Carlsbad council approves bid package for Poinsettia Park synthetic turf replacement after heated public debate

The Carlsbad City Council on Oct. 13 voted 4–1 to adopt project documents and authorize the city clerk to advertise for bids to replace the synthetic turf at Poinsettia Community Park with a Tencate “Pivot” system, a non‑infill synthetic turf the city staff described as PFAS‑free and fully recyclable in manufacturer projections.

The vote follows a two‑hour public hearing and staff presentation in which Parks and Recreation Director Kyle Lancaster, Park Planning Manager Nick Stupin, and Park Services Manager Todd Rees walked council through the project scope, costs, material specifications and maintenance comparisons to natural grass.

Staff said Poinsettia’s current turf — originally installed in 2004 and replaced once — is near the end of its useful life. The recommended Tencate Pivot system uses no crumb rubber or other performance infill; instead the product relies on a mineral ballast and an under‑turf shock/attenuation pad. Staff told the council the system carries a 12‑year warranty on the turf surface and a 25‑year warranty on the shock pad, and that the manufacturer reports laboratory testing showing no detectable PFAS in surface runoff. The project engineer’s construction estimate is about $2,000,000; staff presented a 24‑year life‑cycle comparison showing near parity between maintaining natural grass versus the proposed synthetic turf when amortized over two surface…