Susan Teitelman

The City of Missoula is currently evaluating the option of allowing Big Sky Professional Baseball to replace the existing grass field with artificial turf at city-owned Ogren Park. Concerns from residents have prompted City Council to consider whether to adopt a policy regarding artificial turf on city property. Given what we know about its impacts, it appears that allowing large turf fields contradicts local health, safety and climate goals.

Some of the concerns about artificial turf, which is sometimes referred to as synthetic turf, are better-known: high upfront costs of installation; waste associated with the need for regular replacement; and the harmful materials found in its composition. Artificial turf is made from mixed plastics, which contain microplastics and to

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