We invite you to help support Keep Crocker Real in our fight to prevent the demolition and privatization of Crocker Amazon Park in San Francisco, CA. We are also working to call for an immediate moratorium on the installation of artificial turf in the city and county of San Francisco. We are up against a well-funded behemoth that is an LLC funded by the SF Giants and other shadow donations from unknown corporate entities. We need to spread the word about their plan to level our beautiful park, cut down hundreds of old-growth trees, install thousands of square feet of synthetic turf, and fence off access to community members.

The use of synthetic or artificial turf on playing fields presents a multitude of public health, environmental, and climate concerns. Synthetic turf is a petrochemical product made from plastic fibers typically composed of polypropylene or polyethylene, plastic backing, supporting layers, and infill. These components have been found to contain toxic chemicals, including phthalates, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and bisphenols. In addition to direct exposure to chemicals when using the field, all of these chemicals—including PFAS, which are persistent and mobile in the environment and human body—could potentially contaminate groundwater supplies via stormwater runoff.

Artificial turf consists of many types of chemicals, plastic, and rubber; the PFAS chemicals in the grass blades limit recycling and reuse options. There are three disposal practices: incineration, mechanical dismantling, and landfill. Pyrolysis or “chemical recycling” is a form of incineration with serious toxic impacts and creates large amounts of hazardous waste. Mechanical recycling is challenging and releases more microplastics. Landfill directly undermines San Francisco’s Zero Waste goals.

Why is this important?

In short: adding more artificial turf to our park will poison the surrounding community and destroy wildlife habitats. On top of that, this plan completely changes the park from a public use space to a privatized, corporate sports complex and robs the community of a beautiful and calming natural space.

The Turf: What's so bad about Synthetic Turf?

Pollution throughout life cycle: Artificial turf is made from fossil fuels and pollutes at every stage—from extraction to disposal. Most fields end up in landfills or incinerators within a decade, contradicting Zero Waste goals. Chemical recycling remains unrealistic.

PFAS & Microplastic Contamination: The San Francisco Estuary Institute found artificial turf contributes PFAS and microplastic pollution to the Bay, threatening ecosystems and public health.

Heat & Flooding Impacts: Turf surfaces significantly increase local temperatures and, because they are impermeable, worsen neighborhood flooding and reduce groundwater recharge.

Health & Safety Risks: Turf increases the risk of burns, ACL injuries, and chemical exposure. Health experts, including Mount Sinai’s Children’s Environmental Health Center, recommend a moratorium.

Environmental Justice: The Southeast side already faces disproportionate pollution and higher asthma rates. Adding turf increases microplastic and chemical dust in overburdened neighborhoods.

Loss of Soil & Wildlife Habitat: Turf kills soil life and removes habitat and foraging space for urban wildlife, sending the message that convenience outweighs living ecosystems.

Climate Contradiction: Turf manufacturing and disposal produce greenhouse gases, undermining the City’s Climate Action Plan.

What we are fighting for:

This is a community park, paid for by the people of the community, so the people should be part of the conversation about how this park is updated. We believe the park can be updated to increase playability on the existing fields, without permanently poisoning the delicate ecosystem, and providing park users who don't participate in sports (which is the vast majority) a place to relax and unwind. If the SF Rec and Park Dept, the SF Board of Supervisors, and Mayor Daniel Lurie can acknowledge that there can be a better and more equitable path forward for all parties, then this park can truly become something amazing.

We also call on the City and County of San Francisco to:

Enact a moratorium on all new artificial turf installations until independent analysis and water testing is performed.

Require transparency from RPD about its relationship with turf contractors, chemical testers and suppliers such as FieldTurf, owned by the French multinational Tarkett Group.

Commit to a revised, all-natural grass plan for the Crocker Amazon Park renovation.

California SB 676 allows cities and counties to ban artificial turf, as the city of Millbrae has done. Cities such as Boston and the State of New York have already taken responsible action by implementing artificial turf moratoriums. San Francisco—known for banning plastic bags and straws—should lead once again by rejecting plastic fields that each represent up to 40,000 pounds of plastic, equivalent to one million plastic bottles.

How will money be spent?

Well, advocacy costs a lot. Outreach through mailings, hanging flyers, and making presentation materials to show decision makers is quite expensive. We need to independently test the existing turf in the soccer complex and also test the proposed turf material. (Each test is $5500) We are just a group of concerned citizens with full-time jobs and families, doing our best to use what limited time and resources we have. All the while, we are working against a corporate machine, with full-time staff and endless resources.

Please help us prevent the mistake of a lifetime that will take generations to recover from. There is a better path, and you can help us get there!