Carson City resident raises park-safety and microplastics concerns; commission staff says issue is outside its purview

A Carson City resident urged the Debt Management Commission to consider warning signs and remediation at Long Ranch Park and Governor's Park because of possible indoor-turf off-gassing and deteriorating bank material that may shed microplastics.

Denny French of Carson City raised the concerns during the commission's public-comment period, saying the bank material along King Canyon Creek is "quite old" and has frayed, creating what he described as both a trip hazard and a source of microplastics that could reach local aquifers. "I would also like to encourage no mowing of that area until that material's taken out because it multiplies the possibility of more microplastics going into the creek," French said.

French also asked whether the commission's authority extended to posting warnings about possible off-gases from indoor artificial turf at Governor's Park and to pesticide or fertilizer use on fields that could affect children with allergies.

Todd Derese, deputy district attorney, responded during the meeting that he did not believe those items fell under the Debt Management Commission's purview and offered to speak with French after the meeting. "I don't believe that those things that you raised would be under the purview of the debt management commission, but I'm happy to talk with you briefly afterwards if you'd like," Derese said.

No formal action was taken by the commission on the park-safety concerns during the meeting. The commission's agenda proceeded to its business items after public comment.