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East Ridge council approves $3 million synthetic turf project at Camp Jordan amid health and runoff concerns
Summary
On July 24 the East Ridge City Council approved a resolution to install synthetic turf on four baseball fields and the soccer stadium at Camp Jordan Park at a cost not to exceed $3 million, after extended public comment about heat, chemicals and drainage. The vote was 4-1.
The East Ridge City Council on July 24 approved a resolution to install synthetic turf on Baseball and Softball Fields 5 through 8 and the soccer stadium at Camp Jordan Park, authorizing up to $3,000,000 for the project.
The item drew the meeting's longest public discussion, with residents raising concerns about recycled crumb-rubber infill, potential "forever" chemicals (PFAS), lead, elevated surface temperatures, disposal after the turf's 8-to-10-year life and runoff into the park's pond and Chickamauga Creek. Parks and Recreation staff and vendor representatives said the product specified uses a sand-and-rubber blend infill made from recycled tires, cited an April 2024 federal study on crumb rubber, and described measures for drainage and end-of-life recycling.
Parks and Recreation presented the project and the vendors in attendance included Baseline Sports Construction, ASA Engineering & Consulting and a representative from Shaw Sports Turf. Jill Higdon of Connect Sports, a local tournament organizer, said turf increases…
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