We request that the Maplewood Township Committee stop the process of planning an artificial turf field in DeHart Park until the Hilton Neighborhood and specifically DeHart's neighboring residents have been consulted and its open space needs identified and funded by the township where appropriate. We also request the process of planning an artificial turf field stop until the EPA finishes its report on the toxicity of artificial turf fields, which is part 2 of a two-part report. Part 1 of this report confirmed toxins are present in the material. Many of the Hilton Neighborhood residents are not aware that an artificial turf field is being proposed to replace the organic natural grass field that is currently in place.

Many of us are concerned that the artificial field agenda, set by private interest groups, is not following proper procedure for major developments in the township and is being pushed through without public notice or input.

We are very concerned with the racial and socio-economic inequity of this proposal.

We are also concerned about the costs involved with the maintenance and replacement of an artificial turf field as it wears which will cost taxpayers much more than maintaining a natural grass field. If a future Township Committee decides to reverse this decision after the EPA finds artificial fields toxic, there will be a substantial cost to remediate the site to rebuild a natural grass field. In addition to these concerns, the proposed vendor, FieldTurf, is currently being investigated for fraud, knowingly selling defective turf fields as well as not honoring the warranties. The risk for Maplewood to invest in a defective field, and costs to then file a suit, is too great. The impact of rising taxes on affordability is especially acute for low and moderate income residents. Local taxpayers are already on the hook for $3.3 million in new debt for artificial turf in the SOMSD at the urging of these same municipal leaders. Adding another $2 million under these circumstances, and with the dispossession of community natural land, seems like an additional spur to the displacement of people for whom housing costs are a monthly challenge and stress.

We are also concerned with the significant increase in injuries sustained by youth playing on artificial turf (one study shows 68% increase of injury on artificial turf fields) as well as conditions becoming dangerously hot possibly leading to exertional heat illness. Many organizations, including the NJEA are opposed to artificial turf installations for children. There has not been enough conclusive evidence that the new artificial turf technology is NOT toxic to our children, although we do know degrading plastics with phthalates are a known endocrine disruptor. Phthalates are banned in the production of children's toys and other childcare products and are additives in the artificial field components.

We are also concerned about the increased heat island effect that will raise the temperature in the area and increase utility bills. Currently, DeHart is our only cool space. It is currently our only GREEN space. The natural grass field is currently being used by all residents- not just sports teams- residents who need green space more than any others in Maplewood. We are concerned about our resident youth who may not be able to afford the fees of these private teams and will therefore be crowded out of using the proposed field as its use by other sports teams increases.

We are concerned that we will lose essential green space. The Hilton neighborhood is much more densely populated and our yards are smaller. Many of the residents live in apartments and have no green space other than that at DeHart Park. All ages require green space, most notably youth and seniors. Green space is important to our health, including our mental health, and is also important to the health of our ecology and resident wildlife.

We are concerned about the increased stormwater runoff from this field taxing our local infrastructure as well as bringing toxins and degrading plastics into our waterways. There is evidence that as the artificial turf field breaks down, it contributes pollutants to our waterways. The runoff also contains high levels of zinc which are toxic to most aquatic life. Governor Murphy has made it a mission to reduce the incredible amount of plastics polluting NJ waterways. Replacing a natural grass field with plastic turf is contrary to this statewide mission to curb this immense pollution problem.

We are concerned about the recyclability of synthetic turf fields. While assurances are made by vendors of the fields, little evidence suggests that they are actually being recycled. We are very concerned about further overloading our landfills. Installing over a hundred TONS of plastic in our park without a concrete plan for its inevitable removal is not only irresponsible, it is tragically shortsighted.

Any one of these compelling reasons would be enough to take a pause in the planning of this expensive endeavor: the neighborhood impact/social justice, the bad process, the selection of a vendor under investigation, the environmental impact, the health and safety concerns. Together they cry loudly to a HALT in the rush to propose an artificial turf field in DeHart.