Pls read - Update on snow and shoveling field from city

[Troy]

 Hello players, I opened a conversation with the head of Parks and Rec to attempt to broker a deal with them to allow us to shovel small pitches for snow days. This is the response. Not helpful. We’re gonna have to go underground or buy a turf friendly machine. Or find a space on snow days. Not giving up. 

Read below: *** note- I relayed we are an organized group, not “friends” as she called it at the bottom 

Troy, 

I am following up with some information to share more about why we are not allowing shoveling on the artificial turf fields at East Boulder Community Park. I recognize you have a different perspective, and so am hopeful that this information from Sports Field experts and the field manufacturer helps you better understand why we cannot allow this practice.

1. Risk of Turf Fiber Damage: Even “good” plastic or composite shovels can catch, snag, or abrade turf fibers—especially when snow is partially melted and refrozen, shovels dig in at seams or inlays, people unintentionally apply too much downward force.
2. Seam and Inlay Separation: The most vulnerable parts of a turf field—seams, lines, and inlays—are easily lifted or damaged by shovels. Manuals specify that only trained staff should perform any mechanical or manual snow removal to ensure seams are protected.
3. Base and Infill Disturbance:  Snow removal by untrained users may displace the crumb rubber infill, create uneven surfaces, or expose frozen turf backing to cracking. O&M guidelines emphasize that any aggressive or repeated clearing can degrade the field system and shorten lifespan
4. Warranties & Manufacturer Requirements: If maintenance is performed that conflicts with the O&M manuals, warranty claims could be denied, future repairs become the city’s financial responsibility.
5. Liability & Safety Concerns: Lastly, public shoveling introduces risk that we are not willing to assume. In addition to the above concerns, we only allow outside operators to perform maintenance on city facilities with proof of insurance naming the city as a beneficiary and other clauses that protect taxpayers.

When snow is properly removed from artificial turf fields, it includes specialized equipment and training and restorative practices to ensure infill material is redistributed to ensure field safety. This is all very labor intensive and not a service level we can provide.

Troy, in summary, while I very much appreciate your passion for soccer and love that you and your friends play regularly, allow you to shovel the artificial turf fields is not an option. The fields at East Boulder Community Park are already past their expected lifespan. While we are hoping to identify funding to replace them, we appreciate your support and helping us to extend their life.

Troy

 “Football is not a matter of life and death…it is much, much more important than that”

[Jesse Brouillette]

Thanks for trying Troy .... apparently they're disregarding the fact we've been shoveling the pitch for years without causing any issues. 🤡

Might have to use BIS during the week and shovel places like Platte on the weekends?

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[Troy]

Yeah I told them exactly that- feel free to write back and reiterate that we’ve shoveled for years and none of that has occurred. 

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[Troy]

Hi all, if we want to put more pressure on them to help us find solutions to the fact that in general for athletes in Boulder the field is covered but the weather is good 

- her email is Rho...@bouldercolorado.gov

Alison Rhodes

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[marnoldmarnold]

Great idea to push a little bit with the City! Bummer they don't want to help out with snow removal, but that's kind of expected. And of course we can just keep going on with covertly clearing the fields ourselves. Maybe one day we can find someone to donate a snowplow good for turf and trailer to haul it : )

One thing I'd worry about is putting too much pressure on them, given we've enjoyed free use of the fields for so long. I'd hate to jeopardize that in any way. Just one guy's opinion, though.

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[Troy]

Yeah we aren’t going to get anywhere with them. Nothing  matters at this point. 

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[D Nazeri]

I second Jesse's comment. 

 Troy,

Thank you for trying to get their approval regarding shoveling snow. 

I prefer not doing underground work. We can move to BIS or other sites on snowy days.

Thanks again 

David 

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[Noah Negrey]

We just need to be more Canadian and bicycle it in the snow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdHaod64Vbw

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Noah Negrey

1-(805)-390-3791

[Marcie Ginley]

Hmmmm. Maybe try to negotiate with the City to get training and then be able to use their “safe” equipment??

On Nov 22, 2025, at 6:11 PM, Noah Negrey <noah....@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Troy]

Noah that's amazing. Agreed just play in and on the snow. It's our best option 

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