SHERMAN OAKS—The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and Councilmember Tom LaBonge of the Fourth District attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new soccer turfs on July 12.  The three new synthetic soccer fields are located at the Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Recreation Center, 14230 Magnolia Blvd., CA 91423.

 

After collecting $2.7 million in funding, the project is expected to begin construction. The project is expected to add to the Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Recreation Center, two full-sized and one small synthetic turf soccer field.

 

According to a press release from the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, LaBonge identified that the project was his top priority two years ago. He tweeted, “Can’t wait to see the 3 new synthetic turf soccer fields.” The project will help provide space for thousands of children to play. In addition, the park is supposed to save maintenance cost and conserve water.

 

“The new capital improvements reflect an ongoing turf reduction effort by the City to cut down on water consumption and maintenance costs,” said Michael A. Shull, the general manager of the Recreations and Parks. According to Shull, the hot climate of the valley affects the facility making it extremely difficult to maintain.  The synthetic turf is the appropriate option. Shull said, “The synthetic turf option will allow the new fields to be used all year long, with no downtime for turf rehabilitation, and will result in a substantial decrease in water consumption.”

 

The project includes additional improvements such as new paved walkways and new seating areas with benches.

 

In another step to conserve water, the city of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) reopened a golf course on July 14 in Los Feliz. The newly reopened golf course is expected to save 5.5 million gallons of domestic drinking water per year.