The Cotting School Wins Athletic Field Category in STC’s 2012 Search for the Real Field of Dreams
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Posted by: Terrie Ward, Synthetic Turf Council
 LEXINGTON, MA – For over 100 years, The
Cotting School in Lexington, Massachusetts has provided students with
disabilities a robust curriculum that met most of their needs except for the
chance to participate in outdoor activities.
The lack of an accessible outdoor field presented problems for many of
the students, particularly those who use wheelchairs and walkers. Overcoming many obstacles, now the students
have a brand new synthetic turf field – a field that is now being hailed the
Grand Prize Winner of the Search for the Real Field of Dreams. The national contest, conducted by the Synthetic Turf Council (STC),
searched the country for the school with the most compelling story behind its
synthetic turf field.
In 2009, The Cotting School unveiled its field
for an all-student soccer game involving teams that mixed ages and
abilities. For many of these students,
it was the first time in their lives that they could play or engage in outdoor
sports.
"The opportunity to create a
synthetic playing field on our campus is a dream come true for our students,”
stated David Manzo, President, The Cotting School. "Children who use
wheelchairs or walkers often are left on the sidelines for sports due to
difficulties of moving on grass playing fields. Our field is used for gym classes, after
school activities, and weekend league play. It gives students with physical
challenges the opportunity to participate, just like their typically developing
peers. The cheers at our Saturday
morning Challenger Little League games can be heard across our campus and the smiles
of the students and their families can be seen for miles around!"
With the new synthetic turf field, The Cotting
spirit is evident in all areas of the schools program, from classroom
activities and therapies to after school programs and athletics. The field has literally leveled the playing
field for all of the students and promoted health and wellness through exercise
and outdoor activity.
Other Real Field of Dreams winners include Top
Winner Piqua High School in Piqua, OH, Athenia Steel Recreation in Clifton,
NJ. The National Finalist winners
included Hermleigh High School in Hermleigh, TX and Hattie Larlham Doggie Day
Care & Boarding in North Canton, OH. About the Synthetic Turf Council
Based in Atlanta, the Synthetic
Turf Council was founded in 2003 to promote the industry and
to assist buyers and end users with the selection, use and maintenance of
synthetic turf systems in sports field, golf, municipal parks, airports,
landscape and residential applications. The organization is also a
resource for current, credible, and independent research on the safety and
environmental impact of synthetic turf. Membership includes builders,
landscape architects, testing labs, maintenance providers, manufacturers,
suppliers, installation contractors, infill material suppliers and other
specialty service companies. For more information, visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org.
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