Parks and Rec approves minutes, backs school's turf plan 5-0

Other Committee · Meeting of January 15, 2026

Nantucket Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously backs synthetic turf as Board of Health weighs an islandwide ban. The commission voted 5-0 to approve its October 16 minutes before hearing more than an hour of public comment on a potential Board of Health ban on synthetic turf, which could complicate the school district's plan for a turf football field at Vito Capizo Stadium. Chair Mike Kosort said the board was "unanimously behind" the project.

Commissioner Nikki called a ban "insanity," while Parks and Recreation Director Charlie warned that losing the town's Nobadeer turf field would push recreational field-use hours "over the edge." Youth lacrosse has grown from no third- or fourth-grade teams to a dozen island teams, organizers said, citing a lack of playable field space. The Board of Health has discussed an information session in early-to-mid February followed by a public hearing where a ban could go to a vote.

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Source: the Other Committee meeting of January 15, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.