The Story Behind the 'Most Vetted Soccer Field in U.S. History'

For a lesson in the planning process as it unfolds in the singular political climate of San Francisco, Josh Barron tells the story of the Beach Chalet Soccer Fields replacement project, "which would install artificial turf and field lighting on approximately seven acres near the western end of Golden Gate Park."

But it's not that easy.

Project opponents have a wide variety of objections, including concerns about disrupting the park’s natural character, allegations that artificial turf causes cancer, and accusations that the project is devised to create profits for tire manufacturers. They have appealed permit approvals and sued the city, and have repeatedly lost. So now they are going to the ballot box in November with Proposition H, an initiative to prohibit artificial turf and field lighting in the western half of the park.

Moreover:

City officials responded to the initiative by putting Proposition I, a pro-turf question, on the ballot. That means, of the 12 referendum questions San Francisco voters will answer this November, two are about soccer field surfaces.

Barro's coverage includes a lot more insight into both sides of the argument and what lies ahead for the project.