100 signatures reached
To: San Francisco Supervisors, SF Recreation and Parks Department & The Giants
Stop the Plastic Takeover of Our Parks! Tell the city we want natural grass not plastic turf!
We invite you to join Keep Crocker Real in calling for an immediate moratorium on the installation of artificial turf in the City and County of San Francisco.
The use of synthetic or artificial turf on playing fields presents a multitude of public health, environmental and climate concerns. Synthetic turf is a petrochemical product made from plastic fibers typically composed of polypropylene or polyethylene, plastic backing, supporting layers and infill. These components have been found to contain toxic chemicals including phthalates, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and bisphenols. In addition to direct exposure to chemicals when using the field, all of these chemicals—including PFAS which are persistent and mobile in the environment and human body—could potentially contaminate groundwater supplies via stormwater runoff.
Why is this important?
- Pollution throughout life cycle: Artificial turf is made from fossil fuels and pollutes at every stage—from extraction to disposal. Most fields end up in landfills or incinerators within a decade, contradicting Zero Waste goals. Chemical recycling remains unrealistic.
- PFAS & Microplastic Contamination: The San Francisco Estuary Institute found artificial turf contributes PFAS and microplastic pollution to the Bay, threatening ecosystems and public health.
- Heat & Flooding Impacts: Turf surfaces significantly increase local temperatures and, because they are impermeable, worsen neighborhood flooding and reduce groundwater recharge.
- Health & Safety Risks: Turf increases the risk of burns, ACL injuries, and chemical exposure. Health experts, including Mount Sinai’s Children’s Environmental Health Center, recommend a moratorium.
- Environmental Justice: The Southeast side already faces disproportionate pollution and higher asthma rates. Adding turf increases microplastic and chemical dust in overburdened neighborhoods.
- Loss of Soil & Wildlife Habitat: Turf kills soil life and removes habitat and foraging space for urban wildlife, sending the message that convenience outweighs living ecosystems.
- Climate Contradiction: Turf manufacturing and disposal produce greenhouse gases, undermining the City’s Climate Action Plan.
We call on the City and County of San Francisco to:
- Enact a moratorium on all new artificial turf installations until independent analysis and water testing is performed.
- Require transparency from RPD about its relationship with turf contractors, chemical testers and suppliers such as FieldTurf, owned by the French multinational Tarkett Group.
- Commit to a revised, all-natural grass plan for the Crocker Amazon Park renovation.
California SB 676 allows cities and counties to ban artificial turf, as the city of Millbrae has done. Cities such as Boston and the State of New York have already taken responsible action by implementing artificial turf moratoriums. San Francisco—known for banning plastic bags and straws—should lead once again by rejecting plastic fields that each represent up to 40,000 pounds of plastic, equivalent to one million plastic bottles.