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Santa Monica sustainability commission votes to favor natural replacements over turf; directs staff to seek durable grass alternatives
Summary
After extensive public comment about health and environmental risks of synthetic turf, the commission unanimously approved a motion: no new artificial turf on city‑owned sports fields, maintain existing grass fields as grass, and, when turf fields reach end of life, seek bids for durable natural alternatives rather than automatically replacing with turf.
The commission debated city staff’s proposed policy on artificial turf and natural grass for city‑owned sports fields and, after extended public comment and staff briefing, passed a motion directing staff to change the replacement approach for existing turf.
Public speakers—including Diane Wolke of Safe Healthy Playlands, neighborhood coalition leaders and sports advocates—urged the commission to ban synthetic turf on environmental and health grounds. Wolke told commissioners that regulators and environmental groups have raised concerns about microplastics, PFAS and other potential chemical contaminants, and she cited recent moves by outside agencies (including a reference to a California Coastal…
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