[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5979910,"mediaKeyId","5786615-ceb1b17ace490f8dfbbb21373de60d5a","parentId",5786615,"title","Consultants present artificial-turf feasibility study for North Mesa and Overlook Park; board to send comments to Parks and Rec","audioSeconds",3099,"startMs",199191,"endMs",3298970,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786615-ceb1b17ace490f8dfbbb21373de60d5a&start=199&end=3298","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786615-ceb1b17ace490f8dfbbb21373de60d5a/thumbnail_199191.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5979910/New-Mexico/Consultants-present-artificial-turf-feasibility-study-for-North-Mesa-and-Overlook-Park-board-to-send-comments-to-Parks-and-Rec","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979910-3d83b1b45135da270e7df3dab0445952/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431339&Signature=nzSosRxa7hx9AVzLBAaHMoACmeu3ClR4OQdhN5g1EMH4BSfEwKUVKjUZm0yu1WqHfBAjCGiP~jR~gZFubahZNp4YJqzEBrQHG-BvvUBSTZ5PzRLerV84FmtJcjdlCTzlYmawkmolv~~q-T0a0eY2RvV-BEGbTDOPKJcCGjAK0HMPfkWWxvYccq56wbTvJQSQ5MHwlhR1S3NrN-4adiIdXFnd7G~1zJQ1wqeWcbhdrBVQH0eIYY6lIH9BzuH-Uk5UvdxKbDNUJemqaeGjpEGTqAfBMydRi~QRm0WkThb2HB4fpCsoEjW3yfaoqMG1CPcmNC3Vjlp9GYiFRt7G02Ecbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Los Alamos County, IL","date","2025-09-18T00:00:00Z","article","Consultants from NV5 presented an artificial-turf feasibility study for North Mesa Sports Complex and Overlook Park to the Los Alamos County Environmental Sustainability Board on Sept. 18, detailing conceptual site plans, phased cost estimates and sustainability analyses and asking the board to send comments to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board by Oct. 2. “This study is not meant to be a master plan and does not commit the county to any future decisions,” Lisa Gavioli, project manager with NV5, told the board. The study examined only the two named facilities and aimed to inform future decisions rather than require them.

The consultants summarized a five-meeting community engagement period, targeted interviews with Los Alamos Public Schools athletes and coaches and two public surveys that together generated more than 340 responses. “We received over 200 responses to the first survey and over 140 to the follow-up,” Gavioli said, and the report includes appendix tables and public-comment summaries. School athletes and coaches told the team they strongly support having some artificial-turf fields so seasons can begin earlier and playing surfaces remain level despite gopher damage, the consultants said.

The report recommends a limited, phased approach: conceptual reconfiguration of fields and site amenities, selective installation of synthetic turf (the team was asked to assess up to five turf fields across the two sites), and a menu of improvements that could be pursued in phases. The consultants provided phased cost estimates intended to allow the county to fund elements in $3–$5 million chunks; the report also describes options for amenities such as restrooms, concessions, EV parking and a cloverleaf-style layout meant to separate pedestrian circulation from vehicles.

On sustainability and health concerns, the consultants presented a balanced summary of third-party literature rather than original testing. The study identifies commonly raised issues—possible PFAS in materials, microplastic release, higher surface temperatures in heat, and perception of increased abrasions or skin infections—and pairs those concerns with findings from industry literature and standards. Gavioli said the report recommends selecting products with recognized environmental certifications (for example, Cradle to Cradle–certified materials where feasible) and relying on current industry standards when selecting turf systems. The team also summarized a “myths and facts” table in the report (table 3.3) to place perceived risks in context.

Todd Smith, the project civil engineer on the team, described regional maintenance realities: in the Rocky Mountain arid climate “there isn’t much need” for disinfection because dryness and sun reduce microbial survival, though he said wetter regions use more routine disinfection. On lifecycle and end-of-life concerns, the consultants told the board that some manufacturers now offer fully recyclable systems and that product selection influences embodied carbon, reuse and recyclability.

Public commenters and some board members raised reservations. Resident Dina Pessenson said she was concerned about long-term disposal, recyclability and undisclosed material ingredients and asked whether local recycling capacity and long-term waste disposal costs had been realistically accounted for. “How much of the high school field was recycled when it was removed within six years when we were told it would be 8–10 years? None of it was recycled,” Pessenson said. The report notes recyclability as a design criterion but also calls for consulting current research during final product selection.

Board members asked practical questions about budgeting, phasing and what would be included in a master plan. Joe Chandler asked whether the study assumed a single large overhaul or a menu of separable turf and site projects; Gavioli responded that the report provides phased cost estimates and a “menu” so the county can pursue pieces independently, and Smith said the phasing assumed realistic multi‑year funding windows. Board members also discussed local-specific issues—existing reclaimed-water irrigation at some fields, local pet and dog‑park interactions (consultants recommended keeping separate dog‑training areas away from turf), and summer surface temperatures.

The Environmental Sustainability Board approved a motion directing Chair Shannon Blair and staff liaison Angelica Gurule to collect comments from board members, condense overlap as appropriate and submit the boardʼs comments to the Parks and Rec Advisory Board no later than Oct. 2, 2025; the motion passed on a voice vote. The consultants plan to return to the Parks and Rec Advisory Board Oct. 9 and to present a final report to county council on Oct. 28 for consideration and potential approval.

The report and its appendices include conceptual plans, comparative maintenance tables (artificial vs. natural turf), recommended standards and a list of third-party resources the team cited. The consultants emphasized that the county retain a mix of natural and synthetic fields and did not recommend converting all fields to artificial turf.

For follow-up, the board will review the full feasibility report and submit comments by Sept. 30 to staff for compilation before the Oct. 2 deadline; county staff will pass combined feedback to Parks and Rec for their Oct. 9 meeting. The consultants and staff identified additional next steps such as master-planning, formal product selection tied to health and environmental standards, and further local analysis of maintenance and disposal logistics.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Los Alamos County - Environmental Sustainability Board on 2025-09-18 ","oneSentenceSummary","Consultants from NV5 presented an artificial-turf feasibility study for North Mesa Sports Complex and Overlook Park to the Los Alamos County Environmental Sustainability Board on Sept. 18, detailing conceptual site plans, phased cost estimates and sustainability analyses and asking the board to send comments to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board by Oct. 2.","taxTitle","Los Alamos, New Mexico","taxId",51137,"location","New Mexico","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5979905,"Environmental Sustainability Board weighs recycling contamination, plastic-bag outreach and timing of waste audit",379,5836470,6216200,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786615-ceb1b17ace490f8dfbbb21373de60d5a&start=5836&end=6216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786615-ceb1b17ace490f8dfbbb21373de60d5a/thumbnail_5836470.jpg","/articles/5979905/New-Mexico/Environmental-Sustainability-Board-weighs-recycling-contamination-plastic-bag-outreach-and-timing-of-waste-audit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979905-de2e0a8b78976dd58fa6bc265228d18b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431339&Signature=GU04tL13b4xJK0t03MRQivyT4hFrrQBWN6SaIhiK5mr8aNLHKY5KY-gUEtwuMpcqaSfkFU-~tEeX6BpukRZSslIfq6efFfo-xZpPKsYdZpaHmyNEQWPzlk0CZByzgFhLZ61kQ7yntFNsVqqAqKM7DNMuOwBv-JbgOuNYqt-EVl06x8fv0xkMzzStMW4qpR5lunfG4nTagbe4QreIJJfQX861pu9qJI-LBWfYgAJrK21NG4jh5GHo6fT1LtZRwKmiNJEe1juP0lZq6YH7~-yeqMw-g1C0nRYZhL~RL9z9bvbPuk7L9GeUasyPJkBiuSncaNM2DxJOhLkECKofBNaoLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Los Alamos County Environmental Sustainability Board discussed recycling contamination, an informal survey tied to Cleanup Los Alamos Day and an upcoming formal waste audit at its Sept. 18 meeting, and agreed to provide an initial update to county council before completing a formal recommendation. Angelica Gurule, the county sustainability staff liaison, reported that current household recycling contamination is about 17 percent and that disposal charges are roughly $46 per ton; board members said they want more data before recommending policy changes.

“We also confirmed that weʼre still at about a 17% contamination in our recycling stream, which is what Angelica said,” a board member summarized during the meeting. Staff told the board an Eco Station waste audit is being planned and that a more detailed audit is likely to occur no earlier than Thanksgiving; an informal survey from Cleanup Los Alamos Day will provide interim information.

Board members discussed education and operational steps that could reduce contamination, including clearer guidance on cardboard disposal and better signage or outreach about designated cardboard drop-off points at the Eco Station, the White Rock fire station and the transfer station. Angelica Gurule noted the county receives greater revenue for cardboard processed separately and that overfilling curbside bins with cardboard makes collection more difficult. The board identified cardboard education and a community survey as near-term, low‑cost actions.

The board also discussed whether to present preliminary findings in the Environmental Sustainability Board annual update to county council (the update is scheduled for Oct. 21 or 30 in the meeting record) or to wait for the formal waste-audit results. Members agreed to include a preliminary plastic-bag/recycling update in the ESB annual report and to follow up with a fuller presentation after the formal audit and the transfer-station data arrive.

Board members and staff noted that the countyʼs recycling contamination rate (about 17%) is below the national average cited by some sources (roughly 25%), but that local circumstances and the absence of a recent comprehensive audit limit precise conclusions. The countyʼs environmental services staff (represented in the discussion by references to Josh and Armando) indicated that conducting a formal waste audit requires significant staff time and temporary facility changes, which is why scheduling and scope must be coordinated.

Next steps the board recorded include compiling results from the Cleanup Los Alamos Day informal survey, working with county staff to get the formal waste-audit results when available and preparing a short plastic-bag/recycling briefing for county council in October with a fuller report to follow in November if the audit completes by Thanksgiving. The board also discussed possible public‑education messaging on cardboard reuse and drop-off practices to reduce contamination and conserve processing revenue.","Board members discussed an informal recycling audit, a 17% contamination rate reported by county staff, potential $46/ton disposal costs and plans for a focused outreach and data collection effort to inform council; the board agreed to present initial findings to county council in October and continue analysis after a formal waste audit.","actionData","errors"]

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Consultants present artificial-turf feasibility study for North Mesa and Overlook Park; board to send comments to Parks and Rec

Environmental Sustainability Board weighs recycling contamination, plastic-bag outreach and timing of waste audit