NEW YORK, NY May 21, 2008 —The two small playing fields at Battery Park City get used so much that a task force is recommending that they be replaced by artificial turf.

Jeff Galloway, a task force member, says that artificial turf would allow the playing fields to be open much more often than they are now.

GALLOWAY: The very low end would be 14 percent, but the high end could be nearly 200 percent. And even the low end would allow these leagues to add another team. I mean right now these leagues are turning away kids who want to play.

REPORTER: The grass fields are closed during the winter, after heavy rains and one day every week or every two weeks during the spring and summer.

Opponents say they have more than 2,000 signatures from residents who don't want artificial turf.

The task force expects to complete its report and submit it to the Battery Park City Authority for discussion in the coming weeks.