Say No to Artificial Turf at Crocker Amazon Park

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There are no real benefits to artificial turf — only serious drawbacks.

Yet proposals continue to surface to cover our public playing fields with this toxic material, even as professional sports teams move away from it.

The latest example is the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department’s proposal to plasticize Crocker Amazon Park. Ironically, while the San Francisco Giants are supporting this bad plan, they don’t even play on plastic themselves.

How does artificial turf compare to natural grass?

Artificial turf was once promoted as a water-saving, low-maintenance alternative to natural grass. In reality, it has proven to be harmful to both the environment and the people who use it.

• Artificial turf contains toxic chemicals and plastics that leach into soil and groundwater, exposing athletes and children — and the neighboring communities — to an increased number of potential health risks.
• The plastic fields can become dangerously hot, increasing the risk of heat stroke, while players suffer more severe wounds and infections compared to those playing on grass.
• Maintaining these surfaces is far from water-free. A significant amount of water is needed for regular cleaning of the material, as well as cooling the surface when it gets too hot to use safely.
• And when turf fields reach the end of their short lifespan, they leave behind tons of non-recyclable plastic waste.

By contrast, well-chosen natural grass suited to local soil conditions requires limited watering, minimal maintenance, and few (if any) pesticides. Grass fields stay cooler, produce less waste, and greatly reduce injury risk. It’s no wonder professional baseball and soccer teams play on grass — and professional football players across the country are now calling for an end to artificial turf altogether.
 

Let’s follow their lead and keep Crocker Amazon Park natural, healthy, and safe for everyone. We’re asking San Francisco residents to send a message to the Recreation and Parks Department saying that they should not install artificial turf on the playing fields at Crocker Amazon Park.