudoun County parents created a petition to remove crumb rubber and replace it with safer materials in all turf fields. This petition received 900 signatures, although no action has been made to change the ingredients in the artificial fields.

To address the health concerns, MCPS plans to switch the materials from rubber to coconut or rice fiber, and the MCPS council requested all future projects to use the new organic materials. MCPS published the Rationale for Artificial Surface Fields at MCPS Stadium Fields to negate the health concerns revolving around cancer. Because there has been no solid link to cancer and the rubber fibers in the artificial fields, the health risks are merely theories and MCPS considers them safe to play on. The document also list multiple benefits of turf; it is easier to maintain and is more durable than natural grass, and there would be a decrease in cancellations due to weather. Artificial fields are safer as well for sports like soccer and field hockey because, unlike grass, it does not get torn up and will not become uneven. This switch to turf will prevent many injuries during games, according to the MCPS document.

The quality of games themselves might improve when played on artificial grass. “The playing field is much bigger on a turf field than a grass field and there is more time and space on the field for the athletes,” said varsity soccer coach Matt Parsons.

Along with a safer playing field and benefits for the athletes, Sherwood would be able to host other sporting events like state semifinal games because of the turf’s durability. The majority of Montgomery County high schools do not have turf fields, and they are not selected to host many events because grass does not hold up well over the course of the season. If Sherwood and other schools are able to receive turf fields, a level of prestige would be added to the school system.

“It is disappointing when the same schools get to host the state games every year. The athletic department at Sherwood works hard for their student athletes, and it would be great to showcase their school and athletic department at a state game,” said varsity field hockey coach Amy Morse.