The Parks Advisory Board met on May 6, 2014. There were three residents who spoke against the artificial turf at Middle and Wildcat Fields. President Hugh Beal changed the order of the agenda so that new business, specifically artificial turf at Middle and Wildcat Fields, could be discussed immediately after Citizen Comments.
During the meeting, the Parks Advisory Board decided to draft a letter to the Commission to express concerns related to the pending field turf project on Cedar Blvd.
The video has been uploaded on the municipal website and may be viewed here. The letter is read at the 01:16:28. Here it is in written form:
The Parks Advisory Board is writing the commissioners to express concerns related to the pending field-turf project being pursued by Mt. Lebanon on Cedar Boulevard.
Although athletic fields are not strictly under the purview of the Parks Advisory Board, we are concerned about potential negative impacts of this project on nearby parks and recreation areas, and the nuisances presented to adjacent recreational open space. These concerns have also been voiced by citizens who have presented at PAB and Commission meetings.
Specifically, the PAB is concerned about:
1. The use of crumb-rubber infill, which contains hazardous materials, including heavy metals such as lead, zinc and chromium. In addition, gases that are emitted by the decomposing rubber infill are known to aggravate respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD. This will prevent vulnerable residents from accessing these fields and nearby park space.
2. The potential to increase storm water runoff due to the impervious cover used in the construction of this field. The resulting storm water may overwhelm the downstream Robb Hollow Park area and exacerbate Cedar Boulevard flooding events, further disturbing Cedar Boulevard residents. In addition, this storm water may carry with it the infill (and hazardous materials) and biocides/chemicals used to maintain the fields.
3. Artificial-turf fields are known heat islands, which may have spillover effects on other adjacent park and recreational areas, including the tennis facility and swimming pool area.
Therefore, the PAB advises that:Thank you, Parks Advisory Board for reviewing your mission statement, for advocating for our parks, for listening to residents, and for protecting our precious resources.
1. The municipality should request that entities bidding on this project be asked to address these concerns directly.
2. The municipality should reconsider the use of crumb-rubber infill and ensure that the fields will not exacerbate stormwater problems in the Robb Hollow watershed area.