2023-10-18-REC-min-att - Laserfiche WebLink

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Working Group Memo — October 6, 2023 This memo summarizes the results of the Lincoln Field Working Group's activities to develop specifications for the resurfacing of Lincoln Field 1 and to establish an approach to address the needs for functional performance, health and safety of users, and environmental impact for future capital projects. The Working Group has agreed that the planned specifications are appropriate for the resurfacing of Lincoln Field 1 and should be included in the bid package to be released this fall. The Working Group came together to ensure that health, safety and environmental concerns associated with artificial turf were considered along with the functional needs of fields at Lincoln Park. Working Group members reviewed relevant literature collected by group members, visited fields that used different technologies, and met with representatives from Brock USA and Town consultants (Activitas). The results of this work have been captured in updates to the proposed specifications for the field. Regarding the short-term need to establish specifications for the resurfacing of Lincoln Field 1, the Working Group has helped to identify turf field components that satisfy the functional needs of the field by using the best, currently available technologies to address concerns related to health, safety and environmental impacts. The specifications call for: • Infill: Brockfill (or similar) is specified - A wood particle infill specifically designed to improve traction and reduce artificial turf heat. It is made from a species of southern pine grown, harvested, and replanted in continuous cycles. • Resilient Underlayment (Shock Pad): Brock SP -17 (or similar) is specified - A patented material using polypropylene with a micro coating binder produces a material with an open pore structure for fast drainage and a unique impact profile ideal for artificial turf. • Disposal: Contractor shall provide a full, detailed accounting of the fate of removed turf materials. Waste disposal via incineration or waste -to -energy is not permitted. So-called 'advanced recycling' or 'chemical recycling' are not forms of actual recycling and are not permitted. • Testing: Artificial turf [all the components] is manufactured in such a way that fluorinated chemicals, including PFAS, are integral to the process. There are at least seven definitions currently used to define per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). By defining and testing for only the six PFAS that are currently regulated in Massachusetts, or even a few others, the remaining thousands of PFAS are not accounted for. All PFAS contain organofluorine(s). By using a screening method that identifies the group of chemicals that contain organofluorine, a more complete assessment of the PFAS present in turf materials is obtained. Analytical test results for total organofluorine and metals shall be submitted by vendors for informational purposes to provide the Town with an indication of the levels of these chemicals in the turf materials. While these materials will increase/change some maintenance requirements and could affect field playability during the particularly cold/wet times of the year, the Working Group's consensus was that these potential impacts to athletic operations are acceptable given the health, safety and environmental benefits of not using crumb rubber infill. The materials used in turf fields and the approaches to manage and assess those materials are evolving rapidly. The Working Group recommends that the Recreation Department integrate the evaluation of project materials for health, safety and environmental impacts in all future capital projects. The Working Page 1 of 2