Is the project going to remove all of the existing trees on the site?
No. The project intends to integrate most of the existing trees into the new design. However, existing trees that are leaning, in poor health or pose a safety issue to the community, as determined by the City’s Arborist, will be removed and replaced. Replacement tree types have yet to be determined.
Is there any relationship between artificial turf and the risk of concussion?
The conceptual design calls out for new shade structures. Why are these needed?
The shade structures are being proposed to cover the toddler play area. The older kids play area will utilize the existing shade from the surrounding trees.
The conceptual design shows some work at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Goldenrod Avenue. What is this area going to be used for?
The project proposes leveling the corner of Fifth Avenue and Goldenrod Avenue to remove the existing retaining wall. The soil from this area will be used as infill for the synthetic turf field, enabling the corner to accommodate a water wise garden with meandering walk and bench seating for passive use.
What changes can the community expect at the playgrounds?
The project aims to provide new play equipment, in addition to increasing connectivity between the two play areas and integrating more seating areas.
What changes will be made to the Fifth Avenue frontage?
While the project is in the early stages of design, the project scope along Fifth Avenue may include new sidewalk, leveling to remove retaining walls, removal and replacement of City trees, and possible undergrounding of existing above ground utility poles and wires.
What will happen to all the Memorial Trees?
All memorial trees will be protected-in-place.
Which Newport Beach athletic fields currently utilize synthetic turf? What benefits have the City and field users gained by converting to synthetic turf?
Bonita Creek Park is the only City facility that is utilizing synthetic turf at this time. However, Newport Harbor High School and Sage Hill School have also converted to synthetic turf athletic fields.
Since the Bonita Creek Park synthetic turf athletic field opened in September 2015, the fields have only been closed one day due to a heavy rain event. The synthetic turf fields have provided club soccer organizations the ability to play year-round. It has also provided non-traditional sports like Girls Lacrosse, whose season overlaps with the City’s field closure maintenance schedule, a place to practice. The conversion to synthetic turf fields has reduced the City’s annual maintenance cost by approximately 85%. For more information on the synthetic turf at Bonita Creek Park Athletic Field, click here.
Why choose synthetic turf over natural grass?
The costly and intricate maintenance of natural grass makes it difficult for many institutions and municipalities to keep their fields in a playable condition which is safe enough for its players. A synthetic turf field with proper infill provides a near-perfect surface for years, with limited maintenance. Artificial turf represents a higher initial capital cost than natural grass, but this is often recuperated through extended hours of use of the fields (no down time, no recovery time, playing longer into different seasons), lowered maintenance costs (no watering, no mowing, no chemicals), and revenue generation (renting the field).
Will the Community Youth Center (CYC) be upgraded as part of this project?
The project may include some upgrades to the CYC’s exterior building lighting and parking lot lighting. Otherwise, no interior work is planned.
Will the tennis courts be upgraded as part of this project?
No, the tennis courts are not part of the current project scope.
With the new synthetic turf field installation, we are not allowed to have food or flavored drinks on the field. Where should the teams gather before and after the games?
The conversion to synthetic turf athletic field comes with new rules and policies, such as not allowing food and flavored drinks onto the field. However, the project’s preliminary conceptual design is proposing to create a spectator staging area between the restroom building and the athletic fields. This area would include shaded seating with barbecues and an upgraded drinking/bottle filling station, for team gatherings before and after games.
