Thank you to the 35 community members who spoke in support of natural grass, and many more who wrote to the City Council, and attended the meeting in person or online. Your voices made a difference!

• Discussion around the report reflected serious concerns. Councilor Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler stated: "I’m frustrated that the city council was at best not really engaged on this issue and maybe actually provided with confusing info to make it seem like there was unanimous support for turf when it came up last year, when we know now that they’re a lot more folks who are opposed to it.” (hear his entire speech from 3:13:00 to 3:17:00)
• The City Council voted to table the report until the next meeting (Monday June 22: save the date, plan to participate if possible in person or on Zoom). This was suggested by Mayor Siddiqui and proposed by Councilor Al-Zubi. Five voted to table (Councilors Al-Zubi, Zusy, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui, and McGovern); three voted against tabling the report (Councilors Azeem, Simmons, and Flaherty). Councilor Nolan was not present. Tabling means the matter remains open, and community voices still matter. This is not just a turf dispute. It is a public trust issue.
• Today (Wednesday 6/9) at 7pm., there's an East Cambridge Planning Team meeting at East End House (105 Spring Street) with Ahern Field on the agenda at 8:30pm. Meet & Greet with Councilor Zusy is at 7:30pm. RSVP by 3pm if you want pizza saveahernfield@gmail.com
• In the meantime keep sharing our petition (let us know if you need flyers)
• Read Councilor Patty Nolan’s op-ed in the Cambridge Day: “Ahern Field: Plastics should not be our future”
• A short reminder of unanswered key-questions and updates will be regularly posted here

The City Manager’s report should not be treated as the final word. The decision was made without a transparent, evidence-based comparison and without meaningful community input before the key surface choice had been selected. We are working with the City Council to ensure all concerns are addressed properly, transparently, and in accordance with good public process.

Thank you!