Council approves Astroturf contract for Veterans Park after debate over size, PFAS-free infill and funding

The South Burlington City Council voted July 6 to award a contract for a new artificial turf field at Veterans Park, approving a design that staff and recreation officials said would support multiple sports and use a PFAS-free wood-chip infill.

Silken Kirschner, project manager for Transportation and Open Spaces, told the council the proposed turf would be roughly 330 by 190 feet with a six-foot buffer and that different striping packages account for part of the cost increase. On materials she said the preferred infill is a wood-chip product and summarized vendor testing and references: "The Brock infill is our best option." Councilors requested the vendor testing and references be provided on the public record before finalizing procurement paperwork.

Council debate centered on process, incremental cost and uses. One councilor said the larger size added about $75,000 to the project and asked for a clearer analysis of what new programmed uses the extra square footage would enable. Staff responded that the larger layout mirrors adjacent fields and that declining to approve now would not force the city to accept a different price, noting the permitting and design process would continue and a full cost estimate including site work will follow.

On funding, staff outlined several options: use of CIP reserves, including the improvements in a future update to the recreation impact-fee ordinance, or covering remaining funds in the FY28 budget. The AstroTurf package presented to council excluded certain site-work items; staff said those would be competitively bid once designs are finalized.

After a motion and second, the council approved the contract. The chair announced the tally as "3 ayes and 1 nay and 1 abstention." Councilor Beth recorded an abstention on the final vote.