A September to Remember: Astroturf, Glue Traps, and More

75% of Crocker Amazon Park’s new surface will be either plastic or concrete. photo: ©keepcrockerreal

Hello September! Time to wave good-bye to the lazy days of summer and start fresh with a crisp fall schedule. As someone who looks forward to new beginnings, this is a time of year I really embrace. My calendar may think the new year starts in January, but my soul tells me it really happens in September.

This month marks some important days for animals, including National Wildlife Day on September 4 and National Wildlife Ecology Day on September 27. It also happens to mark my sixth year on the San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare. I still remember my excitement – and nervousness – when I was appointed by the Board of Supervisors. And although it’s been a lot of work these past six years, there’s never been a moment that I haven’t enjoyed serving on the commission. 

At our August meeting, commission members heard from the organization Keep Crocker Real about the city’s plans to renovate the baseball and softball fields at Crocker Amazon Park. Like most San Franciscans, the commissioners generally welcome and support any improvement to our parks and open spaces. But as Keep Crocker Real co-founder Bob Hall pointed out during his informative presentation, these plans unfortunately include replacing the park’s natural grass with artificial turf. 

What this means is that about 75% of Crocker Amazon Park’s new surface will be either plastic (most of it petroleum-based) or concrete. This affects all of us who enjoy the natural grass in our parks as well as coyotes, birds, and other urban wildlife who call the park home. The plan also calls for removing dozens of healthy trees and shrubs that our wildlife use for nesting. 

The impact this plan will have on animals is clearly alarming. In response, the commission voted unanimously on recommendations to the Mayor, the Board of Supervisors, and the City Administrator outlining our concerns about the plan, in particular the artificial turf. We know there is a perception that artificial grass is easier to maintain than natural grass (plastic grass doesn’t need to be mowed regularly), but we also know that artificial grass comes with its own set of problems, including the undeniable impact that it and other microplastics have on the environment.

Unfortunately, this issue is likely to come up again and again as the city looks to renovate other parks and open spaces so it is extremely important to bring awareness to it now before it becomes the default plan citywide. To paraphrase Joni Mitchell, we know that the grass may need mowing, but leave us the birds and the bees …. pleeeease! 

At our upcoming September meeting, the commission will continue discussions regarding a proposed city-wide ban on glue traps. A number of groups and advocates have been working for months with the commission on the proposed legislative language and ways to present and provide outreach to the community regarding this important issue. Among the wonderful folks who have devoted so much time and energy are Commissioners Irina Ozernoy and Mikaila Garfinkel, Alison Hermance with WildCare Wildlife Hospital, Jakob Shaw with PETA, and Professor Matthew Liebman and activist Ashley Hoffman from the University of San Francisco School of Law Justice for Animals Program.  

As the saying goes, it takes a village and the commission always welcomes any offers of help. If you are interested in working on any of these issues, or any other community issue, let us know. You know where to find us.

See you at City Hall!

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The next meeting of the Commission of Animal Control and Welfare is at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, September 11, Room 408, City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102. Information about remote access to meetings is available at sf.gov/animalcommission. Agendas for upcoming meetings are published 72 hours prior to the meeting.

Please be aware that the views and opinions expressed in this column are those of Commissioner Torres and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the Commission of Animal Control and Welfare.