During a recent government meeting, city officials discussed the ongoing challenges of maintaining natural grass fields in Sunnyvale, highlighting the need for a strategic approach to improve their quality for community sports. Councilmember Melton emphasized the difficulties faced over the past decade, including environmental factors like sun, rain, and drought, as well as heavy usage by local sports teams. He called for a collaborative effort to explore potential solutions, suggesting that staff develop a study or budget issue to address the maintenance of these fields.

City staff acknowledged the limitations of natural grass, noting that while maintenance efforts are in place, the fields require adequate rest and reduced usage to remain functional. The conversation shifted to the financial aspects of field usage, with Vice Mayor Basin questioning the stark contrast in rental rates between synthetic and natural fields. Staff explained that synthetic turf is priced at market rates due to higher demand, while natural grass fields are rented at significantly lower rates, reflecting their limited availability during certain seasons.

The council also addressed the future of artificial turf in city facilities, with discussions about a proposed ban on new installations. Staff clarified that existing artificial turf would remain until its useful life ends, at which point replacements would be natural grass. This policy aims to align with community preferences for sustainable practices while ensuring that current facilities continue to serve their intended purpose.

As the meeting concluded, officials recognized the importance of parks as essential city services and committed to further discussions on how to enhance the quality and accessibility of sports fields for residents. The council plans to revisit the topic, ensuring that community input is considered in future decisions regarding park maintenance and development.