PALO ALTO — The Palo Alto City Council voted on Jan. 12 to proceed with replacing the synthetic turf at El Camino Park with an improved synthetic system using organic cork infill alongside expanded mitigation measures, while also directing staff to run a natural‑grass pilot and study options to transition future fields away from synthetic turf.

The council’s ad hoc committee and staff framed the decision as a balance between playability and environmental-health concerns. Sara Robustelli, division manager for open space, parks and golf, summarized the turf study’s technical conclusions and recommended a three‑part approach: (1) replace El Camino’s worn synthetic turf with an improved system and organic infill plus risk‑mitigation (stormwater filtration, G‑Max monitoring, material testing); (2) pursue a natural‑grass pilot to test whether enhanced maintenance can increase playable hours; and (3) continue exploring longer‑term transitions — including hybrid systems — for other fields such as Cubberley.

“Moving forward, staff will pursue material testing and manufacturer verification as part of the replacement projects,” Robustelli said. She also told council that staff ordered inlet filters and would increase maintenance and testing to limit runoff and shedding.

The item drew roughly 42 public commenters. Supporters — youth players, coaches, adult‑league organizers and some doctors — described the fields as critical to year‑round play, mental health and injury reduction. “Turf fields make this possible,” a student speaker said, arguing turf kept practices running during winter storms. Opponents — environmental advocates, physicians and local residents — warned about microplastics, PFAS and long‑term health uncertainty and urged returning to grass or running thorough grass pilots before replacement.

Vice Mayor Stowe was among the most emphatic dissents. He referenced a Dec. 4 letter from the Santa Clara County Medical Association recommending against artificial turf on sports fields and school grounds and said he could not support the staff recommendation on public‑health grounds.

Council then voted in two parts. The first motion to accept the ad hoc and staff recommendation to replace El Camino’s turf, pursue a natural‑grass pilot and keep exploring Cubberley transition options passed 6–1; Vice Mayor Stone cast the lone no vote. The council subsequently approved a second, related motion on implementation steps unanimously.

What the motions require: Staff is directed to return with cost estimates and any appropriation requests as part of the FY 2027 budget process and to implement the specified risk‑mitigation measures (stormwater filtration, contractor testing and manufacturer verification for PFAS, regular G‑Max surface hardness testing and enhanced sweeping/maintenance).

Why it matters: The decision keeps El Camino available for year‑round play with upgraded turf materials while advancing a citywide process to test grass alternatives and reduce future reliance on synthetic materials.

What’s next: Staff will return with cost estimates and any budget requests during the FY 2027 cycle, and will report on the natural‑grass pilot’s feasibility and playability results before future turf replacements at Cubberley.