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Residents warn of extreme heat on artificial turf; council says scheduling, shade are being used to protect kids
Summary
Residents cited daytime surface temperatures up to 139°F on artificial turf and urged the council to prioritize grass fields for health and safety. Officials said summer camps and programs are being scheduled to avoid high-heat use and that school-district property decisions are separate from village control.
At a July 15 Ridgewood Village Council meeting, several residents urged the council to reconsider use of artificial-turf fields for youth sports after one local volunteer presented surface-temperature measurements showing extremely hot conditions.
"As in today, at 1:20 this afternoon, the outside temperature was 94 degrees. And over on Stevens Field ... the temperature ranged from 137 to 139 degrees on the field itself," resident John Fry said, reporting readings he took with a handheld thermal gun and urging the council to use available grass fields instead. He said Vets Field measured about 96–98 degrees the same day, a difference he described as “about 40 to 50 degrees between the grass and the artificial turf.”
Others raised related health and environmental concerns. "Artificial turf is one of the largest contributors to microplastic pollution," resident Cynthia O'Keefe said, adding that smoke from Canadian wildfires had made outdoor activity dangerous on some days. She also urged the council to avoid placing youth fields next to busy roadways.
Village officials responded that the village and its recreation staff are adjusting programming to reduce heat exposure. The village manager said summer camp activities are scheduled to keep children in shaded areas and that on extreme-heat days certain turf surfaces are not used for camp activities. "On those extreme heat days, we are not using the turf for any activities that involve those children who attend the day camp," the manager said.
Officials also clarified jurisdictional limits raised during public comment. The manager noted that at least one activity referenced in social media was on Board of Education property, which the village does not control; village scheduling rules apply only to municipal fields. The manager and Access Ridgewood representatives emphasized the need for community partners when pursuing special-needs housing or program sites.
Why it matters: Turf temperatures can exceed ambient air temperatures by wide margins and can increase heat-exposure risk for athletes and spectators; residents asked the council to factor temperature differences, wildfire smoke, proximity to Route 17 and microplastic concerns into future field-planning and event scheduling.
What council members said: Council members and staff urged residents to report specific safety concerns and said they will continue to meet with parks staff and community partners. Access Ridgewood representatives described expanded programming and a willingness to help with outreach and planning for inclusive events.
Next steps: Officials said they will continue reviewing scheduling practices, meet with community partners, and discuss safety measures for fields; no formal ordinance or policy change on turf was proposed during the meeting.
