🌱 PLASTIC GRASS:

WHAT FORT LAUDERDALE RESIDENTS

SHOULD KNOW!

October 10, 2026 | Residents for Resilience (R4R)

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At Residents for Resilience (R4R), we believe residents deserve to know what's being installed in our public parks and athletic fields — especially when questions arise about potential impacts on our health, our environment, and our waterways.

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On October 6, R4R founder Suzee Bailey addressed the Fort Lauderdale City Commission in her separate capacity as a member of the City's Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB), presenting the Board's concerns and recommendations regarding synthetic turf — commonly called plastic grass.

The concerns? Extreme heat, microplastics, chemical exposure, stormwater runoff, wildlife habitat, and potential impacts on our waterways.

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WHAT CONCERNS DID THE SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD IDENTIFY?

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The SAB identified three primary environmental concerns associated with synthetic turf:

💧 RUNOFF: Chemicals and microplastics can leach from synthetic turf into surrounding natural areas and waterways, potentially affecting water quality and aquatic life.

🦋 WILDLIFE: Synthetic turf interrupts wildlife corridors, eliminates access to natural soil, and contributes to habitat and food loss in our already heavily developed urban environment.

🌡️ HEAT: Synthetic turf absorbs and retains heat, reaching significantly higher surface temperatures than natural grass and contributing to the urban heat island effect. On hot days, it offers little relief from the heat.

 

WHEN ARTIFICIAL TURF GETS TOO HOT

 

During the October 6 Commission discussion, Suzee Bailey raised a recent NFL

incident involving extreme heat on synthetic turf.

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At the September 20 game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans

in Nashville, the artificial turf reportedly reached 157°F, compared with an

air temperature of approximately 95°F.

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News reports described Eagles guard Cam Jurgens having to replace cleats that

were reportedly melting from the heat, while players were seen having water

sprayed on their footwear to cool it down.

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Mayor Dean Trantalis acknowledged the incident during the discussion.

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If professional athletes are experiencing these conditions, what should we be

asking about the synthetic turf in our own parks and athletic fields — especially

here in South Florida?

See more below and Read the NFL heat report

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WHAT DID THE SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMEND?

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The SAB formally presented four recommendations for the City's consideration:

🌱 1. Provide informational signage addressing health concerns associated with synthetic turf.

🌱 2. Present a holistic review to the City Commission of the pros and cons of synthetic turf.

🌱 3. Review all available options before selecting synthetic turf for future installations.

🌱 4. Limit the expansion of synthetic turf installations on non-athletic fields.

 

The SAB also recognizes the City's challenges.

The Board acknowledged that synthetic turf can accommodate more intensive, year-round use than natural grass — an important consideration given the demand for athletic

fields and recreational programming.

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At the same time, the SAB believes the City Commission should consider the

potential health and environmental effects of synthetic turf when making these decisions.

 

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE CONCERNS

Following the SAB presentation, environmental chemist Susan Chapnick, M.S.,

former President and Principal Scientist of New Environmental Horizons, shared

her expertise and brought actual synthetic turf samples to demonstrate what's

beneath the artificial grass — including plastic blades, backing, shock pads, and infill.

She explained that different turf systems and infill materials can have different chemical compositions and environmental impacts.

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Of particular concern was the potential for stormwater runoff to carry substances from certain synthetic turf materials into surrounding waterways, where they may affect aquatic life.

Her presentation reinforced the importance of understanding the materials used in these systems — not simply how the finished fields look.

 

R4R'S VICE PRESIDENT SHARES HER CONCERNS

Tricia Halliday, Vice President of Residents for Resilience (R4R) and a longtime Fort Lauderdale resident, also addressed the Commission, speaking from her personal experience

as a mother and grandmother.

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She described seeing black particles on her grandchildren's feet and expressed

concern about children being burned on hot synthetic turf surfaces.  She urged the

Commission to take Susan Chapnick's information seriously, particularly when

considering the potential impacts on children and families using these fields.

 

WHAT DID CITY OFFICIALS SAY?

Mayor Dean Trantalis stated that natural grass is the City's preferred choice but explained that synthetic turf is sometimes used where natural grass cannot withstand heavy use.

He also expressed the City's intention to avoid potentially harmful components

when considering future synthetic turf installations.

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Commissioner Steve Glassman referred to an earlier presentation by EDSA

concerning Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, emphasizing newer synthetic turf products

incorporating organic or plant-based materials.

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He asked City staff to clarify what materials were being considered, how the City

evaluates natural grass versus synthetic turf, and what scientific information informs those decisions. He also noted that the SAB's recommendations had not received a unanimous vote.

 

Acting City Manager Chris Cooper discussed maintenance benefits, reduced use

of fertilizers and pesticides on synthetic turf areas, and newer products

incorporating plant-based materials or organic infill.

 

Assistant City Manager Quentin Pough discussed bringing potential product

options for the Fort Lauderdale Beach Park project before the

Sustainability Advisory Board and the Parks, Recreation and

Beaches Advisory Board for feedback prior to any

potential final Commission approval.

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We appreciate that the City Commission and staff are listening to residents'

concerns and exploring different options for synthetic turf. It's an encouraging

step, and we hope the conversation continues with a careful evaluation of the

potential health and environmental impacts of these products.

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Just as importantly, residents deserve to know which synthetic turf products

are already installed throughout our parks and athletic fields, where they're

being used, and what materials they contain.

 

HERE'S AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION:

🌱 Organic infill doesn't mean the entire synthetic turf system is organic,

plastic-free, or biodegradable!

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Some newer synthetic turf systems use plant-based or organic infill

instead of traditional rubber materials. Others may incorporate plant-derived

ingredients into synthetic components.

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But that doesn't necessarily make the artificial grass biodegradable,

plastic-free, or environmentally harmless.  Even when organic infill is

used, the grass blades, backing, and other components may

still contain synthetic plastics.

 

And while newer materials may address certain concerns associated with

older products, important questions remain about extreme heat,

microplastics, stormwater runoff, and potential environmental impacts.

 

The important question isn't simply whether a product is described

as “organic,” “plant-based,” or “eco-friendly.” It's what materials are actually

used in the entire system — and what their potential impacts may be.

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SO WHAT'S ACTUALLY INSTALLED THROUGHOUT OUR

CITY'S PARKS AND ATHLETIC FIELDS?

That's what Residents for Resilience wants to know.

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The Commission discussed newer synthetic turf products, but does

that reflect what's already installed throughout Fort Lauderdale?

 

Residents deserve answers to several important questions:

• Which specific synthetic turf products are currently installed, where are they located, and what materials do they contain?

• Are some locations still using older synthetic turf systems with different materials and infill?

• What are the potential impacts on public health, our environment, and our waterways?

• What information is being shared with families and young athletes using these fields?

 

R4R believes this information should be readily available to residents,

including when the City considers new installations or replacement projects.

 

We need to know what's already on the ground — not just what newer

products may be available.  Transparency matters. We can't properly

evaluate potential risks without knowing what's actually being used.

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ONE IMPORTANT SAB RECOMMENDATION RECEIVED NO SPECIFIC RESPONSE

 

The SAB's recommendation for informational warning signage

at synthetic turf fields was not specifically addressed

during the discussion.

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Regardless of what decisions the City ultimately makes about synthetic turf,

providing residents and families with information about potential health

concerns deserves further consideration.

 

After all, informed residents are better equipped to make

decisions for themselves and their families.

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📣 YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

While the October 6 presentation was made on behalf of the Sustainability Advisory Board,

this article reflects Residents for Resilience's commitment to public education,

transparency, and informed community participation.

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Whether you support synthetic turf or have concerns, we encourage you

to learn more, ask questions, and share your thoughts with City officials.

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After all, these are our parks, our neighborhoods, and our communities.

 

As we often say at R4R, “It's hard to care about what you don't know about.”

 

🎥 WANT TO HEAR THE ENTIRE DISCUSSION?

The Sustainability Advisory Board's presentation on synthetic turf

begins at approximately 48:20 in the October 6

Fort Lauderdale City Commission meeting recording.

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📩 WANT TO CONTACT YOUR CITY COMMISSIONERS?

Find their contact information here:

https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/Government/City-Commission

 

💧 Stay Informed. Stay Connected. Stay Resilient.

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Working together for healthier, safer, and more

resilient communities throughout South Florida.

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For more on Susan Chapnick