Pasadena staff recommend PAS‑free, recyclable artificial turf for Villa and Robinson parks; council asks for more study

Kokopanosian, director of Pasadena’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, told the Municipal Service Committee that staff recommends replacing the existing artificial turf at Villa Park and Robinson Park with enhanced artificial‑turf systems that are recyclable, manufactured without PAS and use natural infill such as coconut husks, olive pits and walnut shells.

The proposal aims to preserve year‑round playability and reduce lengthy closures that staff said would be required if fields returned to natural grass. "If we want to play year‑round, not reduce programming, the option would be to go with the artificial turf," Kokopanosian said, adding that newer materials reduce surface heat and are permeable after heavy rain.

Why it matters: The parks host heavy evening and weekend demand; staff said the city has 22 athletic fields, serves more than 20,000 participants systemwide and regularly turns away 20–25 groups annually for lack of capacity. Staff presented a 10‑year cost model that — under its assumptions — showed higher lifecycle costs for artificial turf ($~2.44 million) than for natural grass ($~1.53 million) but many more usable hours for turf (about 3,250 hours/year vs. about 1,850 for natural grass). Staff also said capital funds and operating funds come from different sources, and cited a short survey (123 responses, April 7–14) in which roughly 70% of Villa Park soccer respondents preferred turf.

What supporters said: Coaches and many parents argued turf preserves low‑cost, year‑round access for historically underserved families and helps keep youth active. "Villa Park is a gem that serves a working‑class community," said Daniel Robinson, a coach at Villa Park. "The only way to do that year‑round is with a turf pitch."

What critics said: Public commenters and environmental advocates urged caution, asking for full chemical disclosure of all turf layers, independent health analysis, and attention to heat, microplastics and wildfire risk. "I find it very disturbing to use our children as a demonstration without a full and complete exposure of the health risks," said Cynthia Kennedy, who urged staff to identify specific chemicals in the products rather than marketing terms like "natural." Ann Lefort of the SoCal Stop Artificial Turf Task Force warned that coconut‑based infill raises sourcing and processing concerns and described turf as a plastic product that could pose wildfire and environmental risks.

Staff responses and technical claims: Staff said the public health department and recent peer‑reviewed work have not identified a demonstrated health harm from older rubber infill, pointed to CalEPA findings cited in the presentation and said manufacturers now offer PAS‑free infill options that reduce peak surface temperatures by an estimated 40–50 degrees in extreme conditions. Staff also noted capital costs presented were initial estimates (artificial turf initial construction roughly $970,000; conversion back to grass shown as roughly $1.1 million in the packet, and staff modeled a $1.2 million replacement at year 10 in their 10‑year scenario) and that a targeted $80,000 patch program could extend field life for about a year.

Council direction: Council members described themselves as "conflicted" and declined to vote. Instead they gave staff specific next steps: assemble a small ad hoc (less than a quorum) to consult with the Rose Bowl turf specialists, Pasadena Public Health, environmental and sustainability staff and Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) about shared‑use options, hybrid field technologies and maintenance intensity; require cradle‑to‑cradle or equivalent product specifications and full material disclosures in procurement; analyze microplastics and heat‑mitigation options; and return with a timeline and a procurement schedule. Staff said construction ideally would be scheduled in a fall/winter window to reduce program impact and that, working backward, a procurement decision to meet an October construction start could require a council direction many months in advance.

What’s next: Staff said they will work with the city manager to set an ad hoc membership and timeline, collect requested technical materials (specifications and certifications), consult Rose Bowl experts and PUSD, and report back to MSC or full City Council. Staff warned that without at least temporary repairs (estimated at about $80,000) some fields could require shutdown within a year.

The committee adjourned without a final decision; council members directed staff to return with product specifications, an engagement plan and a recommended schedule for procurement and construction.