I am writing as a resident of The Villages to support the proposal to allow homeowners to install artificial turf (also known as astro turf) in their yards and landscapes.
I believe permitting synthetic turf would not only benefit individual properties but also enhance the overall appearance and sustainability of our entire community — particularly our beautiful golf courses and ponds.
By allowing residents to replace natural grass with high-quality artificial turf, we would dramatically reduce residential water usage for irrigation. This conservation would leave far more water available in our aquifer and irrigation systems. As a direct result:
- The golf courses could be kept lush, green, and in pristine condition year-round without ever facing water restrictions or brown patches during dry seasons.
- Our community ponds and water features would remain full and vibrant, improving their aesthetic appeal and supporting healthier ecosystems for fish and wildlife.
In short, every square foot of astro turf installed in a resident’s yard effectively becomes an “endless supply” of conserved water that can be redirected to maintain the high standards we all expect and enjoy on our signature golf courses and throughout our common areas…