Welcome
STOP COVERING OUR PARKS WITH TOXIC PLASTIC!
THIS IS A CRYING CRIME AGAINST OUR ENVIRONMENT
ALL SPECIES ARE CONNECTED
a warning from spain
PLASTIC IS ENTERING OUR SEAFOOD
Dr. William P. de Haan from the Faculty of Earth and Ocean Sciences, at the University of Barcelona, Spain, in a Collaborative for Health & Environment study dated September 18, 2024 warns us of the dangerous levels of microplastic found in ocean and rivers. As the image clearly shows about 15% is coming from filaments of artificial turfs, clearly identifiable by the green color. These plastics end up inside the seafood we eat.
(Click on the picture to access the full study) We ran a simple experiment: as the high tide comes in, reverse currents are so strong there that it took all of four minutes to follow a plastic bottle taken from the Hudson, right at the mouth of the Harlem river, to where it went out of sight around the Henry Hudson Bridge, about halfway to the salt marsh, or roughly a third of the full trip from the toxic turf to the delicate marsh. In other words, it might take at most 15 minutes for the currents to bring microplastic pollutants from the turf to the marsh, whenever the high tide is coming in.
A WONDERFUL ECOSYSTEM IN DANGER
Dyckman Fields
Dyckman Fields is part of the last natural forest in New York City, an intrinsic part of a very sophisticated ecological environment. Located in the path of the north eastern birds migration, thousands of birds stop here during their migration to restore and replenish. Among others are Canada Geese, Bald Eagles, Turkey Vultures, etc. The Bald Eagle Protection Act has redefined what it means to disturb an eagle, to include anything that could, “bother a bald or golden eagle to the degree that causes, or is likely to cause, based on the best scientific information available, 1) injury to an eagle, 2) a decrease in its productivity, by substances interfering with normal breeding….” A primary concern with microplastics is that they cause endocrine system disruption. So, knowingly allowing eagles to ingest microplastics should be interpreted as an illegal act of disturbing eagles. And this right by the location where the Parks Department brought in four eagles to live, back in 2002.
SYNTHETIC GRASS IS COSTLY TO MANTAIN
NOT CHEAPER THAN GRASS
FLOOD DAMAGES TO SYNTHETIC GRASS
FLOOD DAMAGES TO SYNTHETIC GRASS
Synthetic grass has been touted to be cheaper than real grass to maintain. Here is the reality according to Cornell University Sports Field Management:
Some basic practices must be made on a routine basis to protect your investment including:
- Measuring field hardness periodically to ensure the level of hardness is lower than the 200 Gmax level. At least once a year.
- Sweeping and dragging to keep the carpet fibers in an upright position. Once a week or once a month depending on use.
- Loosening and redistributing of infill (to improve footing, reduce static electricity and improve the look of the field).
- Groom fields before each game.
- Checking and replenishing the infill level especially in high use areas. The infill creates the padding and shock-absorption for the synthetic turf system and restores the field’s resiliency. At least once a year.
- Using a vacuum or leaf blower to remove debris and all organic materials.
- Cleaning with special solvents and cleansers with difficult to remove items. After each game.
- Treating with anti-microbial products to remove bacterial growth. Weekly to monthly.
- Troubleshooting for common problems and minor repairs, such as seam repair. Frequently.
- Removing snow during winter months.
FLOOD DAMAGES TO SYNTHETIC GRASS
FLOOD DAMAGES TO SYNTHETIC GRASS
FLOOD DAMAGES TO SYNTHETIC GRASS
Dyckman fields is located in a floodplain, which means subject to flood.
Synthetic grass can suffer various damages when exposed to floodwaters. Here are some potential issues:
- Waterlogging: Prolonged flooding can cause water to accumulate on the surface, leading to waterlogging. This can cause the synthetic grass to become heavy, leading to settlement or unevenness.
- Compacted soil: Floodwaters can compact the underlying soil, reducing its ability to drain properly and potentially causing long-term damage to the synthetic turf’s foundation.
- Debris and contamination: Floodwaters can carry debris, pollutants, and contaminants, which can damage the synthetic grass fibers, compromise its structure, and pose health risks to humans and pets.
- Extensive damage to entire field: Potential for entire systems to be lifted and wrinkled by fast-moving floodwaters
- Rebuilding and cleanup: In severe cases, flooded synthetic grass fields may require complete re-builds or extensive cleanup projects
SYNTHETIC GRASS CANNOT BE RECYCLED
THE SAD REALITY
WE ARE TOLD LIES
WE ARE TOLD LIES
Synthetic fields have a lifespan of about 8 to 10 years, depending on usage and maintenance. After that they need to be replaced, but they cannot be recycled, so they often end up being disposed by means of illegal dumping
WE ARE TOLD LIES
WE ARE TOLD LIES
WE ARE TOLD LIES
From The Philadelphia Enquirer: 'Forever Fields: How Pennsylvania became a dumping field for discarded artificial turf'. Danish company Re-Match secured state incentives to open a recycling site in 2022. It hasn't happened. Meanwhile thousands of rolls of fake grass are piled up on farms
Plastic is not safe for the environment, it is toxic!
SAVE INWOOD PARK, SIGN THE PETITION
Inwood fields are a natural habitat for hundreds of species, insects, bees, birds (including bald eagles) rabbits, squirrels, racoons, skunks, and deer. Chemical runoff from plastic turf will contaminate adjacent waters. Wildlife cannot exist in conjunction with artificial turf, a huge habitat will be lost forever!
ARTIFICIAL GRASS IS THE WRONG CHOICE!
Here are some of the reasons why:
- The cost of initial lay out is much more expensive than grass.
- It requires constant maintenance to keep it clean and hygienic.
- Its life span is 8-10 years in optimal conditions. Grass is forever.
- It cannot be recycled, so it ends up in land fill or incinerated.
- Expensive to replace
- In the summer it can reach 180-200 degrees
Contact Us
Get involved, help us save Inwood Park
We are a very small group of concerned citizens, in love with our park, and trying to preserve it from needless pollution! Please join us in this endeavor, all skills are welcomed.
saveinwoodpark@gmail.com
