Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 6, 2019 Roosevelt Park plan calls for synthetic turf with organic infill By Barbara Taormina T oward the end of last week’s presentation on the plan to redesign Roosevelt Park, a group of Salemwood School students had a chance to share their opinions and concerns. They zeroed in on the synthetic turf field and health risks associated with chemicals that have been found in artificial turf designs, particularly those with crumb rubber infill. Some students talked about injuries, such as turf burns from the artificial grass. Others described playing on synthetic turf. One girl told the small crowd of residents who turned out for the meeting in Salemwood’s cafeteria that artificial turf heats up and “feels like a hot stove,” while another said it isn’t as soft as people might think. They all felt natural grass was the better choice, and they asked city officials not to install synthetic turf at Roosevelt Park. But the city is going with synthetic turf. As he has in the past, Stephen O’Neill, the city’s engiPrevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics, caution that children should not be exposed to any level of lead. And several leading health agencies are still assessing the risks. The synthetic turf industry Members of the Salemwood community protest the synthetic turf field planned for Roosevelt Park. neering consultant for the project, explained the park’s low-lying nature, poor drainage and soil conditions make artificial turf the best choice to meet the demand for field time from the city’s many sports teams and organizations. Megan Buczynski, a civil engineer for Activitas, a Dedham-based landscape architectural firm, agreed that field time is the biggest factor behind the push for synthetic turf. A natural grass field typically provides 400 hours of use compared to synthetic turf, Estate Sale Saturday, Dec. 7 Sunday, Dec. 8 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Household Items ~and~ Many Christmas Items 43 Alfred St., Everett which can be used for 1,200 to 1,500 hours, she explained. Buczynski presented an overview of the Roosevelt Park design with its multiuse synthetic turf field that combines two little league/softball fields with a rectangular space in the center that can accommodate soccer, lacrosse and field hockey teams. She also showed the audience plans for walkways, fences, a basketball shooting area and improvements to Salemwood’s existing outdoor classroom. Mayor Gary Christenson, who moderated the meeting, apologized to residents who have said they felt left out of the planning discussions for Roosevelt Park. “We are doing everything we can to get to where we want to go now,” he told the audience. As for the community’s concerns about health, the city is going to compromise. “We are not going to use crumb rubber; we are going to use organic infill,” said Christenson. For years, the synthetic turf industry used crumb rubber made from recycled tires as a foundation for carpets of artificial grass. When such a field was in use, tiny rubber particles that contained toxic chemicals, metals and lead escaped through the surface, where they would cling to or be inhaled by athletes. Turf proponents stress the lack of evidence linking that level of crumb rubber exposure to diseases or health problems, but organizations, such as the Centers for Disease Control and has responded with alternatives to crumb rubber, including plant-based infills made from cork, ground coconut and rice husks and crushed walnut shells. Although these materials are not certified organic by the US Dept. of Agriculture, they are marketed as organic by the turf industry. While demand for plant-based infills is rising, there are not many studies on the health and environmental impacts of these alternatives to crumb rubber. Although the risk of excessive heat exposure is reduced with plant-based infills, those who play on the fields still seem to suffer from turf burns and abrasions. And while the natural materials do not have the toxic chemicals found in crumb rubber, they are mixed with large amounts of silica sand, a carcinogen that causes respiratory problems. There are other chemicals to consider. Manufacturers often treat plant-based infills with pesticides, herbicides, flame retardants and microROOSEVELT PARK | SEE PAGE 23 Go Green Biodiesel $2.40 per gallon 978-219-9395 gogreenbiodiesel.com Price is subject to change • Heat your home with green, renewable, energy • Worry free home heating! Heating oil and burner service.
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