Junglien Chen, ABP organizer

Purpose This   website   will   inform   you   about   what   is   being   planned   for   Hilltop   Park   and   why   this   project needs   to   be   stopped.   Unite   with   fellow   residents   from   all   areas   of   Princeton   and   with   one   strong voice tell the councilmembers that they need to stop proceeding with this flawed plan. Background Info Mercer County has a program called Mercer-At-Play 2 that awards grant money to townships for developing   recreational   needs.   The   town   needs   to   match   the   grant   money   it   received   dollar   for dollar.   Our   Recreation   Department   plan   to   use   this   money   for   a   synthetic   turf   (plastic   grass)   at Hilltop   Park   to   better   serve   the   sport   clubs’   needs.   They   reasoned   that   a   synthetic   field   can   be used   constantly   without   the   need   for   it   to   rest   and   a   wet   synthetic   field   can   dry   out   faster.      This means   all   the   natural   grass   at   Hilltop   Park   will   be   pulled   out   and   be   replaced   with   this   plastic grass.   Funds   will   be   budgeted   for   installing   the   synthetic   turf,   additional   bleacher   seating, permanent   lighting,   permanent   line   markings   dominant   line   for   soccer   (secondary   line   for lacrosse)   and   a   chain   link   fence   to   enclose   the   new   field.   The   total   amount   for   this   presently   is at   $1.5   million.   That   is   $500K   from   the   county,   township’s   matching   $500K   which   it   has   on   hand and the remaining $500K to be raised by the township taking out a loan by issuing bonds. Update   2/3/21:   The   council   approved   another   $10,600   to   commission   a   study   to   include   the softball   field   at   Hilltop   Park   to   be   also   converted   into   a   synthetic   turf   field.   This   addition   will increase   the   total   cost   of   the   project   to   be   close   or   well   over   $2   million.   This   means   the township will need to issue additional bonds to cover the construction cost. Why did all six councilmembers . . . Voted against the environment? The   councilmembers   determined   that   a   synthetic   turf   to   accommodate   the   sport   clubs   at   a tremendous   environmental   cost   to   us   is   worth   it.   They   will   be   dumping   tons   and   tons   of   toxic materials   on   Hilltop   Park   that   is   harmful   to   us.   Princeton   Council   on   July   22,   2019   adopted   as   a public    policy    the    “Climate    Action    Plan”    to    mitigate    the    effects    of    climate    change.    “While achieving   these   goals,   the   plan   strives   to   promote   social   equity,   foster   economic   stability, improve the local environmental quality, and enhance public health and safety.” • climate ▪ Natural   grass   field   can   act   as   a   carbon   sink   to   capture   carbon   that   would   otherwise travel   into   the   atmosphere   and   escalate   climate   change   and   synthetic   turf   does not.      Fighting   climate   change   and   at   the   same   time   installing   synthetic   turf   seems to be one step forward and two step back plus a slap on the face. ▪ A   vast   majority   of   the   users   to   Hilltop   Park   lives   within   walking   distance   of   the park.   After   the   conversion   they   would   need   to   drive   to   use   other   parks   because   the field   at   Hilltop   Park   would   be   unpleasant   to   use.   How   does   this   help   with   Princeton’s cutting down on car pollution and make the town a more walkable place. • Health ▪ The   tons   small   black   rubber   crumb   powder   infill   are   spread   all   over   the   field   to keep   the   plastic   grass   staying   up   and   provide   a   bouncy   feel.   The   powder   is   made by   pulverizing   used   old   tires   that   contain   heavy   metal   and   chemical   toxins.   The toxins   can   be   absorbed   into   the   body   by   contact   with   skin,   cuts   or   inhalation leading   to   strong   evidence   that   it   is   a   cause   of   cancer   for   many   soccer   players. After   playing   on   the   field   a   child   is   covered   with   the   black   powder.   It   takes thousands   of   used   tires   to   produce   enough   infill   powder   to   cover   the   field.   You   wont let   your   kid   play   in   an   old   tire   dump   you   will   not   want   them   to   play   on   a   synthetic field either. ▪ Synthetic   turf   can   not   “self   clean”   like   a   real   grass   field.   Sweat,   spit,   blood   and animal   feces   stay   on   the   plastic   grass   and   breeds   infectious   germs.   One   of   the most   concerning   is   MRSA   (a   form   of   staph)   bacteria.   Industry   standard   calls   for frequent   wash   down   with   water   or   harsh   chemical   cleaners.   This   undoes   one   of   the reason   given   by   Recreation   Department   that   not   having   to   water   a   synthetic   field will be a cost saving measure. ▪ Turf   burn   are   common   on   synthetic   turf   because   it   is   much   more   abrasive   so   it   is easy   to   scrape   off   a   layer   of   skin.   Kids   getting   nicks   and   scrapes   on   synthetic   turf are   much   more   likely   to   get   MRSA   (staph   infection).   MRSA   bacteria   is   becoming harder    to    treat    because    it    is    resistant    to    almost    all    the    common    antibiotics, infection can be serious enough to be life threatening. • water and soil ▪ Stormwater   runoff   will   carry   the   toxins,   microplastic   particles,   chemical   cleaner from   the   synthetic   turf   into   protected   wetland   by   Hilltop   Park   and   down   storm drains and pollute water sources downstream. ▪ The   rubber   infill   can   migrate   out   of   the   synthetic   turf   field   into   surrounding   area covering   it   in   patches   of   black   specks.   This   allows   the   crumb’s   toxin   to   be   spread further afield and leach out into surrounding soil and water. ▪ During   Summer   the   synthetic   field   will   be   so   hot   that   it   needs   to   be   sprayed   with water   to   cool   it   down   to   allow   players   to   use   the   field.   Another   way   to   waste   water and undo the cost savings claims by the Recreation Department.   Voted for irresponsible spending? Spending   money   on   things   that   is   not   a   priority   reveal   to   us   that   they   are   not   serious   about managing the town’s expenses in order to hold down our property taxes. • Princeton   with   the   nation   is   facing   one   of   the   greatest   economic   challenge   for   many   years   if not   decade   to   come.   Due   to   the   extraordinary   deficit   spending   by   all   level   of   government they   will   eventually   need   to   tighten   their   budget.   This   will   result   in   Princeton   receiving   less money   from   the   the   federal,   state   and   county.   Trashing   a   perfectly   fine   soccer   field   and   then spend   millions   to   replace   it   with   synthetic   turf   is   not   a   priority.   Princeton   needs   to   conserve funds   to   spend   it   on   supporting   our   local   businesses   and   maintaining   social   and   health services.   The   council   need   to   get   their   budget   priority   right   keeping   our   residents   employed and cared for is more important than a frivolous photo-op infrastructure project. • It    is    understandable    that    the    Council    and    the    Recreation    Department    want    to    take advantage   of   the   Mercer-At-Play   grant.   It   seems   like   free   money   but   it   is   not,   it   is   our   tax dollars    handed    down    by    the    county.    The    Council    should    have    asked    the    Recreation Department   to   use   this   opportunity   to   build   facilities   that   is   not   a   high   ticket   item   but instead   a   bang   for   the   buck   project   such   as   a   dog   park   that   many   residents   have   been pleading   for   year   after   year.   A   project   like   this   allows   us   to   use   all   of   the   Mercer-At-Play grant and yet not cost us that much either. • The   synthetic   field   will   last   about   8   years   then   it   needs   to   be   replaced.   That   is   a   forever recurring   expense   of   about   $500,000   or   more   that   is   the   removal   fee,   landfill   fee   if   recycling is   not   possible   and   new   synthetic   turf.   This   means   the   Recreation   Department   will   need   to budget   $62,500   every   year   to   save   up   so   that   it   can   replace   the   old   synthetic   field   after   8 years.   What   is   the   Recreation   Department’s   plan   to   have   that   money   by   that   time.   Will   they squirrel   away   $62,500   or   60%   from   of   their   $100,000   park   maintenance   budget   to   pay   for the   new   synthetic   field   and   let   the   maintenance   of   the   other   parks   take   a   hit   in   the   level   of service?   Ask   for   the   council   to   increase   their   park   maintenance   budget   by   60%?   Or   why worry   about   it   just   go   to   the   willing   Council   and   BORROW   more   money?   Nobody   knows   how its   going   to   happen   because   maybe   the   council   never   thought   about   this,   never   asked   or never cared. One thing for sure they never bothered explaining it. Voted for something that is not equitable or fair? Our   municipal   representatives   will   figuratively   go   in   a   frenzy   racing   and   tripping   over   each   other to   grab   the   mantel   that   would   proclaim   he/she   as   Princeton’s   number   one   social   justice   warrior for   equality   and   fairness.   But   standing   up   for   something   that   EVERY   Princeton   resident   should be   able   to   enjoy   that   equality   and   fairness   thing   that   you   repeat   over   and   over   seems   to   be   just your election slogan rather than real action. • “Above   all,   healthy   grass   fields   are   an   undeniable   pleasure   to   play   on   and   be   around.   Like the   woods,   the   mountains,   and   the   ocean,   a   beautiful   grass   field   is   one   of   nature’s   glories. Grass   fields   smell   good.   They   feel   good   on   bare   feet.   You   can   lie   on   them.   Roll   around.   Just the   sight   of   a   thriving   field   inspires   us   to   chase   a   ball,   throw   a   frisbee,   fly   a   kite   or   play catch.   They   are   where   communities   gather   to   run   and   cheer   each   other   on.   What   could   be better    than    that?”*    This    quote    explains    eloquently    why    the    residents    of    Hilltop neighborhood   and   the   rest   of   Princeton   are   united   in   opposing   the   destruction   of   our   natural green open space and why it is so needed. • An   open   natural   green   space   is   a   basic   public   amenity   that   all   Princeton   residents   should have.    This    is    especially    important    to    the    thousands    of    residents    living    in    nearby communities   by   Hilltop   Park   in   high   density   dwellings   without   access   to   private   yards.   These types   of   dwellings   are   townhouses,   condominiums   and   apartments.   Many   of   the   residents there   are   within   walking   distance   of   the   park.   About   2,000   people   are   living   in   these communities:    Community    Village,    Campbell    Woods,    Cooperwood    Apartment,    Reddings Circle,   Holly   House   (for   senior   citizens),Griggs   Farm   and   Governor’s   Lane.   Within   couple   of years   there   will   be   another   thousand   or   so   residents   living   nearby   this   park   those   are   the new   developments   at   Thanet   Court,   housing   at   the   old   SAVE   facility   and   expansion   at Community Village and corner of N.Harrison and Terhune Rd. • Hilltop   Park   also   serves   many   residents   of   the   surrounding   affordable   housing   communities. Hilltop   area   still   has   several   plots   of   land   that   can   and   will   be   used   for   future   affordable housing   development   bringing   in   at   least   another   2,000   residents.   Yet   the   Council   has agreed   to   wreck   this   park   the   smallest   one   relative   to   population   density   leaving   current and   future   residents   without   an   open   space   to   relax   and   enjoy.   Councilmembers   and   the Recreation   Department   please   don’t   try   to   tell   us   a   synthetic   field   is   the   same   as   a   real grass   open   space   for   enjoyment   and   relaxation   it   would   be   insulting   like   trying   to   convince us an parking lot is also a park. • Presently   the   grass   field   can   be   used   by   both   the   sport   clubs   for   organized   sports   and   local residents   for   recreational   activities.   The   councilmembers   need   to   explain   on   their   scale   of fairness   how   does   the   need   of   thousands   of   local   residents   is   outweighed   by   the   need   of   a few   sport   clubs.   The   sports   club’s   needs   is   really   a   luxury   bestowed   by   the   council   at   a   great expense   to   us   the   Hilltop   residents.   If   there   are   residents   who   wants   to   use   the   toxic   and unpleasant   field   they   have   to   wait   until   the   clubs   finished   playing   and   that   will   be   a   long wait   because   the   Recreation   Department   want   to   pack   the   synthetic   field   with   one   event after   another   from   early   daytime   to   late   in   the   evening.   Special   note   to   Cooperwoods   and Campbell   Woods   residents   residing   right   by   the   park   you   will   be   hearing   loud   crowds cheering   athletic   events   at   the   park   from   breakfast   to   dinner   time   and   if   you   are   an   early sleeper   you   can   fall   asleep   to   the   bright   lights   shinning   at   you   through   the   windows.   Enjoy. Let’s   stop   calling   it   a   park   and   call   it   by   what   it   really   is   the   Princeton   Organized   Sports Complex. * quote from Field Fund Inc.  Appeals contact   the   municipal   officials,   media   and   organizations   listed   below   and   let   them   know   your opposition to this project. Municipal Officials: Mayor Mark Freda Email: lmfreda@princetonnj.gov talking point suggestions: Tell Mayor Freda: • To use all that is available to him as a Mayor to stop this project from proceeding. • Focus   on   his   election   promises   that   is   to   hold   down   our   property   tax   and   spend   money   on improving   Central   Business   District.   Both   of   which   can   benefit   from   not   wasting   money   on the synthetic turf in Hilltop Park. • We    already    have    one    toxic    site    at    the    now    shuttered    Convenience    Center    (town dump/recycling   center)      don’t   tarnish   his   credentials   by   letting   Hilltop   become   Princeton’s second toxic site.   Council President Leticia Fraga Email: lfraga@princetonnj.gov Councilmember David Cohen Email: dcohen@princetonnj.gov Councilmember  Michelle Pirone Lambros Email: mpironelambros@princetonnj.gov talking point suggestions: Tell Councilmember Lambros: Note: she will be running for State Assembly in the upcoming election. • Tell   her   to   stop   the   project   at   Hilltop   Park   to   demonstrate   to   her   State   Assembly   election voters   that   she   has   the   business,   financial   and   analytical   insight   to   see   that   this   project does   not   make   any   fiscal   sense   and   a   set   back   to   hold   down   property   taxes.   It   would   be   a great   example   that   she   can   use   to   illustrate   to   voters   outside   of   Princeton   not   familiar   to her how determined she is about controlling spending. • Tell   her   don’t   let   this   wasteful   spending   approved   by   her   fellow   coucnilmembers   be   the albatross around hers neck during her State Assembly election. Councilmember Eve Niedergang Email: eniedergang@princetonnj.gov talking point suggestions: Tell Councilmember Niedergang: Note: she will be up for re-election this November. • During   the   Council   election   she   ran   on   a   campaign   of   being   an   environmentalist.   She   should know   how   the   synthetic   turf   will   damage   the   environment.   She   needs   to   stop   the   Hilltop synthetic turf project to demonstrate to Princeton voters that you are true to your words. • She   is   also   a   coordinator   at   the   Watershed   Institute,   therefore   she   should   know   how   toxic runoff from synthetic turf is polluting our waters. Councilmember: Mia Sacks Email: msacks@princetonnj.gov talking point suggestions: Tell Councilmember Sacks: • During   the   Council   election   she   ran   on   a   campaign   of   being   an   environmentalist.   She   should know   how   the   synthetic   turf   will   damage   the   environment.   She   needs   to   stop   the   Hilltop synthetic turf project to demonstrate to Princeton voters that she is true to her words. • She   is   also   a   board   member   of   Sustainable   Princeton.   Sustainable   Princeton   the   local environmental    organization    that    developed    the    Climate    Action    Program.    She    therefore knows   that   Princeton   should   not   be   installing   this   synthetic   turf   because   it   contribute   to climate change. Councilmember  Dwaine Williamson Email: dwilliamson@princetonnj.gov Environmental Commission ℅ Deb Mercantini (Commission Secretary) Email: dmercantini@princetonnj.gov Talking point suggestions: • Ask   the   EC   to   issue   a   statement   that   the   township   should   not   proceed   with   a   synthetic   turf at   Hilltop   Park   due   to   the   negative   environmental   impact.   Inform   them   that   there   is   also   a protected wetland right next to Hilltop Park. Media: Planetprinceton.com: editor@planetprinceton.com Town Topics Newspaper: editor@towntopics.com Town Packet Newspaper: https://centraljersey.com/submit-form/ Organizations: Watershed Institute: https://thewatershed.org/contact/ Sustainable Princeton: https://www.sustainableprinceton.org/contact-us/

Princeton   council   members   approved   spending   millions   of   your   $   $   $ to   destroy   our   park.   Turning   natural   green   open   space   into   a   noxious plastic   space   covered   with   fake   grass   (synthetic   turf).   These   are   the same    politicians    who    pledged    that    they    will    take    care    of    the environment,   reduce   property   tax   increases   and   uphold   fairness.   Yet when   presented   with   an   opportunity   to   cast   their   votes   to   affirm these promises they chose to vote for the complete opposite.

IMPORTANT:    The   Recreation   Department   will   be   holding   a   Public   Review   (Zoom   meeting)   sometime   this Feburary.   Call   in   and   tell   them   that   Princeton   Does   Not   Want   this    in   our   parks.   Please   join   the   email   list so that you can be notified of the exact date/time of the event or check back here for updates. Take Action 2/24/21 Wednesday 7:30PM: Township Environmental Commission Zoom meeting. Call in and inform the EC what the Recreation Department is planning to do and the environmental damages it will cause. Ask them join us in opposing this project from proceeding. Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84769738033?pwd=RnZrNE9SNWZqdmJFOUk5S253Q2hyUT09Meeting  ID: 847 6973 8033  Passcode: 922199 Join   ABP   email   list   to   stay   updated   (yes@abpnow.org) .   Please   contact   ABP   if   you   can   help   or   provide advice    and    information    that    would    be    of    help    to    this    cause.    Please    write    to    the    officials    and organizations listed at the lower part of this webpage and