LB Parks & Rec Comm'n Votes 3-2 To Recommend Use of GeoFill/GeoTurf (Natural Coconut Fiber, Cork, Rice Husk), Not Acrylic Coated "Crumb Rubber," For Soccer Fields Artificial Turf
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(June 16, 2015) -- As webcast LIVE last night (June 15) by LBREPORT.com, LB's Parks & Rec Comm'n voted 3-2 (Yes: Goldberg, Sievers, Morrison; No: Antonette, Heggeness) to recommend use of a natural substance -- GeoFill/GeoTurf (coconut fiber, cork, rice husk) -- and NOT acrylic coated crumb rubber (from scrap tires) that had been recommended by Parks/Rec management as infill material for artificial turf soccer fields at El Dorado Park West, Admiral Kidd and Seaside Park and similar uses citywide.
A Parks/Rec staff PowerPoint estimated the GeoFill/GeoTurf material will cost $150,000-$168,000 with an unknown lifespan compared to $108,000 and an 8-10 yr lifespan for acrylic coated crumb rubber.
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The meeting was attended by roughly fifty people at its height and nearly all the public speakers at the Commission meeting opposed use of acrylic coated crumb rubber.
In public testimony, veteran park protection advocate Ann Cantrell urged maintaining natural grass, a position shared by at least two other public speakers strongly opposed using any artificial material. Ms. Cantrell also spoke against the use of crumb rubber, noting health concerns and excessive heat.
Parks & Rec staff said natural grass consumed more several times more water than artificial turf and cost more to maintain.
Also testifying in opposition to crumb rubber was Grace Earl of the El Dorado Park South Neighborhood Association and El Dorado Audubon.
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One public speaker testified that although crumb rubber itself didn't require a "Prop 65" warning, some of its chemical components did. Since Parks/Rec management's position was that coating the crumb rubber with an acrylic substance would mitigate any risks from its ingestion or inhalation, LBREPORT.com inquired at the public podium exactly what the acrylic coating material was (attempting to learn its chemical name.) When the Commission later inquired about this, Parks & Rec staff and a nearby technical consultant couldn't provide an immediate answer and said the information could be provided after the meeting.
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A key point in public testimony came when Leie Sualua, territory manager for Shaw Sports Turf, said his firm installs GeoFill/GeoTurf and in calm, persuasive podium testimony cited reasons for favoring the all-natural substance.
When the matter returned for Commission discussion, Commission VP Ben Goldberg (who had initially favored using acrylic coated crumb rubber) indicated he was now leaning toward the natural substance, despite the cost differential. .and ultimately made a motion for the natural infill material; Commissioner Sievers seconded. Commissioner Heggeness voiced concern over the cost differential and shorter material lifespan; Commission President Antonette agreed with Heggeness. The Goldberg-Sievers motion ultimately carried with the swing vote from Commissioner Morrison.
Commission president Antonette ran a smooth meeting, courteous to public testimony, allowing productive colloquy and Commission follow-up on audience questions.
Update: Following our initial publication of this story, we clarified that the Parks & Rec Commission action is to recommend to the City Manager the type of material to be used.
