Save The Meadows - Philadelphia

cleanaircouncil.salsalabs.orgVote “YES” on HB 2145

There's only 4 days left for Pa. Senators to protect our communities from toxic forever chemicals. HB2145 passed easily in the House but the Senate is sitting on it. The bill doesn't cover artificial turf but it's a start. Click below, demand a vote! @cleanaircouncil.bsky.social @pasenatorsaval.com

npr.orgA judge blocks the government's tree-clearing spree at a municipal D.C. golf courseLocals and preservationists have long opposed Trump's plan to redevelop a municipal D.C. golf course. That legal fight escalated after the government cleared hundreds of trees on short notice.

Gee, it sounds familiar. Except that's a federal judge, not a Philly judge.

kickstarter.comHow Much Plastic Is in Our Water?Help Plastic-Free Pals launch a community-powered microplastic monitoring network in Philadelphia, with a vision to take it worldwide.

Here's your chance to kickstart a community-powered investigation of microplastic pollution across Philadelphia — including microplastic pollution from artificial turf being installed in FDR Park. The first step to solving a problem is proving it exists. But it won't happen without you!

inquirer.comMicroplastic pollution found in 100% of Delaware River tributaries testedThe pollution was detected in 22 stream and river segments tested in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York.

What else is a major source of microplastics, along with the sources listed in the article? Artificial turf. More turf fields = more microplastics in our waterways. @pennenvironment.bsky.social @frankkummer.bsky.social Report: environmentamerica.org/pennsylvania...

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sciencedirect.comsciencedirect.com

This 2023 study found artificial turf fibers accounting for 15% of ocean microplastics: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

bit.lyArtificial Turf: Facts with Sources, from STMARTIFICIAL TURF: Facts with sources Last updated: July 2026 • Online with links to sources at bit.ly/artificial-turf-facts Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy have made man...

We don't know what the numbers are around Philadelphia, but building turf fields — the city plans to put 16 in the FDR Meadows alone — can only push them higher. It's madness.

wasserdreinull.deMicroplastics from artificial turf versus hybrid turfNew scientific studies prove that artificial turf pitches without prevention strategies are massive sources of microplastics. Up to 15% of marine plastic comes from artificial turf fibers. Hybrid turf...

Particles of the plastic blades become more brittle under years of sun and break off under use. The particles flush out of the field when it rains.

beyondplastics.orgSynthetic Turf is HAZARDOUS — Beyond Plastics - Working To End Single-Use Plastic PollutionSynthetic turf is hazardous to human health due to chemical exposure, microplastics and the risk of skin burns as well as infections, with children being especially vulnerable.

Each field contains about 40,000 lbs of plastic grass fibers and backing. That's equal to 2 to 3 million single-use plastic bags. Plus it has PFAS in it. A field can shed 200–3000 lbs of that microplastic into the environment, per year, depending on its age, exposure, and usage. Guess where it goes.

savethemeadows.comWhere once there were trees — SAVE the MEADOWSArtificial turf has been installed on the first of a planned 16 playing fields in the FDR Park Meadows.

The Fairmount Park “Conservancy” has installed the first artificial turf in the Meadows. This is the first of 16 playing fields it plans to put in FDR Park. Over 30 acres of toxic plastic, replacing woodlands and meadows, at enormous cost to our city, the health of our youth, and our environment.

espn.comNashville turf temps of 157 F melt cleats, send Sirianni for IVPlayers cleats were melting and head coach Nick Sirianni needed an IV as a result of extreme heat conditions at Nissan Stadium during Sunday's game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans, a 24-20 Eagles win.

22 Sept

"Players' cleats were melting and Eagles coach Nick Sirianni needed an IV as a result of extreme heat conditions at Nissan Stadium during Sunday's game between Philadelphia and the Tennessee Titans ... The temperature on the turf reached 157 degrees Fahrenheit"

That's the artificial turf the City of Philadelphia is installing everywhere it can — including 30 acres of it in FDR Park.

inquirer.comPhilly Parks and Rec leader approved the unpermitted work at an FDR Park fieldParks and Rec Commissioner Susan Slawson said she approved renovations to FDR Park's Ashburn Field without required state permits "to accommodate the MLB All-Star Game."

15 Sept

So, to be clear, the city "typically" follows Pennsylvania environment law, except when it would inconvenience the Phillies? Or just when it's inconvenient in general?

whyy.orgPhilly Parks and Rec head says she greenlit Phillies’ unpermitted turf field for 250A former DEP commissioner says the city did not have the authority to skirt state laws in order to make the 250th deadline.

11 Sept

PPR Commissioner Slawson "authorized" illegal construction of turf field in FDR Park, according to ... Slawson. Great reporting from @whyynews.bsky.social

linkedin.comCity of Philadelphia hiring Director, Clean and Green Initiatives - MDO in Philadelphia, PA | LinkedInPosted 1:00:19 PM. A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to…See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn.

2 Sept

This job description has a lot of clean. But where's the green?

25 Aug

Either the Phillies are lying, or someone in our city government greenlighted this violation even though the City can’t override state law — which is something that both the City and the Phillies know.

25 Aug

Somebody has some explaining to do.

inquirer.comPhillies installed artificial turf at FDR Park field without environmental permit, record showsThe field was completed in time for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in July.

24 Aug

Permit? We don't need no stinking permit! That's what the Phillies seem to think. Blockbuster article in @inquirer.com on the new artificial turf at FDR Park's Ashburn Field. @phillies.bsky.social

24 Aug

The turf was installed illegally. The City can't legalize an illegal act. You have to get the permit before you do the work. The proper remedy is to require removal. @delriverkeeper.bsky.social @cleanh2opa.bsky.social @pasenatorsaval.com @pennfuture.bsky.social @cleanaircouncil.bsky.social

youtube.comTesting turf temps at Ashburn Field, FDR ParkYouTube video by Save the Meadows

The @phillies.com just AstroTurfed one of the two baseball fields they maintain in FDR Park. We measured its surface temperature at 134° — over 40 degrees higher than the grass field. It was only 86° out. On hotter days, turf can go over 170°, endangering players and increasing global warming.

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docs.google.comLinks for Phillies' Richie Ashburn turfArtificial turf installation at Ashburn Field - DEP Permit and project timeline Since 1998, the Philadelphia Phillies have maintained two city-owned baseball fields in FDR Park and used them for thei...

What's more, the Phillies built the field without waiting for the Pa. DEP to approve the required environmental permit. They got deficiency letters from @pennsylvaniadep.bsky.social, but they just went ahead: docs.google.com/document/d/1Qfjfx_xTF9etMIRoYJDyPsChCKgP5-UkUgv5kloFveM/

Pa. DEP requirements exist for a reason: to protect our waterways, watersheds, and the people and wildlife that depend on them. Why do the Phillies think they can ignore them? Chapter 102 § 102.5: www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/025/chapter102/s102.5.html

youtube.comTesting turf temps at Ashburn Field, FDR ParkYouTube video by Save the Meadows

It's not just heat. Artificial turf also means more injuries, more microplastics, and more cancer-causing PFAS. More at: bit.ly/artificial-turf-facts This is doing our youth no favors. The Phillies should know better.

8 July

🌳 ARBORLOGUES 🌳 is coming to Philly! On Sat July 18 & Sun July 19 only. It's a theatrical experience like no other — don't miss it! More info: docs.google.com/document/d/1... Reserve your time slot now: www.eventbrite.com/e/arborlogue...

25 June

The kids will surely be thanking the Phillies for replacing the natural grass at the Richie Ashburn fields in FDR with this burning hot, PFAS-laden toxic turf. What in the world are the @phillies.com thinking? More in this letter to the Inquirer: www.inquirer.com/opinion/lett...

inquirer.comSix former Phillies died from the same brain cancer. We tested the Vet’s turf and found dangerous chemicals.Tests run on two samples of old Vet Stadium turf found it contained 16 different types of PFAS, or per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances — so-called “forever chemicals."

25 June

Apparently they didn't read this:

18 June

Phila. City Council authorized the city to hand over public property in FDR Park to a private organization — asking nothing in return. This letter in the Inquirer points out the folly. www.inquirer.com/opinion/lett...

inquirer.comNorth Philly coaches feel overlooked by MLB’s decision to not invest in their baseball programsMLB will renovate Ashburn Field in FDR Park, among other initiatives, through funding from the All-Star Legacy program, which benefits host cities of the annual showcase.

It's sad to see Major League Baseball spend millions on toxic turf in FDR Park. Just like Phila Parks & Rec, which plans to put over 30 acres of turf in the FDR Meadows, the MLB could fix up neglected grass fields in underserved parts of the city — instead of exposing kids to PFAS. @phillies.com

theconversation.comMicroplastics are everywhere in Pennsylvania’s water – but the tide may be turningAn environmental engineer who mapped microplastic pollution in three of Pennsylvania’s watersheds explains what it means for our health.

It's not only PFAS. As artificial turf breaks down under use, it becomes a major source of microplastics in our soil, waterways (like the ones they plan to "restore" in FDR Park) and oceans. theconversation.com/microplastic...

Free version of article: share.inquirer.com/izkKra Facts about toxic turf: bit.ly/artificial-t...

act.cleanwater.orgFighting for PFAS Free Products!PFAS are a group of thousands of human-made toxic chemicals used for their ability to repel dirt, water, and grease. Exposure to PFAS chemicals have been linked to serious health problems. Clean Wat...

15 June

The Pa. House has passed legislation banning PFAS in common consumer products! Artificial turf is not included in the ban, but this is a step toward a wider ban on these toxins. Join us & @cleanh2opa.bsky.social — ask your Pa. senator to support this bill: act.cleanwater.org/page/185027/...

actionnetwork.orgHappy Hour and PicnicCome on out to FDR Park to meet and relax with your fellow Meadows defenders at a casual potluck and community hang-out near the entrance to the Meadows. Bring something to eat or drink to share, if...

5 June

It's World Environment Day! Come on out to FDR Park for a casual picnic and get-together with Meadows defenders. Kind of a pot-luck if you feel like bringing something. Sign up at actionnetwork.org/events/happy... or just stop by!

3 June

On Thursday, Phila Council votes on a sweetheart deal to hand over part of FDR Park for up to 26 years with no requirement for any public use. Tell Council: STOP PRIVATIZING OUR PARKS docs.google.com/document/d/1... @cmthomasphl.bsky.social @kendraphlcouncil.bsky.social @ruephilacouncil.bsky.social

youtu.beJune 4, 2026 Philadelphia City Council meeting - Parks-related extractsYouTube video by Save the Meadows

5 June

Wondering what happened? Council (predictably) passed both bills — authorizing a sweetheart lease deal with the Fairmount Park Conservancy, and nominating appointees to the revived Parks and Rec Commission. See youtu.be/uNQzO20eo0U for a quick overview.

3 June

3 June

Fairmount Park Conservancy could pay next to nothing to take over the Welcome Center, use it as a fancy rental venue, and keep all the revenue. The public owns it and paid for most of the reno. This is a giveaway.

inquirer.comCut back on mowing your lawn and grow a ‘pocket meadow’ with a free kit from Pa.To encourage “meadowscaping,” or “rewilding,” Pennsylvania this week is giving away seed mixes that cover 1,000 square feet. Unlike lawns, meadows don't require regular mowing or watering.

28 Apr

The state of Pennsylvania values meadows so much. It will help you grow a "pocket meadow"! Free version: archive.ph/7FCZW Meanwhile it's helping Philadelphia destroy almost 100 acres of meadows in FDR Park. drive.google.com/file/d/1-cSJ...

act.cleanwater.orgEvil Beer Does Good...For The Planet. Join us for Happy Hour in Philadelphia!Raise a glass to protecting the planet by joining Clean Water Action and Evil Genius Beer Co. for happy hour event at their taproom in Fishtown. Evil Genius Beer Co. is donating $1 for every beer sold...

23 Apr

Thursday April 23 6–8pm: Join our ally Clean Water Action for a post–Earth Day happy hour at the Evil Genius taproom in Fishtown @cleanh2opa.bsky.social

inquirer.comEarth Day and the promise of a greener Philadelphia | OpinionIn our city, progress in the fight against pollution and environmental degradation lives in the parks, waterways, and public spaces that shape daily life for millions of residents.

22 Apr

Greener? Maybe greenwashing. Bulldozing mature tree canopy and filling wetlands to put in toxic artificial turf is not ecological restoration. Phila. Parks & Rec and the Fairmount Park Conservancy honor Earth Day by celebrating ecocide. www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...

10 Apr

The Fight For FDR — April's cover story in Grid Philly magazine! "Despite the odds, park advocates continue their efforts to save the meadows" gridphilly.com/blog-home/2026/04/04/south-phillys-fdr-park-renovation-proceeds-as-lawsuit-challenges-its-legality/

youtu.beCommittee of Whole: Budget Hearing 04-16-25 MorningYouTube video by Philadelphia City Council

Today at 1pm, Philadelphia Parks & Rec testifies on its budget for FY2027, in City Hall 400. Another dept is also testifying, but it looks like Parks goes first. Last year Commissioner Sue Slawson told Council the FDR Park Plan was "funded completely" (see video). Not true then, not true now.

youtube.comPhiladelphia City CouncilThe official account of the legislative branch of Philadelphia municipal government. To ensure the City of Philadelphia can communicate in an effective and meaningful way with all of its citizens, the...

Funny thing — a $250M PPR project, the most controversial Parks project in Philadelphia, lacking in funding to go forward, and running over a year late. And not a single question about it from Council, or even a mention. Video: www.youtube.com/@PhillyCityCouncil/videos (likely to post on Thurs)

youtu.beCommittee of Whole: Budget Hearing 04-16-25 MorningYouTube video by Philadelphia City Council

Nope, nothing on FDR from Gauthier.

youtu.beCommittee of Whole: Budget Hearing 04-16-25 MorningYouTube video by Philadelphia City Council

Let’s remember that Councilmember Gauthier headed the Fairmount Park Conservancy while it was creating the FDR Park Plan.

youtu.beCommittee of Whole: Budget Hearing 04-16-25 MorningYouTube video by Philadelphia City Council

Councilmember Jamie Gautier says she’s going to have a few questions about capital projects. Let’s see if FDR park is among them.

youtu.beCommittee of Whole: Budget Hearing 04-16-25 MorningYouTube video by Philadelphia City Council

The FDR Park Plan has nothing to do with “equity, sustainability, and responsibility.” And PPR is not “maintaining its tree canopy” — it’s mowing it down and selling the lumber.

youtu.beCommittee of Whole: Budget Hearing 04-16-25 MorningYouTube video by Philadelphia City Council

The next panel — Parks & Rec along with Free Library — is finally starting. With commissioner Susan Slawson.

youtu.beCommittee of Whole: Budget Hearing 04-16-25 MorningYouTube video by Philadelphia City Council

phlcouncil.comFY2027 Budget Center - Philadelphia City Council

Check schedule: phlcouncil.com/budget2027/ Watch live: phlcouncil.com/watch-city-council/ Watch after video is posted: www.youtube.com/@PhillyCityCouncil/videos Public testimony on all depts is held separately, on May 6.

24 Mar

A setback for the South Philly neighbors suing to stop the FDR Park Plan and save the Meadows. Orphans Court Judge Woods-Skipper denies them a preliminary injunction. But they're not giving up — they're taking it to Commonwealth Court. More at docs.google.com/document/d/1...

inquirer.comCritics of FDR Park’s renovation to appeal court decision after a blow to their caseNotably, the judge knocked down key points raised by residents. Points their attorney was to raise again in April with the same judge.

24 Mar

"Ultimately, one of the reasons Woods-Skipper didn’t grant a preliminary injunction was because the court found it would 'adversely affect the public interest.'” —@inquirer.com Apparently she feels the public is better served by 30 acres of toxic, PFAS-laden artificial turf than trees and nature.