Artificial Turf Wars

Approximately 12.18 acres at Trinity College may be disturbed to make changes to its athletic fields. While 0.18 acres is expected to be impervious, that does not mean such a small segment of the space will be natural.

According to the Storm Water Management Report, revised in February 2015 from a 2011 document, a “large reservoir of highly porous base stone underneath the new artificial turf field (would provide) significant detention storage of rainfall and promotes infiltration to the underlying soils, thus reducing the volume available for surface runoff.”

The report states that the installation of a synthetic turf soccer field would not result in an increase of runoff. To prove this, dozens and dozens of pages of tables and graphs — impervious to the average person — have been provided.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health denies that artificial turf definitely poses health hazards. The CT DPH states it “finds no scientific support for a finding of elevated cancer risk from inhalation or ingestion of chemicals derived from recycled tires used on artificial turf fields.”

While the CT DPH has weighed in on how carcinogenic artificial turf may be, it did not comment on other health concerns in its letter. A number of studies and news articles have reported on various other issues, from concerns about heat to infection. In a report linked to from within the letter, the CT DPH does acknowledge the increased risk of dehydration.

The proposal going before the Planning & Zoning Commission, likely to be discussed on April 28th, includes switching baseball, softball, and soccer fields from natural grass to synthetic turf. The plans also involve reorienting the fields and improving drainage. It is going before the PZC because the plans also call for changes to structures: addition of bleachers, dugouts, a press box, lights, and fencing to the baseball field; addition of dugouts and fencing to the softball field; and, addition of bleachers, press box, lighting, and fencing to the soccer field.

Associated documents can be accessed below:

Grading and Drainage_150213

14201 Stormwater Report-compiled 150217

Circular Ltr 2015-02 Connecticut Reaffirms Safety of Artificial Turf

Trinity Athletic Fields Site Plan

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