First Ever 'First Green Sportsfield Edition' Announced
On May 26, 2016, the Township of Langley (TOL) Parks Department will partner with Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), Western Canada Turfgrass Association (WCTA) and Sports Turf Canada (STC) to provide an outdoor educational program to a group of Langley Seconday School grade 9 students.
Modelled after “First Green”, a Seattle based organization that uses golf courses as environmental learning labs for school aged kids, the Langley event will be the first ever that uses a sportsfield facilty to deliver the same type of STEM* learning as the golf based program.
*Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Tab Bucker, TOL Manager of Parks Operations and President of Sports Turf Canada stated, "We're calling it 'First Sportsfield'. It will be the first event of its kind in North America and we'll be showing the kids how sportsfields are managed." He added, "While the golf course version of First Green is great, we can put on a First Sportsfield event at any school with even a small field in a very short timeframe with no transportation needed."
WCTA Executive Director Jerry Rousseau noted, "In partnership with First Green, the WCTA launched pilot programs in Canada at the Vancouver Golf Club and Redwoods Golf Course over the past two years. There are plans to develop the program further on the golf side and it's very easily converted to support the sportsfield sector as well."
To be held at McLeod Athletic Park, the May 26 event starts at 12:40pm with TOL Mayor Jack Froese attending to provide opening comments and observe the program along with local school board trustees.