Bill allowing soccer games to continue at Tuckahoe Turf Farm advances in New Jersey

(via Assemblydems.com) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak and Senator Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey to permit a South Jersey sod farm to host youth soccer tournaments, as well as games and practices, on its grounds, has been approved by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

The bill was in response to a 2014 Pinelands Commission decision that found holding soccer tournaments on the grounds of Tuckahoe Turf Farms, a sod farm in Hammonton Township, violated a deed restriction limiting its recreational use to “low recreation” activities, described as hiking, hunting, canoeing, horseback riding and bicycling, among others, according to a Press of Atlantic City report. The issue has not yet been fully resolved.

[Read: South Jersey soccer venue wrangling with local commission over fields use ]

“We have to make sure regulatory bodies are not overreaching when it comes to determining the proper use for land within their jurisdiction,” said Assemblyman Andrzejczak. “The decision to ban soccer, which clearly is a low-impact activity, on this farm was just wrong. This bill will remove any uncertainty about whether this sport is permitted as a farm-based recreational activity. This is really about bringing some clarity to an issue that has really caused a lot of uncertainty in the community, and allowing these games to go on.”

“The decision by the Pinelands Commission to prohibit tournaments on the turf farm was puzzling to a lot of people. The games that took place on the grounds of the farm in no way damaged the land. These were kids playing soccer on a field, where grass was grown specifically for turf,” said Senator Van Drew (D-Cape May/Cumberland/Atlantic). “This flawed decision was nothing more than bureaucracy getting in the way of common sense. Fortunately, this bill will allow these games to continue. It will clarify that soccer is a permissible activity, and it will give children in the area the ability to participate in a sporting activity that they love well into the future.”

The legislation would establish that any final determination by a county agriculture development board or the State Agriculture Development Committee, as applicable under the “Right to Farm Act,” as to what qualifies as a farm-based recreational activity in the Pinelands protection area shall be binding upon the Pinelands Commission and shall constitute a permitted agriculture of horticultural use in the protection area. In addition, the bill specifies that field sports, provided that no permanent athletic fields are established, are a “farm-based recreational activity.”

The Pinelands Commission notified the owner of Tuckahoe Turf Farms last year that the tournaments violated a deed restriction limiting its recreational use to “low recreation” activities. Assemblyman Andrzejczak and Senator Van Drew previously called on the Pinelands Commission to work with the land owner to resolve the dispute, and to work out any issues that needed to be addressed.

In a separate press release, EDP President Steve Shilling said of the news, “We previously reached agreement to play for years to come at Tuckahoe but codifying soccer at the Tuckahoe Turf Farm into law assures our play for literally decades to come. This is obviously great news and a great opportunity for young players going forward as our tournaments are played on surfaces that clubs, parents, players and college recruiters all appreciate.”

EDP has hosted youth soccer events at Tuckahoe for the past four years- in which time the professional-quality sod turf has become a popular feature among players, parents and coaches from both the club and college sectors.

The EDP press release went on to urge that grassroots support from clubs and leagues across the state was instrumental in demonstrating to the State Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee the value of soccer in Hammonton to both the agricultural and recreational communities.

“We will again rely on a grassroots community based campaign to bring youth soccer’s message to their respective Senators when the final legislation gets scheduled for a vote later this month.” concluded Shilling.

The committee approved the bill by a vote of 5-0. It next heads to the full Senate for consideration.