The Farm yet to provide harvest

Andrew Glazer

COSTA MESA -- Clear skies and a cool ocean breeze blowing through the

thick, emerald grass of the Farm Sports Complex were ingredients for a

perfect day of soccer Monday.

But the city’s shin-padded youth played elsewhere.

Since the 18-acre complex opened with great fanfare in early July -- a

year later than planned -- the only feet to tread the turf have been

webbed, not cleated.

A group of six sea gulls, a crow and a dozen sandpipers trotted around

on the healthy grass -- nearly enough for a game, if birds could kick a

soccer ball.

The city, which purchased the site from the Newport-Mesa Unified

School District three years ago for $7.5 million, has reserved the six

soccer fields for organized youth soccer leagues. And the season doesn’t

begin until Aug. 14.

The grassy fields, shielded by a fence and locked gate, will rest in

the off-season, Sundays and between games and practices.

“We want to see how much use this can take,” said Trudy Nuzum, a

supervisor from the city’s recreation department. “Right now, that’s an

unknown factor.”

After watching the grass grow and then die in the fall of 1998, the

city’s cautious recreation staff may be justified. It originally planted

Bermuda, a durable turf which demands warm soil and sun. But the fall was

frosty that year and caused the grass to wilt.

Last year, the city commissioned a new landscaper, Brian Carey, to

replant a hardier breed of grass which grew successfully and evenly.

In July, officials cut ribbons and served barbecue to celebrate the

Farm’s reopening.

Next week, anxious AYSO soccer players will finally christen the

fields at their practices Monday night.

But some residents wonder if the park should be opened to children’s

pickup games in the downtime.

“I don’t think we should be padlocking the thing,” said Parks

Commissioner Mike Scheafer. “The kids should be able to play spur of the

moment. If there are fields open, they should be able to use them.”

He said other cities, such as Irvine, have open playing fields that

are in good shape. But he conceded it would be tough to ensure children,

not adults, played on the fields. The city specifically developed the

facility for youngsters. Adult soccer players, he added, have a history

of leaving trash behind.

City Councilman Joe Erickson, a strong advocate for parks and open

space, said the fields should remain restricted to organized soccer

leagues. He said doing so will promise the long-awaited grass a longer

life and allow the complex to remain one of Orange County’s best.