The city has planned and budgeted to install a new synthetic turf field on Albemarle, but it’s at risk of not happening – despite being approved by the mayor, the Newton City Council, Newton Parks & Rec Commission, Newton Public Schools, and more.

Why? A small group of people, some of whom may not be Newton residents or field users, are raising concerns about synthetic turf, some of which are questionable. The final approving body, Newton Conservation Commission, is reviewing their concerns in depth and we think they should also hear from the Newton community field users at large.

The Friends of Albemarle board is confident that placing a synthetic turf on the north end of the field complex, which is the most heavily-used playing field in all of Newton, is a good move, because:

• It will allow for 2 turf fields on the North side, just like there are 2 on the South side;
• It will be the only community-accessible synthetic turf;
• It will allow for people to pursue outdoor recreation even when the weather isn’t dry.

If you agree, your voice is needed. Please review the below and share widely.

Join **TWO** Upcoming Conservation Commission Public hearings:

8/1 and 8/22 – please attend these meetings or ensure representation is present from your group:
All meeting info: https://www.newtonma.gov/government/planning/conservation-office/meeting-info-documents
Aug 1 document: https://www.newtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/121309/638569015656570000

Email by 8/1
Please consider emailing the Newton Conservation Commission via Chief Environmental Planner Jennifer Steel at: jsteel@newtonma.gov
and please copy Newton Open Space Director Luis Perez Demorizi for awareness: lpdemorizi@newtonma.gov

Feel free to write your own message, and/or draw from the below Key Points:

1. The City Is Providing Mitigation

It’s important that we have a Conservation Commission to provide valuable ecological balance and mitigation for the Albemarle project. Fortunately, the city is providing that balance by mitigating well in excess of the regulations. Riverfront Area mitigation is being provided at a slightly larger than the required 2:1 ratio. Mitigation is closer to 2.4:1. This equals 42,080 square feet (almost 1 acre!) of native plantings and stormwater improvements. The mitigation area will re-naturalize the brook’s edge and provide increased ecological value/habitat formation. The proposed improvements to the brook exceed regulatory requirements for the park project and provide critical nutrient load reductions into the Charles River.

2. The Conservation Commission Already Approved Two Similar Projects

Both Fessenden and Daly Fields were approved by ConCom to have synthetic turf within the Riverfront areas. Albemarle is a public playing field that is available to the community. Additionally, many precedents exist of turf fields being permitted and installed near or within Riverfront areas. UMass Lowell has turf fields within the Merrimack riverfront. Wellesley HS has a turf field within Fuller Brook riverfront. Harvard and MIT both have turf fields for their institutions near the Charles River. Boston College and Lasell College, both private institutions, have installed turf in Newton. There are also countless other communities who have managed to install turf near wetlands and other resource areas.

3. Please Focus on Riverfront and Wetlands Protection Acts

We’re asking that the Conservation Commission’s third party peer reviewer remain focused on the Wetlands Protections Act and the Riverfront Protections Act. Mitigation guidelines exist for a reason. Mitigation guidelines are being met and exceeded! This park and its upcoming improvements will provide a whole host of public benefits. It will also include lots of wildlife benefits that are currently not present at the park and its surrounding area.

4. Naturalized Cheesecake Brook Will Green and Modernize North Newton

Albemarle’s redesign will have great features and the stormwater filtration that is being provided as a part of synthetic turf installation will actually be a benefit to the area rather than a detriment. A naturalized Cheesecake Brook will provide more vegetation, appeal and go a long way in greening and modernizing the north side of Newton. The city is providing opportunities for critical habitat in this part of the city, where these resources are often limited. The project is also going to increase stormwater runoff capacity to help reduce flooding and improve stormwater management upstream from the Charles River.

Additional points to consider:
5. Environmental Science Claims Are Questionable
How can we claim that the use of fertilizer and heavy irrigation to maintain an unnatural and chemically-treated lawn is more environmentally friendly than the use of synthetic turf with thoughtful mitigation? Turf is meeting many of the city’s goals by reducing use of water, reducing use of fertilizer and other chemicals to treat fields with such heavy use, reducing frequent mowing, and extending play significantly throughout the year. Grass fields can compact overtime with use. A compacted play surface poses safety risks for athletes and increases opportunity for erosion while limiting infiltration.

6. PFAs Are In Everything
PFAs are in our take-out containers, could be in the natural grass areas, and in the rain. If our community is picking and choosing where to target PFAs, does it need to start with a recreational playspace that gets residents out into the fresh air and cuts down on the water we use? Could it start elsewhere? It’s also important to note that the turf materials have been tested for PFAS. There is very little of these chemicals in turf as compared to other more ubiquitous items as stated above.

7. Residents Use Synthetic Turf Now
Newton children play on synthetic turf in 100% of Newton’s surrounding towns. They offer a huge benefit for the children of other communities. Is there concern for those children? What about considering the socio-emotional benefit of kids playing team sports, and the life-long opportunities some children can gain from playing sports that they otherwise would not have? Physical health is extremely important as well!

8. Opponents Are Not All Newton Residents, and Some Are Compensated
There is concern that “experts” who oppose synthetic turf are being brought in and possibly paid to speak to deciding committees. This is a Newton issue and should be addressed by Newton residents. Compensation should be disclosed ahead of time. The city is paying a consultant to work on this and can always provide documentation of contracted work.

9. Project Has Widespread Approval and Only Needs Wetlands Review
This project has been approved by Newton City Council, Newton Public Schools, the Community Preservation Committee, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and benefits from extremely strong support from Newton residents. Additionally, Albemarle is one component of Newton’s city-wide athletic improvements plan. And turf is just one component of that plan. The city is building and improving upon many grass fields across the city. Despite improving grass fields, the city still needs the additional turf field to meet the ever-growing demand for playing fields.

10. Installation Provides City-Wide Equity
The choice to withhold any support for turf presents a question of equity. Considering that it is the second turf field for the North Side of Newton while the South Side has two, and offers the only community access for the entire city, the pressure to deny it is a matter of city-wide concern. Granting access to these quality fields to as many corners of the city is Newton’s goal with this and its other field improvement projects.

Please share with others, and invite Newton residents and field users to make their voices heard! Thank you.