QUESTION FAKE GRASS in LGUSD.

The downsides of using artificial turf outweigh the upsides. Image from aprilsmith.org . Below is a pared down list of downsides to using artificial turf, focused on concerns most relevant to areas of campus beyond the fields.  This includes spaces designed to be used as "outdoor classrooms" where it's envisioned the community's 5-11 year old students will gather, eat, and play during class time, recess, and lunch, such as outdoor corridors and courtyards, including a courtyard used daily by kindergarteners.   To review the downsides to using artificial turf on the play fields, see our original flyer . Question whether motives for installing artificial turf outweigh these compelling reasons to dismiss artificial turf, especially given that alternatives are within reach... HEAT - Artificial turf, even with plant-based infill, gets HOT.  For example, on a sunny, 80 degree day, it might be 110 degrees on artificial turf with cork infill.  Last schoolyear, we had 77 day

The above image is from  a non-local mom's Twitter post . However, a Los Gatos mom we spoke to  shared that her son experienced burns  on t he Los Gatos High School synthetic turf field  . A re you familiar with heat issues that come with artificial turf?  Artificial turf, even with plant-based infill, gets HOT.  In the 2020-2021 schoolyear, Los Gatos had 77 days above 80 degrees.   Based on data we collected from a local park, on a sunny, 80-degree Fahrenheit day, artificial turf with cork infill  was 110 degrees ! And it could actually get hotter than that. Check out these datapoints captured by others .   How would you like your 6-year-old playing soccer on a field that's 125 degrees  when the air temperature was only 84 degrees? That was the experience of the 6-year-olds in Rockwood School District. And how about when it's not such a mild day? On a 97-degree Fahrenheit day, an artificial turf field with plant-based infill could run 140 degrees! Need help understan

Image from report by EWG.org " PFAS Contamination of Drinking Water Far More Prevalent Than Previously Reported " Wind and rain blow or wash pollutants off hard surfaces like streets, parking lots, sidewalks, and artificial turf systems into storm drains that flow untreated directly into our creeks and waterways. In LGUSD's proposed artificial turf "fields", water will rinse the chemicals off the weathered and worn plastic blades of "grass" as well as off the perforated carpet backing and perforated shockpad beneath. The chemicals will be rinsed into drainage pipes that flow directly to storm drains . Why wouldn't PFAS forever chemicals, lead, infill, plastic grass blades, microplastics, cleaning chemicals, and weedkillers be carried by rainwater and sprinkler runoff from local artificial turf systems into the surrounding storm drains that flow into Los Gatos Creek? Even David Teter acknowledged at our Town Hall meeting the greater volume

John Oliver explains why Teflon and other PFAS are bad, everywhere, and what to do about it. PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, is what makes Teflon non stick, clothing water proof, food containers resist soaking, cosmetics stay on your face etc.... Also, it is used to manufacture artificial grass.  This article has John Oliver's story (please watch the whole thing). He has some major points in there, including that this industry is and has been getting away with murder for years (at least since the '50's). There is also a link to a map where you can find your water company and see what their latest recording is of PFAS chemicals in the water your drink. There is an effort underway right now to ban PFAS as a class because they ban one and companies just switch to another one that isn't banned. 

It's December 5th.  Happy World Soil Day ! "Did you know Soil captures more carbon than trees!"  asks Candide Soil affects the climate that makes our planet habitable.  Soil is an essential foundation for all life on Earth! L et's work together to protect and restore Los Gatos soil health on our private and public properties, and in doing so, help slow changes to our climate and bolster our town's resilience to climate-induced weather extremes. Artificial turf installations in Los Gatos desertify our soils.   Desertification of soil is the permanent degradation of previously fertile land .   Converting a living landscape to artificial turf begins with  soil excavation.  The ground beneath is then compacted and covered with crushed rock similar to how construction of roads and parking lots begin. On top of that is layered other non-absorbent lifeless materials like, in some cases, a manufactured foam shockpad and finally rugs of green-colored plastic.  Life under a

Image from  The Mercury News https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/11/14/sierra-club-opposes-artificial-turf-at-los-gatos-schools/ Highlights of the article: There is acknowledgment that environmental concerns of artificial turf may OUTWEIGH the drought mitigation it provides . The local Sierra Club opposes LGUSD's proposed installations of artificial turf.  It's concerned about: kids overheating kids getting burned PFAS "forever" chemicals toxicity pollution of Los Gatos Creek and other bodies of water use of fossil fuels to create plastic grass potential micro-plastic pollution potential gas pollution