Supporting Data
The lack of available, durable field space in Rye is not a new problem. Our community has been challenged with this issue for years while other communities in Westchester & Fairfield counties continue to provide more available space for their kids to play.
Below are supporting facts why the families of Rye need to act now to Let The Kids Play:
- Rye grass fields sit CLOSED and UNUSED for 7 months/year
- Depending on the year, 15 - 30% of scheduled practices and games on Rye grass fields are cancelled resulting in as many as 500 hours of cancelled playtime in tough weather years
- Renting turf fields has a financial impact on our families:
-Our youth sports organizations pay $150,000+ per season to use turf field facilities in other towns
-This results in increased youth sports programming costs for all participants
-In contrast, in 2021 the New Canaan Athletic Foundation made $81,675 renting their turf fields to others
and $93,825 in player use fees from New Canaan youth sports
-Increased fuel costs traveling to fields 7 – 15 miles away from Rye for "home" games and practices
- Renting turf fields means more time driving and less time playing with friends and teammates:
-“Home” games and practices can be 40-minutes round-trip
-Crossing 1 - 3 highways including I95, I287 and/or the Hutchinson River Parkway
- Renting turf fields in other communities to fill playtime gaps has an environmental cost:
-CO2 Emissions (assuming carpooling): ~352,700+ Pounds per season
-Gallons of Gas Burned (assuming carpooling): ~42,000+ Gallons per season
Turf Fields in Rye vs Neighboring Communities
Usability of Turf Fields vs Grass Fields for Rye Youth Sports
Lack of Turf Fields Limits Spring Field Use Significantly
