Letters to the Editor

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

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NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

‘A Job for the Legislature’


Re: “A Job for the Legislature,” Diane Ravitch, Opinion, August 26, 2005. As a retired high school math teacher, I can vouch for the accuracy of Ms. Ravitch’s article. I have asked students in my classes when the Civil War was fought, what battles were fought in World War II, and other facts of American and world history, with similarly distressing answers. I have taught at a failing school, Prospect Heights High School in Brooklyn, and what most citizens would regard as a successful high school, Brooklyn Technical High School. In fact, the assistant principal of supervision for history (what used to be referred to as the chairman, in the age before political correctness) of the latter school issued an invitation for an event in her department at the end of the school year that began, “Your invited.” I am not making this up.


Sadly, and, what is not news, I and many of my colleagues have witnessed a steep decline in the education of secondary school students, and not just in the Big Apple. As a former colleague said, with respect to many coming into the education profession, whether as teachers or supervisors, there is a lack of ‘institutional memory.’ That is to say, many pedagogues are not even aware of how much they do not know.


DAVID SIMONOFF
Brooklyn


‘Amistad Commission’


Re: “Why Panel on Slavery Is Necessary,” Jamal Watson, New York, August 24, 2005. One need look no further than Jamal Watson’s own quote of Assemblyman Keith Wright, stating “it’s [slavery] been the foundation of our country,” to see the superfluousness of the proposed Amistad Commission. Our foundation lies in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Slavery and the black experience are but one part, albeit an important one, of the many-faceted, complicated history of the United States. Any revision predicated on Mr. Wright’s assumption is bound to be a historical. Moreover, I wonder what those high school students Mr. Watson spoke to know of James Madison or the 14th Amendment.


JEFFREY KNORR
Bronx


‘”Turf ” War Erupts’


A letter from William Crain [“‘Turf’ War Erupts,” August 29, 2005], leaves the impression that New York City Parks & Recreation is indiscriminately installing artificial turf in many city parks. In fact, such conversions from grass and dirt to products such as FieldTurf is done typically on playing fields where a natural grass surface cannot survive. Natural turf requires a fallow period of three months out of each 12 months in which to recover and regenerate. Further, during inclement weather conditions (rain, snow) natural turf is off-limits to prevent severe damage to the grass and soil compaction. And intensive sports such as soccer and football are typically “grass killers,” with major damage to turf and soil by cleated shoes and overuse.


In contrast, artificial turf can be used 12 months a year, in fair weather and foul. Its sand base and woven leaves artfully mimic the look and feel of natural turf without the maintenance problems. In the dozens of playing fields in which it has been installed, artificial turf has restored what had been depleted dust bowls into verdant, safe playing surfaces. Concerned citizens need only walk or run across artificial turf fields in Riverside Park (at 101st Street), James J. Walker Park (Hudson and Clarkson streets) and Thomas Jefferson Park (First Avenue and East 112th Street) to feel the difference.


Moreover, Parks & Recreation is in the midst of converting a number of asphalt playing fields to a gentler, more forgiving artificial turf. Recently, hard asphalt fields at Frederick Douglass Playground (Amsterdam Ave and West 101st Street), McCabe Playground (Park Ave and East 120th Street) and Wagner Houses Playground (East 124th Street at First Avenue) have been transformed into inviting fields of green. Typically, usage by children and athletic leagues skyrockets after replacement by artificial turf.


There will always be a place for grass in New York City’s 28,000 acres of city parkland, but on playing fields where grass will not survive or to replace hard, unforgiving asphalt the installation of artificial turf is a win-win for the city and for Gotham’s children and athletes.


My views are my own, and do not necessarily represent those of NYC Parks & Recreation or the City of New York. From 2000 to 2002 I served as manager of Riverside Park, where I had direct experience with turf management issues and the use of artificial turf.


ERIK PETER AXELSON
Manhattan



Please address letters intended for publication to the Editor of The New York Sun. Letters may be sent by e-mail to editor@nysun.com, facsimile to 212-608-7348, or post to 105 Chambers Street, New York City 10007. Please include a return address and daytime telephone number. Letters may be edited.

NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.


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