Artificial turf fields

Representing painters' union members, urged the council to follow staff's scientific data and support the turf recommendation.

A 22-year turf installer and union business rep, supported the staff recommendation citing new zero-PFAS, cooler, recyclable turf products.

Representing youth-serving organizations including the NAACP and YWCA, opposed turf, citing health and environmental impacts and the climate action plan.

A parent of two young players, opposed turf, describing extreme heat on plastic fields and legal liability risks.

A longtime soccer league operator, supported keeping the two existing turf fields, saying grass fields under heavy use deteriorate into dirt.

Opposed turf on greenhouse gas grounds, citing CO2 emissions figures and phthalate endocrine-disruption concerns.

Suggested a pilot using organic regenerative practices on at least one field and noted UC Riverside's high-use Bermuda hybrid grass.

Opposed turf, saying children's health shouldn't be traded for playing hours and criticizing the use of children as props at a prior committee meeting.

A former FIFA Women's World Cup player and environmental scientist, argued turf protects play access for lower-income kids in an 'urban play desert.'

A fourth-grader who said he loves nature and asked the council to say no to plastic grass.

Speaking for Spanish-speaking families who use the parks, said they support turf because it keeps their kids playing locally.

Union representative urged approval of turf, citing jobs, water savings, and the need to prove grass can meet demand before switching.

A public health doctor raised in Pasadena, acknowledged play access but questioned counting on longer hours given heat and pending health guidelines.

Read a letter from the West Pasadena Little League president supporting turf at Robinson Park with strong heat and chemical standards rather than a ban.

Cited turf surface temperatures of 140-170 degrees and urged a vote consistent with the climate action plan and environmental justice element.

Environmental Commission chair questioned the three-month closure claim, the diluted process, and unclear costs for environmental contract requirements.

Warned that approving turf normalizes fake grass everywhere and urged creative alternatives like grants and building more parks.

Speaking for West Pasadena and Central Altadena Little Leagues, supported turf for reliable field access.

A longtime youth football coach, cited injury statistics showing higher foot, ankle, and knee injury rates on turf.

A Villa Park club coach, said turf works with heat mitigation, and that he's seen more injuries on hardened summer grass fields.

Cited carcinogens, neurotoxins, and off-gassing in artificial turf and urged a ban and funding for natural grass.

Warned about PFAS, microplastics, and questionable recycling claims, questioning where old turf would actually be shipped.

Opposed turf in majority-minority communities, citing PFAS health risks, injury rates, and microplastics in the water table.

A Villa Park club coach and adult league player, urged preserving the turf field, citing access and equity for kids who can't afford club soccer.

Questioned why the council should trust plastic manufacturers, citing a history of downplayed risks and the BPA replacement precedent.

Opposed turf, noting both parks are in Black and brown communities and asking the council to reconsider, including sod options.