Gov. Phil Murphy announced a proposed investment of nearly $100 million on community recreation projects through the Green Acres and Urban Parks programs. Sadly, the project total includes roughly $10 million in funding for artificial turf playing fields in communities around the state. Synthetic turf fields have a large greenhouse gas footprint due to their fossil fuel ingredients and the methane greenhouse gas emissions as they deteriorate. Additionally, synthetic turf releases toxic ethylene emissions as it breaks down. Testing has also revealed the presence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), aka “forever chemicals,” in these products.
The funding includes replacement or new installation of synthetic turf fields in Mount Holly, Burlington Township, Egg Harbor, Bloomfield, Harrison, West Windsor, Branch Brook Park and Jesse Allen Park in Newark.
“Green Acres money shouldn’t be spent on artificial turf fields. PFAS chemicals build up in the environment and are very harmful for our health, especially to children. The ‘heat island’ effect on turf fields is especially dangerous on clear warm days where temperatures on these synthetic fields surpass 120 degrees Fahrenheit. New Jersey needs to invest in natural play surfaces on sports fields and playgrounds instead. Natural turf fields reduce stormwater runoff, are cooler, safer, and overall more sustainable than synthetic turf,” said Taylor McFarland, conservation program manager for the NJ Chapter of the Sierra Club.