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Denver Post
Parched Jeffco may say 'keep off grass'
Monday, January 20, 2003 - GOLDEN - Top officials of the Jefferson County School District - alarmed by the threadbare appearance of playgrounds and playing fields - are following Denver's lead as they consider keeping non- school groups off the grass.
New requests from recreation districts and athletic leagues are being turned down, said Bob Smith, facilities director. Previously approved requests may be withdrawn by Feb. 1. The district's cabinet is discussing the situation this week. "We've got to do something. The grass can't take the traffic," said Jack Swanzy, director of facilities planning. Last week, Denver Public Schools revealed it is considering barring non-school users from its drought-parched fields. The Jefferson County school district, which straddles 21 water districts with a variety of watering schedules, turned off outdoor taps last summer. The district consumed 575 million gallons of water during the 2001-02 school year, with as much as 90 percent being used to water grass. Normal school use has worn the grass thin. Many playgrounds at the district's 93 elementary schools are dusty, and worn spots have grown between the hash marks on football fields at the 20 middle schools and 17 high schools. "We're in pathetic shape," Swanzy said. "We had a little water in September, but we haven't had a drop of water since then." Of particular concern are the district's three stadiums. Swanzy said he hopes to be able to water the stadiums and major athletic fields "If you have to replace the turf, you're talking a half-million dollars for each field," Swanzy said. "It took three years of growing that grass before it was installed. It's staggering to think we could lose that." Even if water falls from the sky, the damage could take several years to repair - an expensive proposition for a district looking to cut up to $20 million out of the 2003-04 budget. Smith said officials are trying to figure out what to do to save fields in the near future. Also at risk are capital improvement projects that call for grading, which would scrape the ground raw and leave it vulnerable to dust problems. About a half-dozen projects postponed last summer probably will be delayed again. Falcon Bluffs Middle School near C-470 and South Garrison Street will have some trees and shrubs when it opens in the fall, but no grass. "We will re-evaluate that every month," Swanzy said. "We will bid the projects and hope." But if there is no moisture by March, the projects will have to be reconsidered . "The saving grace is that everybody is in the same boat," Swanzy said. The North Jeffco Park and Recreation District will close the Indian Tree Golf Course on Thursday. Foothills Park and Recreation District has not made decisions yet about its two golf courses. Arvada will hold two public meetings on its golf course and parks drought plan. The first is at 6 p.m. Jan. 28 at Lake Arbor Golf Club, 8600 Wadsworth Blvd. The second is at 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at West Woods Golf Club, 6650 Quaker St. Call 720-898-7400. Golden is launching a series of seven water-conservation landscaping seminars on Jan. 29. For information, call 303-384-8100. |