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A Good Place
for a Lawn?  
 
Non-native turf grass on top of the beach.
 
A Lawn Instead of a Beach

Installing a lawn on top of the beach destroys the beauty and health of the beach environment. In addition, taking care of a non­native patch of turf will soak up more of your time and money. Keeping the beach "natural" leaves you more time to sit back and enjoy the view.

 

Pros:

  • Nice view.  
  • Play area.
    A small area for croquet or volleyball; but players must watch out for shells, rocks, and a large water hazard.  
    		•  Cons:

  • No beach.
    The beach has been replaced with high maintenance turf and rocks. Not much food or shelter for wildlife or intertidal creatures. No beach to see and enjoy.  
  • High maintenance.
    Since turf grass is non-native, it requires a constant cycle of mowing, watering, and fertilizing to survive.  
  • Water pollution.
    With no native plant buffer, harmful chemicals used on this lawn (high nitrogen fertilizer, weed killers, and pesticides) can leach into surrounding water and beaches ­ including oysters and clams.  
  • Costs more. Takes more time.
    Requires hoses, sprinklers, time spent irrigating, and increasing water bills.  
  • Noise and air pollution.
    Maintenance tools generate noise and air pollution: loud, gas-powered mowers and weed "whackers."  
  • Fish habitat damaged.
    No plant cover or shade along the water for fish such as salmon or sand lance.  
     
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    Comments? E-mail: Tim Schlender