The claim that we need artificial turf to have excellent playing fields is false. The natural grass to artificial turf field ratios at Maryland SoccerPlex and the Virginia Youth Soccer Association, both premier facilities, is 21:3 and 6:2 respectively. The Natural Grass Advisor Group manages these fields and has helped many park and school systems develop excellent grass fields that cost less to maintain, hold up under bad weather and sustained play, and allow for increased revenue raising opportunities. Regardless of whether the top layer of fill is crumb rubber, sand, husks, or wood pellets, each artificial turf field contains 250 tons of plastic; investing a product with horrible health and environmental impacts is unconscionable and unnecessary.
As fancy as synthetic turf fields appear, the reality of them is much different. As someone who grew up playing on both turf and grass fields, I can say that the experience of playing on synthetic turf was terrible. Injury rates were higher and it was always 10 degrees hotter on the field. There was no shade and the plastic would get everywhere- on your clothes, hair- in your shoes. The turf field at my high school was built in 2012 and today it is very rundown and has required the school hundreds of thousands of dollars in maintenance. It is not a nice space to relax and watch a game or to play. There is so much amazing potential to create beautiful playing fields with nice grass and trees for shade, that would provide beneficial and long-lasting spaces for the people and the environment. I believe that investing in synthetic turf fields would be a superficial and irresponsible use of funds and I hope you consider the long-term implications.
The athletic fields discussion requires a GHG analysis for the alternatives. General data scattered in documents are never compiled in a coherent fashion to give the BOS understanding of the emissions/impacts. An informed decision must include assessment of the fields based on compliance with the County’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) objectives, as well as Sustainable Materials Management, which have been prioritized by the County and are in the Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, in the “Answers to Questions…” memo of April 18, 2022, staff are not aware of legal issues with ReMatch, but a letter provided by the SWAAC in March 2022 included proof that the PA DEP recently issued Notices of Violation to ReMatch for illegal storage of Solid Waste. There is no artificial turf recycling in the U.S. This is a compelling concern and results in unknown financial and environmental costs that would remain outstanding for the County if artificial turf is selected.
The Albemarle Co. Board should choose to invest in well maintained natural grass playing fields in our public parks. Choosing natural grass demonstrates that we intend to stay on track with our overarching goals for climate action, biodiversity, waste reduction and protecting the health and safety of our residents and environment. The Albemarle County Natural Heritage and Solid Waste Alternatives Advisory Committees have clearly expressed to the Board why they don’t support the introduction of artificial turf into our parks. As you think about the options presented, please take into careful consideration the many attributes of artificial turf that ultimately work to undermine our most important goals. We can have the economic and societal benefits of improved sports facilities without the risks to human and environmental health, and without the high greenhouse gas emissions associated with artificial turf.
Artificial Turf-- twenty-five tons of plastic, and that's just the carpet and backing. Let's call it what it really is: a Plastic Playing Field.
I can't believe we are even considering this. Climate change is our greatest existential threat. We are supposed to be sequestering carbon, not sucking more fossil fuel out of the Earth. Who is the greatest beneficiary of a plastic playing field? Well, big oil of course; it takes 20,000 gallons of oil to make one plastic field. After we're done with the field (about ten years) what happens to the plastic? Oh, don't worry; someone will build a recycling plant. Yeah, sure, just like someone will invent a safe way to dispose of nuclear waste, or don't worry, those mine tailings aren't poisonous. Truth is, we will end up with more giant mountains of fading green plastic--a problem someone else can deal with.
Please do not install synthetic turf fields!! As an athlete, they are miserable to play on. Even setting aside the heat, the stench, and the terrible playing surface, synthetic fields cause more injuries and overall wear on the players' bodies. I used to love playing in SOCA's leagues but had to quit after they migrated most games to synthetic fields - I could no longer afford the doctor bills or the personal risk.
Beyond the experience for athletes, installing synthetic turf fields now is an intentional choice to turn a blind eye to their climate impact. An increase in plastics, heat, waste, and light pollution - and adding up to unknown maintenance costs down the road. Please do what is best for our community and make the commitment to install only natural grass fields from here on out. Thank you!
I hope that Albemarle County will invest in natural grass playing fields rather than plastic turf fields. Artificial turf (AT) offers a perceived convenience that kicks serious problems like climate change and plastic pollution down the road. What will we do with the tons of plastic waste generated per field when the materials need to be replaced? How much will it cost to responsibly deal with this waste? What recycling options will actually be available? What about the impact of lighting these AT fields? Albemarle County made a commitment to climate action, sustainable materials management, water and biodiversity protection. It is easy to make proclamations and hope that someone else will deal with the problems we create. Let’s invest in natural grass fields that sequester carbon, do not add to the heat island effect, or contribute to the mounting plastic waste problem. It would be irresponsible to install plastic turf and LED lighting in Darden Towe or Biscuit Run Park.
The claim that we need artificial turf to have excellent playing fields is false. The natural grass to artificial turf field ratios at Maryland SoccerPlex and the Virginia Youth Soccer Association, both premier facilities, is 21:3 and 6:2 respectively. The Natural Grass Advisor Group manages these fields and has helped many park and school systems develop excellent grass fields that cost less to maintain, hold up under bad weather and sustained play, and allow for increased revenue raising opportunities. Regardless of whether the top layer of fill is crumb rubber, sand, husks, or wood pellets, each artificial turf field contains 250 tons of plastic; investing a product with horrible health and environmental impacts is unconscionable and unnecessary.
As fancy as synthetic turf fields appear, the reality of them is much different. As someone who grew up playing on both turf and grass fields, I can say that the experience of playing on synthetic turf was terrible. Injury rates were higher and it was always 10 degrees hotter on the field. There was no shade and the plastic would get everywhere- on your clothes, hair- in your shoes. The turf field at my high school was built in 2012 and today it is very rundown and has required the school hundreds of thousands of dollars in maintenance. It is not a nice space to relax and watch a game or to play. There is so much amazing potential to create beautiful playing fields with nice grass and trees for shade, that would provide beneficial and long-lasting spaces for the people and the environment. I believe that investing in synthetic turf fields would be a superficial and irresponsible use of funds and I hope you consider the long-term implications.
The athletic fields discussion requires a GHG analysis for the alternatives. General data scattered in documents are never compiled in a coherent fashion to give the BOS understanding of the emissions/impacts. An informed decision must include assessment of the fields based on compliance with the County’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) objectives, as well as Sustainable Materials Management, which have been prioritized by the County and are in the Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, in the “Answers to Questions…” memo of April 18, 2022, staff are not aware of legal issues with ReMatch, but a letter provided by the SWAAC in March 2022 included proof that the PA DEP recently issued Notices of Violation to ReMatch for illegal storage of Solid Waste. There is no artificial turf recycling in the U.S. This is a compelling concern and results in unknown financial and environmental costs that would remain outstanding for the County if artificial turf is selected.
The Albemarle Co. Board should choose to invest in well maintained natural grass playing fields in our public parks. Choosing natural grass demonstrates that we intend to stay on track with our overarching goals for climate action, biodiversity, waste reduction and protecting the health and safety of our residents and environment. The Albemarle County Natural Heritage and Solid Waste Alternatives Advisory Committees have clearly expressed to the Board why they don’t support the introduction of artificial turf into our parks. As you think about the options presented, please take into careful consideration the many attributes of artificial turf that ultimately work to undermine our most important goals. We can have the economic and societal benefits of improved sports facilities without the risks to human and environmental health, and without the high greenhouse gas emissions associated with artificial turf.
Artificial Turf-- twenty-five tons of plastic, and that's just the carpet and backing. Let's call it what it really is: a Plastic Playing Field.
I can't believe we are even considering this. Climate change is our greatest existential threat. We are supposed to be sequestering carbon, not sucking more fossil fuel out of the Earth. Who is the greatest beneficiary of a plastic playing field? Well, big oil of course; it takes 20,000 gallons of oil to make one plastic field. After we're done with the field (about ten years) what happens to the plastic? Oh, don't worry; someone will build a recycling plant. Yeah, sure, just like someone will invent a safe way to dispose of nuclear waste, or don't worry, those mine tailings aren't poisonous. Truth is, we will end up with more giant mountains of fading green plastic--a problem someone else can deal with.
Please do not install synthetic turf fields!! As an athlete, they are miserable to play on. Even setting aside the heat, the stench, and the terrible playing surface, synthetic fields cause more injuries and overall wear on the players' bodies. I used to love playing in SOCA's leagues but had to quit after they migrated most games to synthetic fields - I could no longer afford the doctor bills or the personal risk.
Beyond the experience for athletes, installing synthetic turf fields now is an intentional choice to turn a blind eye to their climate impact. An increase in plastics, heat, waste, and light pollution - and adding up to unknown maintenance costs down the road. Please do what is best for our community and make the commitment to install only natural grass fields from here on out. Thank you!
I hope that Albemarle County will invest in natural grass playing fields rather than plastic turf fields. Artificial turf (AT) offers a perceived convenience that kicks serious problems like climate change and plastic pollution down the road. What will we do with the tons of plastic waste generated per field when the materials need to be replaced? How much will it cost to responsibly deal with this waste? What recycling options will actually be available? What about the impact of lighting these AT fields? Albemarle County made a commitment to climate action, sustainable materials management, water and biodiversity protection. It is easy to make proclamations and hope that someone else will deal with the problems we create. Let’s invest in natural grass fields that sequester carbon, do not add to the heat island effect, or contribute to the mounting plastic waste problem. It would be irresponsible to install plastic turf and LED lighting in Darden Towe or Biscuit Run Park.