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Parents urge removal of artificial turf from district master plan, point to state greening grants
Summary
Community members asked the Sunnyvale School District to remove language endorsing artificial turf from the facility master plan and to prioritize natural green spaces; staff said it will return options and coordinate with an ongoing city study on turf alternatives.
Several parents asked the board to remove a line in the facility master plan recommending artificial turf and to favor vegetated, shade‑providing green schoolyards instead.
Andrea Guo (speaker 18) asked the board to "eliminate" the sentence that recommends installing artificial turf, saying research shows artificial turf is "neither sustainable nor healthy for the environment" and that natural plantings cool campus spaces and protect children on hot days. Guo cited recent state announcements about CAL FIRE and other green schoolyard grant programs intended to convert asphalt to vegetated, cooler areas.
Board members and staff acknowledged the concerns and discussed timing and study needs. Burns said staff can prepare a comprehensive analysis of artificial turf alternatives and align the district’s review with a city‑led study; board members requested options, cost comparisons and timeline for any proposed edits to the FMP language. No immediate change to the FMP was made at the meeting.
