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Norwood committee presses vendor for PFAS-free turf details on airport playground
Summary
The Community Preservation Committee discussed a vendor proposal to substitute poured-in-place surfacing with a synthetic turf alternative for the Airport Park playground, asking staff to confirm the product, PFAS content, drainage and warranty before approving a change.
The Town of Norwood Community Preservation Committee on March 26 discussed a vendor proposal to use synthetic turf instead of poured-in-place surfacing for the new airport playground and asked staff to get detailed product information and confirm environmental and schedule criteria.
Committee members said the turf option could be less costly, has a longer warranty and installs faster than poured-in-place rubber surfacing, but members also raised concerns about PFAS chemicals, drainage and long-term maintenance. Kristen (staff) summarized the vendor memo and the committee's questions: "they had originally proposed the poured in place surfacing ... when they did some further research, they found an alternative that's more cost effective."
Amanda (committee member) urged the committee to confirm the specific product and PFAS testing data. She said some turf products use PFAS in manufacturing and asked the vendor to specify materials and, if possible, a PFAS-free option. "It does not go away. It does not leave the body," Amanda said when describing why minimization is important.
Members also asked about drainage and whether heavy storms could undermine padding or accessibility. Cheryl described a prior local installation where water undermined turf padding after a severe downpour and said that problem reduced accessibility for wheelchairs and toddlers. John Hall and others emphasized the committee should expect vendor-level specificity and be ready for back-and-forth if the product is not acceptable.
Kristen said the proposed vendor is Atlantic Sports Group and that the product pricing cited (about $15.75 per square foot) likely included padding but she would confirm. She told the committee she would ask Mark Ryan (project contact) whether the vendor intends to use SYNLawn or another PFAS-free product and would report back in writing for members to review before the April 9 meeting. If answers meet the committee's criteria, staff may clear the project to proceed; otherwise the vendor will be invited to the April 9 meeting.
The committee did not vote on the surfacing change at the meeting; members directed staff to obtain written documentation of the specific product, any PFAS testing or certifications, confirmation of warranty and a drainage plan, and to circulate those responses to committee members in advance of the next meeting.
