Council adopts Parks & Recreation vision; backs compromise on turf policy and approves Memorial Park plan

Santa Monica’s City Council on Jan. 27 approved a new Parks & Recreation Vision Plan and set a policy direction on artificial turf that tries to balance public‑health concerns and high field-use needs. Staff recommended, and the council approved with amendments, a compromise: no new city‑owned artificial turf fields; maintain existing grass; and require an evaluation at the end of existing turf fields’ useful lives to determine whether durable natural alternatives can feasibly replace them.The compromise followed extensive public comment, including testimony by local students and community groups urging a citywide ban on new turf because of microplastics and PFAS concerns and arguments by adult‑sports and league representatives that high‑intensity rectangular fields require all‑weather surfaces to avoid frequent closures. Staff said natural grass generally costs less to install and is cooler, but high‑intensity sports (soccer, rugby) create wear that requires maintenance and rest for grass fields. Staff proposed pilots and an RFI to incentivize market transformation in turf materials and to research durable natural systems.Council members added direction that feasibility studies must weigh public‑health risks, field‑capacity impacts (including preserving play time for adult leagues) and funding options. The plan sets a 5‑acre-per-1,000-resident goal as a planning target and pairs park expansion goals with funding strategies, including grants and CIP planning.The council also approved a revised Memorial Park master plan after hearing that elevated courts and other features would push phases 1–2 above the project budget. To reduce costs, the council accepted staff’s recommendation to proceed with on‑grade pickleball and tennis courts (rather than an elevated structure) and to pursue grants and value engineering. The revised plan preserves playability, adds community amenities and aims for sustainability certifications where feasible.Staff said the Memorial Park phases are not fully funded and estimated a remaining shortfall for phases 1/2 at roughly $16M–$22M after possible value engineering; staff recommended eliminating elevated courts to bring costs closer to the earlier $40M schematic estimate. Council approved certifying the EIR, adopting mitigation measures and moving forward with final design with the on‑grade court approach.