As part of a deal which allowed the Croton Filtration Plant to be built in Van Cortlandt Park, the Department of Environmental Protection promised Bronx politicians money to improve our parks. Harris Park is slated for a renovation and Phase 1 will begin in 2008. Three fields will be seeded with natural grass and three fields will be covered with artificial or synthetic turf.

I am troubled with the idea of artificial turf in any public park where neighborhood children, Little League teams and adults play. Turf creates intense hot spots which are potentially dangerous. Turf requires misting or watering to cool it down. When the air temperature is between 80 degrees F to 90 degrees F, turf temperature reads 140 degrees F to 160 degrees F and can cause skin burns and put players at risk for staph infections. Heat can cause chemicals in artificial turf to be released and tests have shown those chemicals to affect the eyes, skin, and respiratory system of players.

Advocates of artificial turf say it is softer to play on and it is cheaper to maintain than natural grass. The health and safety of our community is more important than cost. Therefore, I call upon NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe and Bronx Parks Commissioner Hector Aponte and out elected officials to declare a moratorium on the use of artificial turf in Bronx parks and playing fields. Until we have more scientific data on the potential dangers of turf, let the Bronx say, "No more turf. Plant natural grass!"

Sonia Lappin

The writer is a resident of Scott Towers.