Tell SF Rec and Park and your supervisor to reject artificial turf
SF Rec and Park Commission
Email: recpark.commission@sfgov.org
Call Supervisor Chen only if you live in District 11.
Find out which Supervisor represents you here.
Email template
Emailed public comment is always most effective when you use your own words. Here’s some copy from Keep Crocker Real for you to start from; choose selections from it and add your own thoughts as you see fit.
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed Crocker Amazon Ball Field renovation. While I agree that the park is long overdue for improvements, I do not support many aspects of the plan presented on February 20th. Below are the changes I would like to see incorporated:
1. Preserve the existing football field as an open space.
This field provides a vital area for large-scale community events (5,000+ people), including Samoan cricket, football, night markets, movie nights, music programming, and farmers' markets.
Add more picnic tables and BBQ grills to support community gatherings.
Maintain this space for teams to meet, warm up, and practice.
The park lies within the Pacific Islander Cultural District. Members of the Pacific Islander community were not consulted about the project. Their uses of the park would no longer be possible with the proposed plan.
2. Use natural grass instead of artificial turf.
Plastics in our environment are an increasing concern for local residents.
Natural grass is a better option for health, safety, and environmental sustainability.
3. Enhance community amenities.
Refresh and expand the Rec Center and small playground.
Install more benches throughout the park.
Improve the existing dog park.
4. Increase plant biodiversity and green spaces.
Expand native habitat areas, particularly on the slopes above the football and airplane fields.
Restore upper Crocker level habitat to blend the park with the Natural Resources Division (NRD) areas.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Background
Join other concerned park goers in shaping the plan that San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department is developing for Crocker Amazon Park. The plan, as presented on February 20th, would eliminate the two existing open fields, add an additional baseball field, and cover more than half of the park with artificial turf.
With the existing soccer field, this would mean that over three-quarters of the park would be covered in artificial surfaces, significantly altering the park’s character—not for the better. The proposed plan does not add any new amenities for nearby residents. They aren’t even planning to give the small Rec Center a fresh coat of paint! However, they are proposing a small dog park.
Before the next meeting, there is an opportunity to organize and formally register our opposition. It’s most effective if we ask for specific changes to which the RPD must respond. Below, we have outlined what we believe to be key priorities. Please feel free to use any of these points in your own message and add anything else that matters to you.
About Keep Crocker Real
Keep Crocker Real is a grassroots group of San Francisco residents in the Crocker Amazon neighborhood dedicated to enhancing an open and accessible park space that meets the needs of the community.
These fine folks are trying hard to spread the news that the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (RPD) is out to create a park that will be three-quarters blanketed with plastic turf. No one asked for this. This is a drastic change from the way the community wants to use the park, while also creating possible public health risks for those who don’t deserve it. We love our parks and our park employees who tend them, but RPD management is determined to spread acres of plastic throughout the landscape instead of providing natural spaces for everyone to roam and recreate.
The vast, open setting and flat natural grass terrain of Crocker Amazon makes it an ideal setting to gather, exercise or chill for every type of user group of every physical ability. We agree, the park does need some upgrades and improvements and we’re willing to work with community groups, legislators, environmentalists, parent groups and park officials to get the kind of park the neighborhood deserves.