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From:Susan Hinton <br />To:GRP-City Council <br />Subject:Public Comment on 7.A. Final acceptance of the Mitchell & Fair Oaks Field Synthetic Turf Replacement Project <br />Date:Monday, April 13, 2026 2:30:34 PM <br />Attachments:Alternatives-to-Plastic-in-Public-Spaces_202604.pdf <br />Subject: Public Comment on 7.A. Final acceptance of the Mitchell & Fair Oaks Field <br />Synthetic Turf Replacement Project <br />Dear Honorable Redwood City Councilmembers, <br />There is a global plastic crisis that is deeply intertwined with climate change, and one might <br />wish to consider the advantages of replacing worn plastic and synthetic rubber on athletic <br />fields with tough, drought tolerant, sustainably managed grass and returning to cooler <br />surfacing for running tracks that border athletic playing fields. <br />Besides heat, possible infection from plastic turf burn, and hardening surfaces that develop <br />over time as plastic blades are shed from fields, disposing of worn plastic grass contributes to <br />our global plastics crisis. It can be difficult to comprehend the extent of a global pollutant, so I <br />invite you to watch this 3 minute CBS news video describing how NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab <br />has visualized Earth’s discarded plastic from space, creating a “global map" <br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe4pOi0YYWY <br />While not many athletic fields have returned to grass recently, there are several well known <br />past returns to grass. Today, these fields are considered gold standard for professional and <br />high-level collegiate play, with superior traction and reduced injury risks. Many universities <br />continue to prefer natural grass for its performance and player comfort. <br />Key Transition Examples and Timelines <br />Institution / Stadium Transition Action Approximate <br />Timing Perception/Reason <br />University of <br />Michigan Replaced turf with grass 1990s–2000s Preferred natural conditions; safety <br />concerns. <br />University of Iowa Replaced turf with grass 1990s–2000s Nostalgia and player safety. <br />Ohio State <br />University Replaced turf with grass 1990s–2000s Shift away from "hard" synthetic <br />surfaces. <br />Mile High Stadium Installed P.A.T.* (sand- <br />based)1974 Advanced drainage and playability. <br />Purdue University Installed P.A.T.* system 1974 "Suck the raindrops down" <br />technology. <br />* P.A.T. technology involved adding an active underground drainage system <br />Below I am also attaching an article from the Sustainability Ideas Bank, in San Mateo County <br />addressing alternatives to plastic in public spaces. <br />The Ideas Bank is just that - ideas for cities and other entities looking for sustainable <br />alternatives to current practices. <br />The hope is that when presented as a practical, doable and regular process, communities