Changes

==Citizen Uproar==

==Citizen Uproar==

A citizens group, Oak Parkers for Sanity in Our Parks, scheduled a meeting with the Executive Director of the park district, Jan Arnold, and addressed their concerns.  The citizen initiative led to articles in the [[Chicago Tribune]], and numerous letters to the editor in the local Oak Park press.  A rally was scheduled at Ridgeland Common and a resident began an online petition.

 

A citizens group, Oak Parkers for Sanity in Our Parks, organized by [[Oak Park]], Illinois, environmentalist [[Les Golden]], scheduled a meeting with the Executive Director of the park district, Jan Arnold, and addressed their concerns.  The citizen initiative led to articles in the [[Chicago Tribune]],<ref> http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-03-06/news/ct-met-oak-park-dog-park-20130307_1_dog-park-turf-field-larger-dog </ref><ref> http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-03-12/news/ct-tl-oak-park-dog-run-0314-20130312_1_dog-park-ridgeland-common-turf-field</ref> and numerous letters to the editor in the local Oak Park press.  A rally was scheduled at Ridgeland Common and a resident began an online petition.<ref> http://www.change.org/petitions/the-oak-park-park-board-please-reconsider-your-plans-to-remove-the-sled-hill-at-ridgeland?utm_source=guides&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=petition_created</ref>

 

 

 

 

 

Golden also shared the concerns  of the group with the so-called “Green Committee,” which had been formed in 2008 in response to citizen uproar over the devastation of Field playground, and the destruction of most of its trees and all of the bushes surrounding the fieldhouse.  The response of the Green Committee was to invite an artificial turf contractor to an emergency meeting with easily predicted results.

Letters concerning the toxicity of the matter of artificial turf continued through May, 2013, long after the destruction of Ridgeland Common had begun.<ref>http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/3-19-2013/Demolishing-the-notion-of-'commons'/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS</ref><ref>http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/5-14-2013/Children's-bodies-are-not-landfills/</ref><ref>http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/5-28-2013/Is-artificial-turf-a-wise-investment?/</ref>

Letters concerning the toxicity of the matter of artificial turf continued through May, 2013, long after the destruction of Ridgeland Common had begun.<ref>http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/3-19-2013/Demolishing-the-notion-of-'commons'/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS</ref><ref>http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/5-14-2013/Children's-bodies-are-not-landfills/</ref><ref>http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/5-28-2013/Is-artificial-turf-a-wise-investment?/</ref>

==Political Concerns==

==Political Concerns==

These are the concerns that were expressed to the Executive Director, Green Committee, and the local press.  

These are the concerns that were expressed to the Executive Director, Green Committee, and the local press.  

===Citizens Survey:  2%!===

===Citizens Survey:  2% !===

The Oak Park Park District website reports the results of the Leisure Vision/ETC Institute Fall 2010 Community Survey commissioned by the Park District of Oak Park.  Released in February 2011, the goal was to establish priorities for services and programs.  It showed that only 14% of Oak Park residents wanted "outdoor sports fields with synthetic turf," and that only 2% of Oak Park residents placed "outdoor sports fields with synthetic turf" among their top 4 priorities.

The Oak Park Park District website reports the results of the Leisure Vision/ETC Institute Fall 2010 Community Survey commissioned by the Park District of Oak Park.  Released in February 2011, the goal was to establish priorities for services and programs.  It showed that only 14% of Oak Park residents wanted "outdoor sports fields with synthetic turf," and that only 2% of Oak Park residents placed "outdoor sports fields with synthetic turf" among their top 4 priorities.

===Citizen Input Lacking: Timing===

===Citizen Input Lacking: Timing===

Options for Ridgeland Commons have been discussed for a decade, and most of the resident meetings were held years ago.

Options for Ridgeland Commons have been discussed for a decade, and most of the resident meetings were held years ago.

The proposed artificial turf and bulldozing of the sled/toboggan/exercise hill was only finalized in the last few weeks as shown by local press coverage -- Turf field recommended for Ridgeland Common - Wednesday Journal: www.oakpark.com/.../Turf-field-recommended-for-Ridgeland-Common/ Jan 29, 2013 ... But the turf field option at Ridgeland Common is still up in the air as the park district waits on a grant and bid numbers for that renovation project ...  

The proposed artificial turf and bulldozing of the sled/toboggan/exercise hill was only finalized in the last few weeks as shown by local press coverage<ref> http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/3-5-2013/Park-District-of-Oak-Park-plans-to-flatten-sled-hill,-move-dog-park-at-Ridgeland-Common/ </ref><ref>(2013) “Turf field recommended for Ridgeland Common”,  <i>Wednesday Journal</i>; www.oakpark.com/.../Turf-field-recommended-for-Ridgeland-Common/ Jan 29, 2013 ... </ref>:  “But the turf field option at Ridgeland Common is still up in the air as the park district waits on a grant and bid numbers for that renovation project ...”

===Citizen Input Lacking: Precedence===

===Citizen Input Lacking: Precedence===

===Many Users of the Hill: Fitness===

===Many Users of the Hill: Fitness===

Many people use the hill year-round, not just during organized sports season:

Many people use the hill year-round, not just during organized sports season:

 

Sledding, bobsleds, and toboggans <br>

Sledding, bobsleds, and toboggans </br>

Dog exercise<br>

Dog exercise</br>

Kids running down the slope with their kites to get added speed<br>

Kids running down the slope with their kites to get added speed</br>

Maternity health exercise<br>

Maternity health exercise</br>

Kids just running up, down, and around for exercise and joy<br>

Kids just running up, down, and around for exercise and joy</br>

Frisbee launching<br>

Frisbee launching</br>

Aerobics, marathon, and triathlete training (running and up down the hill) <br>

Aerobics, marathon, and triathlete training (running and up down the hill) </br>

===Many Users of the Hill:  Simple Joy===

===Many Users of the Hill:  Simple Joy===

Picnicking in the shade</br>

Picnicking in the shade<br>

Sunbathing away from the pool crowds</br>

Sunbathing away from the pool crowds<br>

July 4 fireworks viewing position for more than 100 people every year</br>

July 4 fireworks viewing position for more than 100 people every year<br>

"Wrigley Field bleacher" viewing of the sports</br>

"Wrigley Field bleacher" viewing of the sports<br>

Solitude for reading</br>

Solitude for reading<br>

Star gazing and meteor shower viewing (shielded to the south by the tracks) with or without telescopes </br>

Star gazing and meteor shower viewing (shielded to the south by the tracks) with or without telescopes <br>

===Bulldozing of Hill Leaves Poor Alternative===

===Bulldozing of Hill Leaves Poor Alternative===

==Environmental Consequences==

==Environmental Consequences==

===Environmental Toxicity===

===Environmental Toxicity===

Artificial turf is made of toxic material and, unlike natural turf, contributes to the urban heat island and global warming by reaching high temperatures in sunlight.   

[[Artificial turf]] is made of toxic material and, unlike natural turf, contributes to the urban heat island and global warming by reaching high temperatures in sunlight.   

See:  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_turf We believe the very concept of replacing natural grass and its living animals and ecology with plastic is an environmental disaster – and that feeling was shared by those against installing artificial turf at Lindberg Park.

 

We believe the very concept of replacing natural grass and its living animals and ecology with plastic is an environmental disaster – and that feeling was shared by those against installing artificial turf at Lindberg Park.

===Environment: The Global Warming Problem===

===Environment: The Global Warming Problem===

With poor thermal conductivity compared to natural grass, artificial grass does not  conduct the heat of the Sun downwards into the ground.  Instead, the plastic material reaches high temperatures, which then radiates large amounts of energy into the atmosphere.  A Stanford University engineering study has shown that urban heat islands, including buildings, roads, and artificial surfaces, contributes up to perhaps 5% to global warming.   

With poor thermal conductivity compared to natural grass, artificial grass does not  conduct the heat of the Sun downwards into the ground.  Instead, the plastic material reaches high temperatures, which then radiates large amounts of energy into the atmosphere.  A Stanford University engineering study has shown that urban heat islands, including buildings, roads, and artificial surfaces, contributes up to perhaps 5% to global warming.   

Government leaders must include such in their deliberations. Their decisions must be based not only on their relationship with their constituents but also with future consequences in mind.

Government leaders must include such in their deliberations. Their decisions must be based not only on their relationship with their constituents but also with future consequences in mind.

===Environment: Birds, Fish, & Oceans, Part 1===

===Environment: Birds, Fish, & Oceans, Part 1===

Artificial turf degrades by the blades of plastic breaking and splintering.  Unlike natural grass, these particles do not decay into soil and gas.  They remain in the grass.  The first result is ingestion by native birds.  Unable to digest the plastic, they die of starvation as the plastic pieces clog their stomach.   

Artificial turf degrades by the blades of plastic breaking and splintering.  Unlike natural grass, these particles do not decay into soil and gas.  They remain in the grass.  The first result is ingestion by native birds.  Unable to digest the plastic, they die of starvation as the plastic pieces clog their stomach.   

The material not eaten by birds gets blown away into the streets.  This becomes more and more severe as the artificial turf ages and the blades become shorter and shorter.  These, as other plastic garbage, gets washed into the sewers.  As it floats down the Des Plaines River, into the Illinois River, into the Mississippi River, and into the Louisiana Delta, some is ingested by fowl and fish.  These too die of starvation.  If the plastics have broken down into smaller and smaller polymers down to molecular size, this material becomes part of the animal itself, to eventually find itself into the human food chain.   

The material not eaten by birds gets blown away into the streets.  This becomes more and more severe as the artificial turf ages and the blades become shorter and shorter.  These, as other plastic garbage, gets washed into the sewers.  As it floats down the Des Plaines River, into the Illinois River, into the Mississippi River, and into the Louisiana Delta, some is ingested by fowl and fish.  These too die of starvation.  If the plastics have broken down into smaller and smaller polymers down to molecular size, this material becomes part of the animal itself, to eventually find itself into the human food chain.   

The material that does not get ingested ends up eventually in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the North Atlantic Garbage Patch, or the Indian Ocean Garbage Patch between one and ten years from breaking down of the artificial turf blades.

The material that does not get ingested ends up eventually in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the North Atlantic Garbage Patch, or the Indian Ocean Garbage Patch between one and ten years from breaking down of the artificial turf blades.

In the oceans, the artificial turf material continues to devastate the world ecosystems.  As the plastic flotsam photo-degrades into smaller and smaller pieces, it concentrates in the upper water column. As it disintegrates, the plastic ultimately becomes small enough to be ingested by plankton and other small aquatic organisms that reside near the ocean's surface. In this way, plastic may become concentrated in neuston and enters the human food chain in the oceans.

In the oceans, the artificial turf material continues to devastate the world ecosystems.  As the plastic flotsam photo-degrades into smaller and smaller pieces, it concentrates in the upper water column. As it disintegrates, the plastic ultimately becomes small enough to be ingested by plankton and other small aquatic organisms that reside near the ocean's surface. In this way, plastic may become concentrated in neuston and enters the human food chain in the oceans.

Some plastics decompose within a year of entering the water, leaching potentially toxic chemicals such as bisphenol A, PCBs, and derivatives of polystyrene, a major component of artificial turf. Some of these long-lasting plastics end up in the stomachs of marine birds and animals including turtles and their young.  As one example, of the 1.5 million albatrosses that inhabit Midway Island, nearly all are found to have plastic in their digestive system.  Of the approximately one-third of the chicks that die, many of them are due to being fed plastic from their parents.

Some plastics decompose within a year of entering the water, leaching potentially toxic chemicals such as bisphenol A, PCBs, and derivatives of polystyrene, a major component of artificial turf.  

 

Some of these long-lasting plastics end up in the stomachs of marine birds and animals including turtles and their young.  As one example, of the 1.5 million albatrosses that inhabit Midway Island, nearly all are found to have plastic in their digestive system.  Of the approximately one-third of the chicks that die, many of them are due to being fed plastic from their parents.

===Environment: Birds, Fish, & Oceans, Part 3===

===Environment: Birds, Fish, & Oceans, Part 3===

Marine plastics also facilitate the spread of invasive species that attach to floating plastic in one region and drift long distances to colonize other ecosystems.

Marine plastics also facilitate the spread of invasive species that attach to floating plastic in one region and drift long distances to colonize other ecosystems.

On the macroscopic level, as in the local river systems, the physical size of the plastic kills birds and turtles as the animals' digestion can not break down the plastic inside their stomachs.  To exacerbate this effect, the macroscopic plastic makes it much more difficult for animals to see and detect their normal sources of food.

On the macroscopic level, as in the local river systems, the physical size of the plastic kills birds and turtles as the animals' digestion can not break down the plastic inside their stomachs.   

 

To exacerbate this effect, the macroscopic plastic makes it much more difficult for animals to see and detect their normal sources of food.

Oceanographic and biological research has shown that this plastic marine debris affects at least 267 species worldwide.

Oceanographic and biological research has shown that this plastic marine debris affects at least 267 species worldwide.

===Environment: Birds, Fish, & Oceans, Part 4===

===Environment: Birds, Fish, & Oceans, Part 4===

From nearly every aspect -- animal kill, multiple modes of food chain poisoning, invasive species migration -- the use of artificial turf outdoors is an environmental disaster felt worldwide.  The turf used in Oak Park, unless it is literally vacuumed after ever use, will contribute to the devastation of the watershed from the DesPlaines River to the Louisiana estuary and into the world’s oceans.   

From nearly every aspect -- animal kill, multiple modes of food chain poisoning, invasive species migration -- the use of artificial turf outdoors is an environmental disaster felt worldwide.  The turf used in Oak Park, unless it is literally vacuumed after ever use, will contribute to the devastation of the watershed from the DesPlaines River to the Louisiana estuary and into the world’s oceans.   

The only means of mitigation is replacement of the turf every three or four years before the blades remain long enough to prevent the plastic from blowing into the streets.  Even before then, significant local bird kill will result.  

The only means of mitigation is replacement of the turf every three or four years before the blades remain long enough to prevent the plastic from blowing into the streets.  Even before then, significant local bird kill will result.  

===Trees and Bushes #1===

===Trees and Bushes #1===

The destruction of all the trees and bushes in the park except the one 50-inch elm close to Lake Street concerns us deeply.  This includes two on the hill, the dozen or so north of the ice rink, the large elm west of the rink, and the dozen or so bushes north of the rink.

The destruction of all the trees and bushes in the park except the one 50-inch elm close to Lake Street concerns us deeply.  This includes two on the hill, the dozen or so north of the ice rink, the large elm west of the rink, and the dozen or so bushes north of the rink.

As the Park District did at Field Park and as the village did at the Marion Street Mall, the bushes could be relocated to the high school, other parks, the library grounds, the branch libraries, or made available to homeowners.  Please consider reusing, rather than destroying and buying new bushes when these are healthy and would flourish in fresh soil.

As the Park District did at Field Park and as the village did at the Marion Street Mall, the bushes could be relocated to the high school, other parks, the library grounds, the branch libraries, or made available to homeowners.  Please consider reusing, rather than destroying and buying new bushes when these are healthy and would flourish in fresh soil.

===Trees and Bushes #2===

===Trees and Bushes #2===

Gro Horticulture, a respected firm skilled in tree transplanting, has performed this task  for numerous trees on Park District property.  For the trees in front of the ice rink, the cost of transplanting will partially offset the cost of cutting the trees down and purchasing new saplings.

Gro Horticulture, a respected firm skilled in tree transplanting, has performed this task  for numerous trees on Park District property.  For the trees in front of the ice rink, the cost of transplanting will partially offset the cost of cutting the trees down and purchasing new saplings.

Moreover, this transplanting would insure that mature trees would grace the area of Ridgeland Common rather than saplings which would take several generations to reach the stature of the existing trees.

Moreover, this transplanting would insure that mature trees would grace the area of Ridgeland Common rather than saplings which would take several generations to reach the stature of the existing trees.

===Cost===

===Cost===

The additional cost is a concern.  The Park District currently has a $20 million debt and liability (figure from tax bills).  Installing artificial turf will cost $3.7 million.

The additional cost is a concern.  The Park District currently has a $20 million debt and liability (figure from tax bills).  Installing artificial turf will cost $3.7 million.

Every eight years replacing the artificial turf will cost  more than $500,000, an annualized cost of more than $60,000.Hiring a maintenance man full time to care for the turf  will occur, which will add $50,000 to the budget  Although he will also care for the natural grass in the parks, we believe the proposed placing of the artificial turf is the major reason for this new position.  If that was not the case, we wonder why wasn't he hired in years past and why can't all the current grounds people continue to do whatever maintenance on the natural turf is needed?  The increase in total debt to $30 million will hurt the bond rating, meaning that future borrowing will cost the taxpayer more.  

Every eight years replacing the artificial turf will cost  more than $500,000, an annualized cost of more than $60,000.Hiring a maintenance man full time to care for the turf  will occur, which will add $50,000 to the budget  Although he will also care for the natural grass in the parks, we believe the proposed placing of the artificial turf is the major reason for this new position.  If that was not the case, we wonder why wasn't he hired in years past and why can't all the current grounds people continue to do whatever maintenance on the natural turf is needed?  The increase in total debt to $30 million will hurt the bond rating, meaning that future borrowing will cost the taxpayer more.  

We repeat:  The Park District’s own survey released in 2011 showed that only 14% of Oak Park residents wanted "outdoor sports fields with synthetic turf," and that only 2% of Oak Park residents placed "outdoor sports fields with synthetic turf" among their top 4 priorities.

We repeat:  The Park District’s own survey released in 2011 showed that only 14% of Oak Park residents wanted "outdoor sports fields with synthetic turf," and that only 2% of Oak Park residents placed "outdoor sports fields with synthetic turf" among their top 4 priorities.

==References==

==References==