Public service announcement from Save Our Neighbourhood Parks. Action required.
Take the survey (ends April 11, 2023) and write to our Park Board Commissioners (PBcommissioners@vancouver.ca).
Survey link: https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/sport-field-strategy
The Vancouver Park Board is back at it, wanting to put synthetic turf into our neighbourhood parks. This means we will no longer have access to the park as we do now. We need our green spaces for physical and mental health – a place of refuge- to picnic, run our dogs or just be there.
The Vancouver Field Sport Federation has 40,000 members who want synthetic turf fields. We need to make ourselves heard strongly and loudly or Our grass fields will be taken away. Please Speak Up.
Why keep natural grass playing fields?
We need our local sports fields. We want them safe, healthy, and environmentally sound and open to everyone. Aren’t we in a climate crisis?
If synthetic turf fields are safe why must World Cup soccer games be played on natural grass?
Athletes of all ages risk concussions, ACL tears, Staph infections, by playing on synthetic turf fields. Synthetic turf fields can reach 200 F, double the temperature of grass fields.
Are Synthetic turf fields healthy? NO
They have toxic materials including lead, phenol, cadmium, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Unhealthy for children. Unhealthy for adults.
Will synthetic turf fields be cheaper to maintain?
Synthetic turf fields are expensive to install, and regular maintenance includes sweeping, replenishing infill, vacuuming and cleaning. These fields last only 7 to 12 years. They are not recyclable. And end up in our land fills. Not Cheap!
Are synthetic turf fields safe for the environment?
Crumb rubber pellets and micro plastics migrate downstream to our sewer system and discharge into our rivers and oceans.
Not safe for the Environment! Real grass absorbs CO2 , supplies oxygen, filters pollution, absorbs heat and offers biodiversity for wildlife above and below ground.
Please Speak Up.
Take the survey and write to our Park Board Commissioners
https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/sport-field-strategy (Limited time for survey March 28-April/2023)
For more information
facebook.com/ourneighourhoodparks/
Contact us clintonpark2018@gmail.com
Want more information? Read “Protect Vancouver’s grass sports fields from becoming synthetic turf, says ‘Save Our Neighbourhood Parks’ group” (https://cityhallwatch.wordpress.com/2022/02/18/synthetic-turf-vs-grass-fields-petition/)
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