SAN FRANCISCO — Environmentalists are blasting San Francisco’s decision to cover soccer fields in Golden Gate Park with synthetic turf and add night lighting. They say the move will hurt migrating birds and pollute the nighttime sky by the beach.
The city’s Recreation and Park Commission voted unanimously for the changes to the Beach Chalet fields on Thursday. The renovation project will cost $12.5 million.
City officials say artificial turf and lights would increase the amount of time the soccer fields can be used. Removing the grass would also save millions of gallons of water.
But critics say the city should conduct an environmental analysis that looks at the effect on placing bright lights and artificial turf in a semi-wild area.
They plan to appeal the commission’s decision to the city’s board of supervisors.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
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Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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