Pasadena Council Approves New Synthetic Turf at Villa Parke, Robinson Park on 5-3 Vote

The approved recommendation calls for recyclable turf made without PFAS and filled with natural materials, and directs staff to keep evaluating natural grass for future renovation projects. Staff said product specifications, which are not part of the recommendation, would require third-party PFAS certification and infill such as cork, sand, coconut husks and olive pits.

Public Health Director Manuel Carmona told the council his department reviewed several dozen studies and found evidence that turf products contain contaminants that “can be hormone disruptors, can be carcinogenic.” He said the best research on whether those contaminants enter the body came from a March 2026 report by the state Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. That study sampled players, coaches, referees and spectators at 35 California fields and detected no toxic levels. Carmona said that research showed low risk “at this point in time” and that the science is still developing. He identified the report as “Synthetic Turf Study: Assessment of Health Risk from Exposure to Chemicals in Crumb Rubber Infill.”

Hampton asked whether the natural infill now proposed had been studied. Carmona said the fields studied had existed for multiple years and “if what you’re talking about is a newer technology, it probably was not included.”

Masuda asked Carmona whether, on cancer, “you’re saying it’s nowhere near that.” Carmona said the conclusion belonged to the California Environmental Protection Agency: “It’s not me, it’s them.” Masuda then said he would vote yes. Gordo said he was “also swayed by” Carmona’s comments.

Cole said the study was commissioned and paid for by CalRecycle, which he described as “an agency that recycles plastic materials.” Cole explicitly framed his next remark as a rhetorical question: “It’s never been the case that a regulatory agency was captured by the people it regulates.” Carmona replied, “I can’t speak to that.” He later said CalRecycle, formally the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, is a state agency under CalEPA.

Madison asked whether Carmona had reviewed the city Environmental Advisory Commission’s report on turf. Carmona said he had not and did not know there was a report. He said his department examined contamination and health effects only, not environmental impacts.

Rivas, who moved the staff recommendation and represents the district, said the high-use field keeps the park active.

“We need people in that park,” she said, adding that coaches, players, parents and leagues overwhelmingly support turf.

Jones, who seconded, said Villa Parke and Robinson Park are where Northwest Pasadena children play and that many families cannot afford private clubs. Parks staff said natural grass soccer fields need a minimum of about three months of renovation closure. Jones said “three months of a field closure is three months too many.”

Staff estimated 3,120 hours of prime-time play a year on turf compared with 2,340 on grass. Maintenance and renovation costs were estimated at $5.34 and $16.15 per hour, excluding capital costs.

Gordo said that when the two parks’ fields were closed years ago, enrollment in city youth programs dropped significantly and children played in streets and parking lots instead.

Staff said natural infill can reach about 125 to 130 degrees at very high temperatures, cooler than rubber infill’s 150 to 160 but hotter than grass.

“That’s a sauna,” Lyon said of the 130-degree figure. He said turf sends microplastics into the water table. He also said the city’s turf has twice lasted eight years, not the 10 staff projected, and that turf would cost millions more across both parks over a decade.

Cole said Pasadena’s minimum standard should be natural grass. Madison said state law has been moving away from artificial turf and questioned accepting any risk for children in underserved neighborhoods. Jones objected when Madison referred to them as among the poorest children in the city.

The city’s Fiscal Year 2027 capital budget includes $1.125 million for Villa Parke. Robinson Park is not funded, and staff will return later to request money. Staff estimated Robinson Park’s 10-year costs at $3.1 million for turf and $2.8 million for grass.

Carmona said his department is drafting heat guidelines using wet bulb globe temperature for all play surfaces, but they were not finalized.

Hampton asked that product specifications be posted at the park and reviewed before purchase. Staff said a grant application was submitted for spectator shade structures at four parks, including Villa Parke and Robinson Park.

The council received 25 speaker cards. Installers with Painters and Allied Trades District Council 36 and youth and adult sports leagues backed the plan. Environmental advocates opposed it.

Councilmembers Rick Cole, Jason Lyon and Steve Madison voted no. Mayor Victor Gordo, Vice Mayor Jess Rivas and Councilmembers Tyron Hampton, Justin Jones and Gene Masuda voted yes.