The Brooklyn Papers / Julie Rosenberg

Cadman Plaza Park after its resurfacing with synthetic grass.

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The controversial carpet of plastic grass is finally in place at Cadman Plaza Park. Let the games begin (and the squabbling continue)!

Ever since the Parks Department’s plans for an artificial turf field became public last year, Downtown Brooklyn has been divided between pro-rubber and pro-natural-grass partisans.

The real grass fans, including some veterans who objected to plastic grass being installed on the lawn in front of the borough’s Korean War memorial, said only a natural turf field was appropriate in a neighborhood so devoid of nature.

But supporters of artificial turf, including the Parks Department, celebrated its durability and economy over the long term.

To once and for all put an end to the grass warfare, The Brooklyn Papers secured an exclusive visit to the new artificial grass turf in Cadman Plaza Park this week.

On Tuesday afternoon, two Papers reporters were escorted into the park at Tillary Street and Cadman Plaza West, where Parks Department workers were busy completing a $2.9-million reconstruction of the weathered public space, including the laying down of fake turf in the southern half of the park.

For a second opinion, the Papers brought along two members of the St. Francis College soccer team, and coach Carlo Acquista.

“This is better than a grass field,” said Javier Gonzalez, 18, who is also a member of the Venezuela national team.

His St. Francis teammate, Anthony Matos, an all-conference player, claimed that fewer sports injuries take place on fake grass.

It would be hard to mistake artificial grass for the true blue...er green, variety, but the rubber particle turf was relatively soft to the touch, resembling the sort of hardy blades that grow on sand dunes.

Judy Stanton, head of the Brooklyn Heights Association and long-time supporter of the plan to replace the Cadman Plaza dustbowl with plastic grass, was also supportive.

“Just to see green there is a welcome sight, even if it isn’t real,” said Stanton.

“Cadman is a de facto playing field, so I’m hoping that there’ll be enough natural greenery on the other side of the war memorial for those who don’t want to be anywhere the plastic.”

The park is expected to be open by March. Its plastic surface, which purists deride, is the same as artificial fields at the heavily used Parade Grounds.

The Parks Department is moving towards wider use of fake grass, which is more durable. Indeed, during light rainfalls, the grass fields at the Parade Grounds are closed, while play continues on the fake-grass field.

©2006 The Brooklyn Paper