Subject: Opposition to Artificial Turf for Crocker Amazon Ball Field Renovation
To: recpark.commission@sfgov.org
Cc: Chyanne.Chen@sfgov.org, dan.mauer@sfgov.org, a.john-baptiste@sfgov.org
Bcc: hello@keepcrockerreal.com

Dear Commissioners,

I'm writing to urge you to revise and substantially improve the proposed renovation plan for Crocker Amazon Park.

Crocker Amazon is a city treasure, enjoyed by generations of San Franciscans. Please do not allow the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department to cut down over 100 mature trees and convert natural grass meadows into a fenced-in, 20-acre artificial turf baseball complex. Artificial turf is petroleum-based, sheds microplastics, and has been associated with higher rates of ACL and Achilles injuries compared to well-maintained natural grass. Converting this shared, multi-generational and multi-ethnic public space into a specialized facility serving a narrow user group would fundamentally change the character of the park and limit access for many current users.

Organically managed natural grass fields do not carry the same environmental justice burdens as plastic turf. Rec & Park has already concentrated approximately 85% of its synthetic turf installations in neighborhoods with the highest asthma rates and a documented history of racial and environmental inequities. As currently proposed, this project would increase that concentration to roughly 90% of the City's total artificial turf acreage in historically disenfranchised communities.

We can and must do better. Investing in high-quality, organically managed natural grass fields, similar to the improvements made at West Sunset Playground, would preserve trees, avoid unnecessary plastic pollution, and maintain a welcoming, multi-use park for residents of all ages.

I ask that you prioritize a renovation plan that protects public health, advances environmental justice, preserves mature trees, and keeps Crocker Amazon a park for everyone, young and old.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Subject: Opposition to Artificial Turf for Crocker Amazon Ball Field Renovation
To: recpark.commission@sfgov.org
Cc: Chyanne.Chen@sfgov.org, dan.mauer@sfgov.org, a.john-baptiste@sfgov.org
Bcc: hello@keepcrockerreal.com

Dear Commissioners,

I am writing to urge you to protect Crocker Amazon Park from a proposal that would replace its natural open space with a fenced-in artificial turf sports complex.

The plan proposed by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department in partnership with the San Francisco Giants and team owner/Trump donor Charles B. Johnson is being framed as a "gift." However, many neighbors did not ask for this project and do not support paving over meadows, cutting down mature trees, and fencing off large portions of a beloved community park.

Artificial turf also raises serious concerns. Synthetic fields are associated with higher surface temperatures, increased injury rates compared to well-maintained natural grass, and exposure to toxins like PFAS and microplastics. It's particularly troubling that the majority of artificial turf installations have been clustered in neighborhoods already burdened by asthma and environmental justice challenges.

I strongly support renovating Crocker Amazon Park, but doing so the right way:

- Yes to meaningful community input.
- Yes to natural grass fields and open green space.
- Yes to preserving mature trees and the park's character.
- Yes to space for seniors, families, cricket players, dog walkers, and youth sports alike.
- No to expanding toxic artificial turf.
- No to increased traffic, noise, and late-nightly bright field lighting.
- No to privatization and fencing that limits access.
- No to cutting down the majority of existing trees.

Please stand with neighborhood residents and protect this city treasure. Invest in improvements that enhance public health, environmental justice, and shared access, not in plastic infrastructure that narrows and intensifies use.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Comment at a Commission Meeting

Showing up to be seen and heard at City meetings is a very powerful way to get the attention of the decision makers in power. Members of the public are allowed two minutes to make a statement about anything in the purview of the Commission. Always confirm the date and time on the Commission's web page -- sometimes they are rescheduled.

Recreations & Parks Commission
• Third Thursday of every month at City Hall, Room 416 at 10:00am.
This commission must approve the Crocker Amazon Renovation Project. We must convince them to demand revisions that include the entire community in the planning process.
Rec Park Commission website
Upcoming meetings: March 19, April 16, May 21, June 18 at 10:00am.

Public Utilities Commission (PUC Commission)
• Second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at City Hall, Room 400 at 1:30pm.
The PUC is responsible for the safety of our water — the water we drink, the wastewater we dump into the ocean and Bay, and the toxic runoff from plastic grass fields. They are not doing enough to protect our water. Our drinking was has groundwater from under the west side of the City in it. Rain from RPD's plastic fields at Beach Chalet, Minnie & Lovie Ward and South Sunset is not permitted to drain into the ground because they have found toxins in it that must stay out of our drinking water. This means that all of the fields are releasing toxins, and the Crocker Amazon baseball complex will be the worst of them all.
The PUC must intervene to force Rec Park to install only real grass at all parks. They can make a difference at Crocker Amazon because they own that land.
PUC Commission website
Upcoming meetings: March 10, March 24, April 14, April 28 at 1:30pm.

Historic Preservation Commission
• First and third Wednesday of the month at 12:30pm, City Hall, Room 400
Historic Preservation Commission website
Upcoming meetings: March 4, March 18, April 1, April 15 at 12:30pm.