New Yorkers for Parks Releases “A New Turf War: Synthetic Turf in New York City Parks”

New Yorkers for Parks (NY4P) released A New Turf War today—the first comprehensive study that identifies the issues surrounding the use of synthetic turf and offers a series of recommendations on how to determine when and where synthetic turf is appropriate in New York City’s parks and athletic fields.

Due to past cuts to the Parks Department’s maintenance budget, and increased community demand for year-round activity, the Department is more frequently investing in synthetic turf throughout the city. In some instances, synthetic turf has been a welcome addition to local parks. However, recent cases of synthetic turf installations in Riverside Park and Cadman Plaza have caused tension between the city and these communities.

A New Turf War closely examines this strategy, as well as the maintenance, cost, safety and environmental issues associated with natural and synthetic turf.

“Our hope is that this report will provide a framework for a healthy debate and result in a process that addresses community concerns as well as the restraints on the Parks Department’s budget,” Christian DiPalermo, NY4P’s Executive Director said.

The document was created to serve as an independent resource for practitioners, park advocates, community members, students, and the media on the positive and negative impacts of synthetic turf in the city’s parks. NY4P consulted park experts, academics, community groups and the Parks Department when compiling this report.

NY4P’s position:

• Synthetic turf is preferable to asphalt.

• Well-maintained natural turf is more environmentally sound than synthetic turf.

• In communities where 12-month use is desired, synthetic turf is appropriate for soccer fields but natural turf should be used for baseball fields.

• Synthetic turf is a fairly new surface, so health impacts and wear issues have yet to be determined.

• Community approval should be a major deciding factor in whether or not a park receives synthetic turf.

For more on the study, please see the attached executive summary. A New Turf War is available for download at www.ny4p.org, along with the Parks Department’s response to the report.

NY4P is the only independent watchdog for all the city’s parks, beaches and playgrounds. For nearly 100 years, NY4P has worked to promote and protect the city’s 28,800 acres of parkland.

# # #