The Bend planning commission didn’t reach a firm decision when it ruled recently about artificial turf near the Deschutes River. It needs direction from the Bend City Council and that direction should be to support turf.

The center of the turf battle is Jackie and Ray Haworth’s backyard on Riverfront Street. They live along the Deschutes River, across from Columbia Park.

The lawn in their backyard had had it. Dogs and people tromping back and forth between a house and the river can make short work of any lawn. The Haworths also had to bring in a crane to yank out a dock that was installed without the proper permits. The lawn was kaput.

The Haworths opted for artificial turf and rock to replace it. The turf is durable. No watering required. More pleasant than dirt. Softer than rocks. And the turf they picked was permeable so water could trickle through the holes.

But city staff wanted it gone. Bend’s city code aims to “conserve and enhance the natural resource values of areas along the Deschutes River and Tumalo Creek within the city.” It wants the preservation and restoration of native riparian vegetation. City staff decided in a memo prepared for the planning commission that the Haworths’ landscaping decision was not acceptable.

The planning commission made a mixed ruling that some turf might be allowed. But the commission was also coming dangerously close to setting city policy, not interpreting city policy. The council needs to give it better direction.

Artificial turf does not get unconditioned love. It clashes with the vision of a natural riverbank. But so do docks. So do brightly colored kayaks parked on the shore. So do paddleboards. So do inner tubes. So do chairs and tables and umbrellas. The riverbanks through the heart of downtown Bend are anything but natural. Allow turf.