Howard County's FY 2016 proposed budget has set aside a large sum to install synthetic turf in six different locations within the county, including Centennial Park and three high schools. Artificial turf has a reputation for injuring athletes; the material also contains dozens of toxic chemicals, and may even be linked to cases of non-Hodgkins lymphoma in teens with high exposure to the turf. Because of the potential risk, both the Los Angeles Public School System and the New York City Department of Parks have stopped installing synthetic turf.
On top of that, grass fields with the right maintenance programs can actually be cheaper than the imitation.
There will be a hearing open to the public on May 12, 2015 at 7:00 pm in the Banneker Room of the Howard Building (3430 Court House Dr #100, Ellicott City, MD 21043). Sign up to speak or go online to submit testimony. Then stand with us at the hearing to save our green playing fields.