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The Pleasanton Unified School District has officially broken ground on Harvest Park Middle School’s field renovation project last week.
The project, funded by the $395 million Measure I bond that voters approved in 2022, aims to build a new synthetic turf, a new track and other updated infrastructure by this fall.
“At its heart, this project is about our students,” Harvest Park Middle School principal Russell Campisi told the Pleasanton Weekly. “It’s about creating a space that supports physical education, athletics, school events, and daily student life — a place where our students can learn, grow, compete and build school pride, rain or shine.”
Harvest Park’s field renovation is one of the latest Measure I projects that has broken ground, following the completion of Pleasanton Middle School’s new track and field that debuted to the public last October. School and district officials celebrated the groundbreaking during a ceremony on Jan. 29.
“This groundbreaking reflects the trust our community has placed in PUSD — trust that we take very seriously,” Board of Trustees Vice President Laurie Walker said in a statement to the Weekly. “Projects like this show what’s possible when that trust is honored.”
Similar to the renovations at Pleasanton Middle School, Harvest Park will see an all new, all-weather athletic field and track that, according to the project overview, “supports student wellness and physical education, expands community use, increases year-round usability (including after rain), and significantly reduces water use”.
Apart from the new synthetic turf field and 400-meter running track, the project’s scope of work includes new natural grass fields surrounding the synthetic one; improved walkways, gates and site circulation; new shade trees and low-maintenance landscaping; and new fencing, backstops and service access infrastructure.
The synthetic turf and field will also have areas to support cricket games and more track and field events.
According to the project overview, planning and design for the project began in 2024 and construction is expected to finish this fall. The total project budget, including soft costs, is $9.7 million, according to the district.
“Because our Pleasanton community supported Measure I, we are able to deliver modern, durable, and thoughtfully designed facilities that directly benefit our students,” PUSD Superintendent Maurice Ghysels told the Weekly.
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I see no mention of environmental impact (which I’m confident has been done).
Studies have found that many types of artificial turf contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals”. These chemicals are used in the manufacturing process to help make the plastic grass blades and to coat the backing of the turf.
Are we sure that the new artificial turf is free of forever chemicals?
Please comment.
California cities can ban artificial turf. Given Pleasanton’s history of known PFAS contamination and mitigation expense, it’s surprising the City hasn’t banned it by now.
More details here…
https://calmatters.org/environment/2023/10/california-synthetic-turf-pfas/#:~:text=California%20cities%20can%20ban%20synthetic,ban%20PFAS%20in%20fake%20lawns.