Opposition To Wayland Turf Field Comes As Town Seeks Permit

WAYLAND, MA — Wayland officials are seeking permission to construct a turf field at the Loker Conservation Area, but some residents fear the material that would be used for the field could be potentially dangerous.

On Tuesday, Town Administrator Louise Miller will appear before the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) for permission to proceed with the turf field. The $3.6 million project failed to pass (340 to 383) at spring Town Meeting, although voters in 2019 did approve a debt exclusion to fund the project by a margin of 11 votes.

This week, Wayland resident Dave Bernstein stared a Change.org petition asking residents to oppose the project. Bernstein said the field will be made out of a type of virgin crumb rubber whose environmental affects haven't been studied enough. The petition asks the Board of Selectmen to direct the town to withdraw the ZBA application to allow the Board of Health to review whether the crumb rubber poses a threat to the water supply.

As of Thursday afternoon, Bernstein's petition had gained nearly 150 signatures toward its goal of 200.

Wayland purchased the Loker site, a former Dow Chemical facility in 2000 for $1.7 million, and in 2017 spent more than $154,000 to design the new field. The facility would relieve a shortage of sports fields in town, and would save money over time because it would not have to be mowed or watered, according to town officials.

A turf track and football field was installed at Wayland High School last year, and opened for use during this school year.