For those who want to voice their opinions on the Plummer Park artificial turf issue, details on upcoming public meetings where you can provide input are at the end of this article.
“Imagine my surprise to see that in the work order for the dog run being installed at Plummer Park, artificial turf has reared its toxic head once again.” Bob Claster took to the podium during a recent city council meeting, reminding officials of the battle West Hollywood residents had fought against a proposal to install artificial turf at Hart Park. Regular users of the park had strongly opposed the plan, launching a months-long campaign of lobbying, emails, and petitions.
Claster detailed how last year, they had presented the Council with “mountains of irrefutable evidence from a wide range of academic and scientific sources all in absolute agreement that this stuff is terrible for the environment, for the water table, for the users and for the community.” The evidence was damning: artificial turf would raise air temperatures significantly, smell bad, and worst of all, contain carcinogens.
Under mounting pressure at a meeting on September 16, 2024, the Council eventually directed staff to return at a later date to discuss ground cover options for the off-leash dog area. “Mayor Erickson specifically thanked me on the record for educating Council on this topic,” Claster said.
The delay leaves the door open for synthetic turf, wood chips, or other natural materials such as stabilized decomposed granite or permeable pavers in Hart Park’s final design. And now, anti-turf residents will face a two-front battle: artificial turf is once again being considered—this time at Plummer Park.
Artificial turf, once marketed as a low-maintenance alternative to natural grass, has come under increasing scrutiny. Studies from Yale and the University of California reveal that synthetic turf contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), linked to cancer and other health risks. The material also traps heat. A 2008 study by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and the Desert Research Institute (DRI) found that artificial turf can reach surface temperatures of up to 169°F. Other studies have recorded temperatures as high as 180°F—far hotter than natural grass—creating dangerous conditions for both pets and humans.
Environmental concerns are just as pressing. Artificial turf prevents rainwater absorption, exacerbating runoff and water pollution. Cities across the country are taking action. Boston outright banned PFAS-containing artificial turf in 2022, citing growing concerns over toxicity, while cities throughout California are reconsidering its use due to similar risks. Other places, like Montgomery County, Maryland, have also started banning or restricting artificial turf.
Given these concerns, Claster asked: “How is it possible that what would be toxic at Hart Park would be safe for Plummer Park a mile and a half away?”
The decision to include artificial turf at Plummer Park raises questions about City Hall’s motivations. One possible reason? Cost-cutting. Though real grass has lower initial costs, artificial turf eliminates watering and reduces long-term maintenance costs. But those savings come at the expense of public health and environmental concerns.
Another possibility: industry influence. The artificial turf industry aggressively markets its products to municipalities, pushing claims of durability and eco-friendliness that independent studies often contradict. Could lobbying and vendor relationships be at play?
West Hollywood residents aren’t backing down. Much like their fight at Hart Park, they are mobilizing against the Plummer Park plan. If last year’s battle is any indication, City Hall will once again face sustained pressure to reverse course.
“We love the wood chips currently in our park, where they’ve caused zero problems in 25 years.” Claster emphasized that proven, organic alternatives exist and should take priority over artificial turf.
As cities across the country ban artificial turf, West Hollywood’s decision could spark wider scrutiny. Other communities have successfully fought back, advocating for safer alternatives like wood chips or natural grass.
The key question remains: Will the Council listen this time, or will residents be forced to fight once more to protect their parks?
Residents who want to voice their opinions can attend upcoming public meetings regarding park improvements. The Public Facilities, Recreation, and Infrastructure Commission will meet on Wednesday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m. at West Hollywood City Hall. Additionally, the Older Adults Advisory Board and the Disabilities Advisory Board will discuss the improvements at their respective meetings on February 26, with the former meeting at 2 p.m. at City Hall and the latter at 6 p.m. at Plummer Park Community Center. These meetings offer the community a chance to learn more about planned changes and provide public comment. The feedback gathered will be considered in the final schematic design before an update is presented to the West Hollywood City Council.
There are plastic grass dog parks in Santa Clara where I live. When the air temperature heats up, as in 87 degrees or more, the plastic heats up even more – above 140 up to 170 degrees. The dogs hang out on the sidewalk and don’t go on the plastic. How hot is it in summer where you are?
I do not care what is put in the Hart Park or Plummer Park as long as it’s not those wood chips. They are dirty and disgusting. It is essentially cat litter that’s spot cleaned but that’s it. I’d Like to see the study and how much it costs and how often they have to replace it. The green artificial grass at West Hollywood Park is cleaned regularly and does not smell. I go there frequently. Perhaps a mix of some of the artificial turf with the decomposed granite on the outskirts? So that our dogs could have a soft… Read more »
How badly does the turf at Weho park smell? I imagine the tennis and pickleball players wouldn’t enjoy breathing that in in the summer if in fact it does emit odor. Otherwise wood chips like at the nearby playground might be a good option.
Someone is getting kickbacks. Wood chips are far superior. Someone do something.
Whatever just happened to real grass as an option? It has never failed if maintained on a regular basis. That to me is the issue with West Hollywood. They want to say the chips or fake grass are easier maintenance for them In reality these options require more work
Let the dog owners decide what is preferred and stick to the plan. I’m starting to think they already bought the faux turf and are trying to save a dime.
Real grass never survives in a dog park area. It will end up with mostly dead patches. And then of course you have the constant maintenance and watering.
Headline shoud read “TURD Wars”
hey the collar and comb put down a bunch of this fake grass at their new location on SM and La Cieneaga..now that whole corner is gonna smell of dog urine. yay!
While I don’t agree about the artificial turf, using bar chips is not a solution. One of the nice things about the West Hollywood Dog Park is it when I take my dog there she doesn’t get dirty. When I have taken her to the Hart Park Dog Park, the bark chips just are nasty and dirty and I have to give her a bath. Also, I don’t understand why you want to keep that park as one big park and not keep small and large dog separated. large dog owners don’t mind that but small or dog owners do.
I’ve been a regular at the park for years. And one of the nicest things about it is how well the little dogs and big dogs get along. There’s limited space there, and splitting the area in two just means less space for dogs who love to run to be able to. It’s a solution in search of a problem. Sure, when you go to the artificial turf park your dog is cleaner. And both you and your dogs could very likely be absorbing carcinogens, and you’d never know. That’s the thing about cancer: it doesn’t leave notes. You’ll never… Read more »
Look at the plans. They include a separate area for small dogs. Sadly, they want to cut the large dog area in half but not to accommodate small dogs, which is ridiculous as it’s just barely big enough as is. This was the first dog park in the city. By the way, the dirt you speak of is due to the city failing to replace desentigrated chips in a timely manner thus reducing the surface to the dirt underneath and causing dust. The fact is, turf fans have their place to go, and chip fans have their place to go… Read more »
The plans are finally being unveiled and shown to the public at the meeting on Wednesday, 6:30, at City Hall. This could be our only chance to make our feelings known, so it’s imperative that we show up en masse.
There are non-toxic and draining fake grass. Just because cheap carpet kind exists doesn’t mean they all are like that.
Like clean coal or safe cigarettes, this is a myth perpetrated by the petrochemical industry trying to sell this toxic crap.
If they aren’t willing to use real grass, then I’d prefer fake grass to rocks or mulch. There are soo many other toxic things we are in contact with daily just by breathing that I really don’t care. Beverly Hills has real grass everywhere. At least we could make a single park with it…
Residents should be more outraged at the plastic fake grass installed outside homes and apartments and on city owned parkways.
Why MORE outraged? Why not equally outraged?
Because the dog turf has a function, has drainage and is maintained and cleaned every day. Front yards and parkways are none of that.
Yeah hardly maintained. Just ask users what they think of the constant smell of urine and diarrhea baking in the hot summer sun. Bacteria also grows on that nasty plastic. Just ask Koontz hardware what their staff thinks of the pungent urine 24/7. The city also uses chemical cleaning agents on that nasty turf, not just water. It’s proven that the turf on hot days heats up to the same as dogs walking on hot pavement.
How do you clean wood chips?
Well, we users clean up the poop. Surprisingly, I’ve never smelled urine there, though you’d think the wood chips would absorb a lot of it. No idea why. Maybe there’s something in the wood that neutralizes it or metabolizes it or something, I don’t know. There is periodic maintenance there, and they do swap out the chips from time to time. No idea how often, though.
You sure the urine Koontz smells isn’t from the bar next door?
Exactly. The alley behind Motherlode that abuts the dog parks has smelled like urine and stake beer since1979
Outrage! What this city does best! Lol
Yes, so glad to hear you are outraged too!! Appreciate your support.