Student-athletes and their parents pleaded with the town Thursday to improve the quality of the playing fields at schools throughout Fairfield.

The Fairfield Athletic Foundation said the town needs to convert the fields at the two high schools, as well as Sullivan Field, to artificial turf.

They say the fields are not only safer but will generate revenue for the town by hosting tournaments.

"They need to get behind this effort, and they need to agree that investment in our athletic infrastructure is good for the town and good for our kids," said Dylan O'Connor, of the Fairfield Athletic Foundation.

The online petition has 2,000 signatures so far.