The May 30 community Zoom meeting was the third and final installment in the SMD 02 series addressing artificial turf and natural grass playing fields. The two prior meetings, on safety and playability, took place on March 26 and April 9, respectively. In total, 15 synthetic turf industry executives and representatives, leading scientists, environmentalists, and natural grass practitioners participated. Some 300 Chevy Chase community members and other interested citizens attended. The presentations were fact-based, the discussions wide-ranging. The context was (and is) the planned installations of artificial turf by the District of Columbia government to renovate the ball field at Lafayette Elementary School and by Maret School for its multi-sport complex at the Episcopal Center for Children. Both have engendered questions, concerns, and strong opinions. The two projects would add roughly five acres of plastic grass to the more than five acres already on the ground at St. John’s College High School and the small soccer field at Blessed Sacrament. The series aimed to educate ANC 3/4G constituents on the relative merits of artificial turf and natural grass, including key health and environmental safety aspects, to enable residents to make more informed judgments.

May 30, 2024: Cultivating Natural Grass Playing Fields: Listening to the Experts: Are properly designed, constructed, and maintained natural grass playing fields – including through organic turf management – a viable, sustainable, and affordable alternative to artificial turf?

Watch recording here.

April 9, 2024: Artificial Turf vs Natural Grass Fields:
A Comparative Look at Design, Construction, Maintenance, Playability, and Cost.

Watch recording here.

March 26, 2024: Is Artificial Turf Safe for Our Kids and Our Environment?

Watch recording here.

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