Why did you decide to embark on this project now?
A: There is no time better than right now. Julia is the catalyst for a field that is long overdue at Ainsworth Elementary School. The whole community wants to turn a tragedy into a positive for all the kids at Ainsworth and the surrounding community.

How much will the field cost and how are you raising the money to build it?
A: Early estimates peg the cost at $375K, like any construction project it is a moving target. As we get better information on field design, permitting, turf cost etc. we will update the budget. We plan to raise a combination of cash and in kind contributions.

What have you raised so far?
A: We have raised a combination of cash and in- kind donation of $150K.

Is PPS supporting this project? If so, how?
A: Yes, we have Portland Public Schools approval and staff assistance.

Why did you decide to build a field and not a garden or a statue?
A: We decided to build a field because Julia was dynamic - she loved soccer, activity and movement. We felt a field is more interactive and presents a “canvas” on which the children can innovate, laugh, run, jump, roll, …play.  Essentially, a field will have a more lasting impact on the children of Ainsworth Elementary School and the community than something static like a statue.  This field will be a living work of art that will always give back to the children playing on it.

Are you confident you are going to be able to complete the project in the short timeframe allotted?
A: Yes, we are confident. We are managing this project in three primary areas simultaneously: Design/Construction, Communication, and Fundraising.  Addressing all three together helps to insure the short timeline is a success.

Design/Construction:
-    A number of similar field projects in the area have been completed in this or less time.
-    Cleveland and Lincoln High School have been installed in a summer, they were much larger fields.
-    Incorporating feedback from neighbors and Ainsworth now on Design issues such as striping, netting, placement, etc.

Communication:
-    We are out front with our communication with the City of Portland, PPS, and the Fire Marshall holding a number of meetings already to address pre-application issues (i.e. drainage, construction permitting) and site access.
-    We have met with the neighborhood association, SWHRL, who has endorsed the project.

Fundraising :
-    We have momentum on the fundraising side with over 150K in cash and in-kind donations.
-    Brochures, website, envelopes and other fundraising material are completed and out to wide distribution.
-    Robinson Construction company has donated labor, equipment and material to entire site preparation (including asphalt removal and grading)
-    WRG Design Inc. has donated all Civil Engineering support including site survey, field design, drainage, permit writing, etc.
How many hours a day will the crews be working? What time will they start in the morning?
A: There will be disruption during the summer in the school area, primarily the Spring Street area. Details will be updated on this site, as we get closer to commencing construction.

How will the school or PPS deal with litter, dog waste, spray paint on synthetic turf?
A: The intent will be to have increased signage about litter laws and dog waste. There is funding in the budget for this.

Hasn’t the Reike Elementary School field had issues with lead? Are you worried about having this problem with the Ainsworth Elementary School field?
A: We are not concerned with this.  The US Product Safety Commission conducted a study in 2003.  The testing showed no case in which the estimated exposure for children playing on the field would exceed the limit they deemed hazardous.  Product design has even improved since then.

I’ve heard the surface temperature of a synthetic field can get very hot in summer. Is that true? Is there any way to avoid this?
A:  Yes, the synthetic turf can absorb head and become warmer than natural grass in extreme heat situations, for example, exposure to constant 85 degree sunlight.  There are a few weeks in Portland were this might be an issue.  But due to the grove of trees on the western side of the playground, it will provide shade and mitigate this potential issue.

How are you going to contain the balls from the field?  Are you going to have to build a fence or netting? If so, what will it look like?
A: Yes, we have budgeted and are looking into solutions to contain stray balls.

When and for how long is the construction going to be loud and/or invasive?
A: We plan on breaking ground June 09 when school is let out and complete before the first day of school in September 09.

Will parking be a problem during construction?
A: This is likely, but since school will not be in session we hope this won’t be too disruptive.

I hear there is a spring running through Ainsworth School’s back lot. Are you worried about drainage and water?
A: The spring does not run under the blacktop. It is to the south of the field site. The synthetic field will actually be better for regulating drainage. A 13,000 square foot surface will slow the drainage to the system since it will collect rain water through perforated drainage pipes beneath the turf and direct it to the storm drains.  This water would otherwise race directly to the Storm/Sewer system as it does today.

Who will handle field maintenance? Does the school/district pay for it?
A: Maintenance is very low with synthetic turfs, other than litter and dog waste, it will require” vacuuming and fluffing” once or twice a year. We are working the details on who will cover this but it is likely that the district will pay for this.

What is the plan for turf replacement when it wears out?
A: All grass and synthetic turf fields need to be replaced periodically. Synthetic turf fields generally must be replaced every 8-15 years, depending upon intensity of use, manufacturer’s life-cycle recommendations and maintenance practices. Because this is an elementary school, turf use is estimated to last longer than a high school field would. Generally, this involves pulling up the “rug” and installing a new one. Damaged sections of synthetic turf can be replaced with new turf if damage occurs. It is rare that a “rug replacement” would cost as much as the original field construction, because all the site preparation, drainage and underlayment work is done with the first installation.

What more will need to be done construction-wise in phase II of the project? When will that happen and how will funds be raised for it?
A: Phase II of the project requires a Conditional Use Permit which will allow after school use of the field i.e. soccer, t-ball. There will be no additional construction for phase II as it is in the field design for phase I.
A: Funding for phase II will be minimal, it is permitting cost only. We plan on using excess funds from phase I or raising more funds to cover phase II.

Will the field have lights, loudspeakers or other elements we should know about?
A: There are no lights or loud speakers in the design for the entire project.

What is the construction schedule?
A: The entire project is estimated to take about three months or less to complete assuming weather delays are minimal.

How will fund-raising impact the construction schedule (how much money is needed to begin construction?)
A: Construction will not begin on the project until all the fundraising is complete. This is important to ensure completion of the project.  All fundraising will be completed by June 2009.

Who can I call if there’s a problem?
A: You can email us and we will get back to you promptly- see “Contact Us” tab.

How can I get more information?
A: Email us at this website- see “Contact Us” and we will get back to you promptly.

How can I comment on this project?
A: We have designed this website to be interactive and inclusive or comments and ideas.