Public comment: No artificial turf at Golden Gardens; stop approving toxics for Bethel

Presenter: Three meetings in a span of six days offered up public comments on the proposed Golden Gardens sports complex and its artificial turf. At the Sustainability Commission meeting Nov. 20:

Zach Mulholland: Hi, my name is Zach Mulholland. I’m the Bethel neighborhood representative on the Golden Garden Parks Advisory Committee, advising on the development of the sports complex there.

[00:00:25] You should have received a letter from Lin Woodrich, the Active Bethel Community neighborhood association chair, sharing the neighborhood’s desire for a minimum 500-foot buffer around the northwest pond turtle habitat, and no artificial turf on the site.

[00:00:40] Looking at the matrix of things to include in a triple bottom line analysis, the matrix looks pretty good, but I wanted to specifically call out a couple items.

[00:00:50] So 6PPD is a rubber tire additive associated with salmon die-offs. That would be contained in any crumb rubber infill. So, making sure 6PPD gets looked at.

[00:01:01] Looking at the views of organizations representing professional athletes, like the NFL Players Association and the U.S. women’s soccer team, both of which advocate against artificial turf due to increased rates of sports injury, heat island, and global warming effects.

[00:01:18] Artificial turf is much hotter than natural grass, and as the planet gets warmer, and we have more and more days above 80 degrees and above 90 degrees, looking at how that’s going to affect playability both now, but also in the future.

[00:01:34] Looking at local neighborhood views: Many people who live closest to the park want to maintain the park as their valued natural space and artificial turf doesn’t fit into a natural area.

[00:01:45] The development should strive to not undermine the quality of the natural area.

[00:01:49] And lastly, the effect on turtles, birds, including migratory birds, fish and people. Some people do eat the fish in the ponds, so any bioaccumulation issues related to microplastics and other substances that they might end up ingesting.

[00:02:05] With the northwest pond turtle having lost 99% of its habitat and up for listing under the Endangered Species Act, taking the species into account is critical.

[00:02:14] Debra McGee: Debra McGee speaking. I attended the Golden Gardens presentation at Prairie Mountain School last Wednesday and want to appreciate and give kudos to the city staff. They did a great job of presenting, and it was very informational, a lot of good turnout.

[00:02:34] My main concern is about the playing fields and the artificial turf. It was mentioned that the 14 playing fields will constitute 44 acres of plastic turf, if that’s what the council decides. And my main concern is, you know, do some Googling. There’s like 15 carcinogens, neurotoxins, all kinds of really bad, bad things for the environment in that artificial turf.

[00:03:04] I’m also well aware that as more and more of us drive electric cars, the fossil fuel industry is going to find more and more ways to try to give us their plastic. And we know it’s not good for humans. It’s not good for turtles. It’s not good for the planet.

[00:03:18] So I really hope you will not further burden our home, and especially the Bethel area, which is already assaulted by many not good environmental harms. So please take careful consideration to consider the value of having natural soil-based turf. It’s better for everyone.

[00:03:37] Jim Neu: I agree with Deb McGee. Staff did a great job at the presentation of the Golden Gardens Park facility. And they talked about the possible use of crumb rubber or artificial turf. Scientific studies have proven that health and injury risks from using artificial turf or crumb rubber sports fields, the toxic recycled tire rubber particles get airborne and ingested, inhaled, and have been detected in ambient air and in saliva samples.

[00:04:06] The contents of crumb rubber are PFAS ‘forever chemicals,’ biphenyl phthalates, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, VOCs, lead, zinc, and fossil fuel products in the plastic. Foot and ankle injuries increase due to unforgiving surfaces as well as skin burns and abrasions.

[00:04:24] Crumb rubber chemical components are soluble in water, which contaminate the ground, water bodies, and soils.

[00:04:31] Temperatures of artificial turf fields are on the average of 20 to 50 degrees hotter than natural turf and have been measured at 130 degrees F.

[00:04:39] As Zach said, the U. S. women’s soccer league are no longer required to play on artificial turf fields and the NFL Players Association prefers natural grass to artificial turf due to injuries from unforgiving turf surfaces.

[00:04:53] These fields are very expensive to install, have to be raked by machine weekly, dependent on usage, and have to be replaced every 10 to 15 years.

[00:05:01] I urge you to recommend an alternative field first surface than artificial turf and crumb rubber due to the human health and environmental reasons and to protect the waterways and habitat at Golden Gardens Park.

[00:05:14] Peter Dragovich: My name is Peter Dragovich, and I have some comments also on the turf, artificial versus natural.

[00:05:21] Two months ago, Clean Water Action in an article titled, “The turf is artificial, but the harm is very real,” stated: “Artificial turf contains hundreds of harmful chemicals like lead, heavy metals, benzene, arsenic, volatile organic compounds, PFAS with phthalates, some of which are cancer-causing (carcinogens), neurotoxins, and or endocrine disruptors.

[00:05:46] Even new ‘safer’ alternatives contain carcinogens and neurotoxins. Unfortunately, there are gaps in what we know about synthetic turf because manufacturers are not required by law to reveal all of the chemicals used.

[00:06:02] Some manufacturers claim that their artificial turf is now PFAS-free, but this has not been supported by research.

[00:06:10] One scientific review of synthetic turf research found that in 14 studies that tested for lead, all contained lead, with the levels varying between playing fields. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and prevention, there is no safe blood lead level.

[00:06:27] Outdoor artificial turf can get moldy over time and experience a buildup of animal and bird feces and related harms, thus requiring ongoing disinfection. This type of turf can also reach dangerous temperatures of over 160 degrees F in the summer sun, while natural grass rarely exceeds 100 degrees F. Kids have complained of skin burns and extreme heat penetrating their athletic shoes.

[00:06:53] What is put on the field does not stay on the field. Synthetic turf breaks down into smaller pieces, including microplastics less than five millimeters. They are carried long distances by the wind, leach into water systems, storm drains, and contaminate the soil.

[00:07:08] Natural grass has the benefit of mitigating climate change. It has a cooling effect, oxygenates the air, captures carbon, and absorbs water more readily, which helps to reduce flooding and stormwater runoff. End quote.

[00:07:23] I’d like to add to that natural grass has the additional benefit that is not made from fossil fuels.

[00:07:29] And in conclusion, the Clean Water Action article says, ‘The Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center at the Institute for Climate Change recommends against the installation of artificial turf playing surfaces and fields due to the uncertainties surrounding the safety of these products and the potential for dangerous heat and chemical exposures.’

[00:07:54] Lin Woodrich (Active Bethel Community): I just wanted to say that everything that I’ve heard so far, there’s nothing more that I can add. It is a dangerous idea for our children. I am a Bethel resident and we are very much for the natural grass and are very protective of our park.

[00:08:11] And we’re not real, well, maybe not all of us, but many of us are very upset about having a sports park there anyway. And if we have the artificial turf, that is basically spoiling the park for the children and for the animals. We’re just very upset about that. So please consider making sure that there is just the natural grass.

[00:08:34] Jennifer Eisele (Beyond Toxics): My name is Jennifer. I’m from Beyond Toxics. I submitted some comments by email, but I would just call your attention to the issue of PFAS and PFOS chemicals used in the manufacture of artificial turf.

[00:08:48] Oregon DEQ has initiated a rulemaking yesterday regarding reclassification or adoption of rules to align the CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) list with PFAS and PFOS as hazardous materials. So that is the first time that the CERCLA hazardous material list has been updated in over 40 years, and Oregon Health Authority has already moved to ban PFAS and PFOS materials in children’s products and personal care products, so a more widespread ban is likely in the future, and the artificial turf manufacturers that are claiming that their product is PFAS free, is still often using PFAS in the manufacturing process, so there’s secondary transfers of those materials onto the turf.

[00:09:42] So, I would just like to point that out for consideration, and then the only other thing I had is that we were informed that Parametrix would lead the triple bottom line (TBL) analysis. So, we do have some concerns that Cameron McCarthy might be taking a slightly biased approach towards the TBL because they are the contracted designers who have worked with the turf industry. So we just urge transparency around the publication of that report.

[00:10:11] Presenter: Lisa Arkin, the executive director of Beyond Toxics, also submitted a letter.

[00:10:18] Danielle Klinkebiel (Eugene staff): We also got a letter from Lisa Arkin, and I will quickly summarize that. So she is submitting research articles from independent sources on the impact of artificial turf on the environment and human health.

[00:10:31] She shared that in 2018, there was 100 million pounds of plastic and tire waste that entered the air merely from the disposal of synthetic turf. Artificial turf has been shown to increase ground surface temperatures, thus aggravating climate change. There’s a major concern of the proliferation of microplastics and harmful chemicals that leach from artificial turf, that once these are in the environment, they do not biodegrade, they accumulate in animals, in the water, in food consumed by humans, in wildlife.

[00:11:02] The release of microplastics and its breakdown of byproducts such as PFAS is also a large concern and she urges the Sustainability Commission to consider the lifecycle costs as well. And has some concerns as well about the triple bottom line analysis process as it has been presented, as it seems to have been created by the Cameron McCarthy company, which she believes is a conflict of interest. So she urges the Commission to seek expert guidance from environmental health researchers and others who study artificial turf, but are not involved in the manufacture, sale and disposal of it.

[00:11:42] There’s also a letter from Dianne Woelke. She is representing, she is submitting comment on behalf of Safe Healthy Playing Fields Inc. which is an all-volunteer nonprofit committed to educating communities, policymakers, and elected officials about the health, safety, and financial realities of plastic fields. She shared information that synthetic turf is not a sustainable product, according to the United Nations, UCLA, and Rutgers University.

[00:12:16] Artificial turf is not recyclable. Synthetic turf is a petrochemical plastic product that presents a range of concerns, including PFAS, and shares a lot of the risks of PFAS and putting PFAS back into the world.

[00:12:33] Presenter: The day after the Sustainability Commission, an online webinar summarizing the last few years of public involvement.

[00:12:41] Alli Langley (Cameron McCarthy): My name is Alli Langley. I’m a public involvement specialist with Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architecture and Planning. I wanted to talk more about public involvement that we’ve done through this process in 2023 and now here in 2024.

[00:12:57] We formed a project advisory group to give feedback and advise on this project and the intent was to have diverse interest groups and perspectives represented. And so we ended up having about 10 people on that advisory group and they were representing Bethel School District, Bethel Neighborhood Association, environmental advocates, three organizations that represent environmental conservation and environmental justice, sports groups for youth and adults and economic development. And then we also had the mother of one of the children who died at the ponds about 20 years ago was also in that advisory group.

[00:13:36] We did a series of interviews, we did three advisory group meetings, again, looking for broad perspectives in that advisory group. We also did three focus groups, one with ecology and natural resource advocates, one with sports groups, and one with mobility device users. We tabled with interactive activities at five neighborhood events in the Bethel neighborhood in spring and summer of last year.

[00:14:03] And then we also hosted three public meetings, both in person at schools in the Bethel neighborhood and with hybrid or remote options.

[00:14:10] We did three surveys, including the one that is live right now—encouraging folks to take that survey—it’s on the project website and the website already has FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about this project and we’ll be continuing to update those based on the input that we’ve gotten today and last week.

[00:14:27] Presenter: She offered a quick summary of the public comment to date.

[00:14:31] Alli Langley (Cameron McCarthy): Last year as we were going through understanding what folks needed and wanted out of this park, a few things were rising to the top as well as some concerns for the park planning process. So I’ll just reiterate those. These are the top things that we heard.

[00:14:46] We heard that folks really wanted sports facilities sufficient for tournaments, a habitat area with conservation and enhancement of that habitat area, neighborhood park amenities, and that’s things like playgrounds, picnic shelters, more paths and trails, bathrooms, and equitable access across demographics and transportation modes.

[00:15:07] In terms of concerns coming up, we’ve heard folks concerned about loss of the existing park experience; wildlife and environmental impacts neighbor impacts so that’s to folks who live in the adjacent residences, so that could be noise, lights and traffic; and then potential undesirable use such as litter, off-leash dogs and overnight use; and then maintenance costs.

[00:15:30] So we’ll be summarizing the questions that were asked at last week’s meeting and this week’s meeting in a public involvement report that’ll detail all of what we heard through this process. And again, you can go on the project website now and see the summaries from previous engagement methods and that’s where that’ll be found in the future.

[00:15:49] Presenter: At the city council Nov. 25, the third meeting in six days with public comment on Golden Gardens Park:

[00:15:56] Robin Bloomgarden: Robin Bloomgarden. I think that City Council does not appreciate how many bad ideas have been foisted onto Bethel over many years. Baxter was horrible from the beginning and now EPA is cleaning it up. EWEB tried to quietly slip in a hydrogen natural gas experimental blending facility to supply West Eugene only in 2022, which was quickly squashed.

[00:16:27] Highway 99 through Bethel is an eyesore that does nothing to facilitate livability here. The proposed USD Eugene Clean Fuels transloading facility in Trainsong is another insult to a small community already suffering from a long-term toxic leaks problem from the railroad yards and dioxin contamination in the one tiny park there.

[00:16:54] Now Golden Gardens Natural Area is slated to become a massive sports facility with plastic and rubber playing surfaces that will degrade into the turtle ponds and night lighting shooting upwards and lighting the whole dang neighborhood as well as confusing any birds flying nearby.

[00:17:15] Now there is one new plan that is actually a good idea for Bethel: the metamorphosis of Clear Lake School into a community center to service the whole area with library services, adult education through the Y, Boys and Girls Club, preschool promise, and hopefully a large gathering space for ABC meetings, etc. Thank you for this plan.

[00:17:40] Dawn Scott: I’m here to discuss the citizen concerns about the Golden Garden Sports Complex. My name is Dawn Scott. We bought a home near the park in November of 2022, and the public involvement process began in 2023.

[00:17:54] The current concept presents an expansive set of outdoor athletic fields for soccer, softball, and many other activities, enhancing with regional and even statewide tournaments, and may in fact have several staff members to sell and manage the facility. We’ve been told until recently that it was too early in the planning process to discuss sound and lighting studies.

[00:18:16] We have finally been advised, upon pressing on those issues, that there are no requirements for either a noise or a lighting study for this development, as they are not required by city code. There will likely be a public address system within the park for the various venues, and there will obviously be significant field lighting as well.

[00:18:36] There will be noise from the public address systems, audiences in two seating areas, horns honking, field lights, and more for what could be several days of the week for many weeks of the year, especially if toxic AstroTurf is applied so the playing season can be extended.

[00:18:53] All of this is being dropped into a quiet residential area with an existing carefully developed natural area that is home to an endangered western pond turtle population, as well as a popular area for a variety of birds and other wildlife. This can dramatically diminish the quality of life in the Eugene neighborhood.

[00:19:11] Sporting and economic interests are strong advocates for this complex. The neighbors, conversely, have no power base to operate from and have been delayed in dealing with their concerns until it is perceived by some to be too late.

[00:19:24] This is disappointing and, I find, unacceptable. I believe noise and lighting studies, although not required, should be conducted to evaluate how these factors will affect the residents and the wildlife in and around the sports complex and that a full EIS might be in order.

[00:19:41] I hadn’t had a whole lot of time to organize this with my neighbors, but I will say that there are some people that will be standing behind me at this point who have expressed a similar concern to mine as to the quality of life and the ecosystem in this area, that has the park development in it.

[00:19:58] Presenter: Beyond Toxics asks for a review of the city’s triple bottom line process for potential bias in favor of artificial turf, and Bethel residents share their thoughts on the proposed Golden Gardens sports complex. Learn more about the project at the city website, engage.eugene-or.gov/GoldenGardens.