>> can you give him another minute or so? >> thank you. the studies that you have done in regards to environmental impact, i appreciate all of that. i am glad you have done that due diligence. i want to touch on the safety factors that have been discussed earlier. those are -- and other safety factor that may be overlooked is when children are coming and going from these fields, there is a lot of activity in regards to automobile traffic. in other parts of this project is to increase the size of the drop-off area. that is going to be very

important. thank you for your due diligence. i would ask that you pass this project forward and unanimously of votes the turf project forward. thank you. >> i understand there are some more youth speakers. >> [inaudible] >> we have lots of kids and folks with accommodations. -- we have let kids and folks with accommodations. >> we have had two hours or so of the kids speaking. maybe after this next group, we

can just kind of left of the speakers speak. they have been here a long time. they just keep coming. >> since i am disabled and you have graciously provided this opportunity, i thought i could quickly filled this space. i think i know some of you from different works that have done with the city. are retired from the mayor's office in 1999 -- i retired from the mayor's office in 1999. i was the first founding director of the mayor's child care. i have a daughter that is a third grade teacher at spring

valley. she was the only girl on be a varsity soccer team in san francisco. i have a number of prepared articles and i have spent 40-60 hours in the past couple of weeks. after reading the papers and finding that the so-called opposition is highly organized. i would like to -- i am concerned and i want you to be concerned and share my concerns for children. the children testifying that they do not want to break their legs or that artificial turf is so terrific, i'm also here to tell you i have about 12 attachments. about the risks of turf. right now, all of the baseball teams and all pro football teams are reverting to grass.

children were being told to eat organic food and limit the chemicals and her body. it is not safe. there is ample data, i've only done a sample, a small sample, of some of the most reliable groups in the country. they had knowledge -- they acknowledge the impact of chemicals. we do not know why there is so much optimism -- autism or brain tumors. there may not be enough chemicals and artificial turf to cause cancer or neurological problems, but i can tell you this. if you add up the combination of all the toxins that our kids are exposed to, it is substantial and it is a real problem.

it is tragic that the opposition, which i am not part of any organized opposition, i have not been to testify in front of a committee, but i cannot afford this because of the grandmother and a mother and -- but i came out because i am a grandmother and a mother. please look at the data. >> your time is up. >> next group of speakers, please. >> i am 12 years old and i dent in the district -- and i has been in the district for almost my entire life. i've only played their about

five times because it is in such bad shape. it should be changed to turf because then it is open daily and not even rain could keep me from going there. i live very close to there. >> is there a full group that is coming up? >> i think turf fields are better because you do not get hurt as much. >> my name is connor. i have played on beach chalet for a long time.

the fields would be much better if they were on grass. i want them to be on the turf fields. >> my name is brian. i want there to be more turf fields because the ball can move faster and you do not get hurt as much. >> my name is conner and ti hope there can be turf fields because i feel more safe. on the grass, there can be more

bombs and i can slip and fall. -- there can be more bumps and i can slip and fall. >> i think that turf fields would be great because they would be able to stay open a lot longer. even if it rains, you can still play. that would make everything easier. >> i want turf fields because it is easier to play on. >> my name is joe. i would like to have turf on

the beach chalet fields because there are too many problems with grass. >> i live on 44th avenue, only a couple of blocks away from beach chalet. if it was a turf, we would have a lot more opportunities to play. >> i am 11 years old. we just wanted to say we think it is important to get the turf fields because there are many factors that turf fields prevent

that the grass fields have, like, getting more injuries, you slip a lot. it is a lot neater and the grass field are getting out of shape. we are voting for the turf field and we think it is safer. >> the turf fields, you did not have to water in it. it is better for the environment, and that is an important factor as well. >> a lot of games are rained out here in san francisco. it also prevents a lot of that. thank you. >> anymore kid speakers? ok. i am going to go to cards.

i am going to call some names. if you want to line up on that side of the ram. [reading names] if i have called your name, come on up. >> i played soccer at beach chalet. when i became a city gardener, i also worked out there. turf stinks. it is not natural.

they do not have enough money for the gardners. it is ridiculous. they cannot fire me because i am gone. a lot of kids do not understand because they are young and inexperienced. background is part -- that ground is part. -- hard. if we do not get rid of this stupid turf, a lot of people will get poisoned by this garbage. phoenix, ariz., has been their nfl stadium natural grass. why did they have it? maybe all the injuries the football players half. i coached a soccer team when i was out of high school.

none of those kids got hurt, but i could recall, playing on grass. i was a gardener for 14 years for the city. that ground is like rock. i encourage you not to listen to people who do not understand the reality of turf because i know what it is to work on grass. thank you very much. >> next speaker, please. >> good afternoon. i am the founder of the parks council and former commission member on the commission for the environment. a member of the golden gate park master plan task force. i am a soccer proponent and i support the renovation of the beach chalet.

however, i am also trained in planning. this project, as proposed, it is in violation with almost every plan for this part of the city, including golden gate park. in regards to this master plan, the former park planner is also on the public record saying that she believes this plan is in violation of the golden gate park master plan. we should also -- what should also be a red flag before but the commission's is the fact that to -- there is lack of consideration for the other major land owner at this part of the city, namely the national park service. it has not been addressed by the recreation and park department.

despite the fact that there are alternatives to address the issue, they also have heard nothing to this a fact. the alternatives are there with other sites and other considerations, even some kind of approaches that would make the opponents to this project feel that their concerns have been hurt. to date, we have heard nothing. one has to question why. the rumors out there, this is all about money, not about kids. please vote against this environmental impact report, thank you. >> i am going to call a couple of more speakers. [reading names] >> i feel little wonky after all

those incredible presentations by the kids. i want to talk about the eir on hazardous materials and -- on hazardous materials. i've worked in the area of health care for over 30 years. this eir has in correctly concluded that the rigid that it poses no significant health threats. there was very little research and even got research indicated there are significant health risks. one study cited the exposure to toxic vapors increased cancer risks. that was not considered. concerns about the research included the fact that the risks were mis calculated. the number of studies reviewed were too limited. a comprehensive analysis of all the components was not considered. the cumulative and long-term

effects of exposure was not studied. in view of the defects in the research and the consequences of letting our children play on these fields when we really do not know if they are safe, i request that you do not certify the eir as written. these incredible kid who came here today needed chance to play soccer on safe fields. not on toxic fields. i want to protect these children from harm. let's not use them as a guinea pigs in an experience -- in an experiment back could cause them a life time of pain. thank you very much. >> [reading names]

if you are ready, thank you. >> good evening, commissioners. i urge you not to certify the eir. we have heard from a lot of wonderful kids and families who want to play soccer. we have poured from a lot of people who value the beautiful park -- we have heard from a lot of people who value the beautiful park. the problem is the eir. it has set up a false sense of choice is because it has rejected all possible alternatives. let me point out to you that the beach chalet are 7.2 acres and will cost $11.4 million to construct. eight blocks to the south, there is west sunset playground, 9.2 acres. it is scheduled to be on the

2012 bonds for financing, $13.2 million to put in grass soccer fields. why not just swap the two locations, and give the kids their soccer, and protect the park, it is a win-win solution. it does not cost any more money. it gives almost the same albers of play. everybody is happy -- same hours of play. everybody is happy. please consider that. the current eir is deeply flawed because the goals are engineered to be so narrow that they force you into a false choice. a false argument that we do not have to have. it is a tragedy. thank you very much. >> good evening.

i am an environmental lawyer. i filed this comment letter. i am representing the sierra club, the audubon society, the environmental and education committee, and richmond community association. i am also a coach. i coached my son's little league team. my wife coaches my daughter's little league team. i care about kids. i believe that kids need more playing fields, but i also believe that kids need natural environments to enjoy nature. western end of golden gate park is one of the last of those. we need to protect it. we do not have to choose between soccer and nature. we can have both. our organizations are urging the

city to do a supplemental eir to consider an alternative that would restore the beach chalet with natural grass and better drainage. to install artificial turf, but safe artificial turf, at west sunset. that would give -- we would have more artificial turf with lighting at west sunset. at least as many played hours. we could have both. we could protect san francisco's crown jewel. we need to protect that. we can provide even more soccer field at west son said while protecting this special environment. -- sunset law protecting this special environment.

that area will be gone and spoiled for ever. we do not have to make this false choice. >> next speaker, please. >> the primary purpose of golden gate park, yes, it is recreation. what are we nearly defining recreation to be only the active sports the teams play and that teams must play in various locations until 10:00? my idea is that if you define recreation as both active in those team sports and passive, fly a kite, read about, look at birds, enjoy the sound of the ocean. those are the passive recreation uses. of course, the master plan says

the park should be for recreation. many people are here because they believe this project is for the children. i live very nearby. every day, i walk my dog very near these on athletic fields. sometimes on the path that connects the two windmills. i am very familiar with the site. i have never seen a pothole. remember, you do not need a super sophisticated drainage system. you do not need artificial certification -- artificial turf. you can engineer real grass. it is a win-win situation. look at everything. just don't look at the way the project is configured for an up- down on soccer at the playing field.

it can be done, thank you. >> good evening. i agree that more soccer time is needed in san francisco. the soccer fields need to be upgraded. the problem, for me, is that thr change to golden gate park. many feel it is inappropriate and unnecessary because alternatives are available. the proposed site on the western edge of the city where families are choosing to live. we have more children in our neighborhoods than we have ever had. parents interested in living in the city and commuting to work, they want every day access to nature to get away from development and other areas of the city. the western end of the park provides that access.

the golden gate bridge and golden gate park are both icons. the bridge is a magnificent gateway to san francisco. it is an magnificent gave way to the ocean. the wind mill has undergone multimillion-dollar renovations. the intrusion of the sports complex with artificial turf and stadium lighting would mar the setting. i urge the commission to consider alternatives which would create an overall increase in soccer time and maintain the western edge of the park. that is the intent of the master plan. thank you.

good afternoon, commissioners. i am a 40-year resident of san francisco. i am a commissioner on animal control and we have heard this issue, up several months ago. i'm surprised to see what a big deal it has become. it is interesting to hear all the comments. the kids were really cute. i saw your faces smiling. us adults are here to say something else. i am opposed to this plan to cut turf on here. the other alternative about the

when when of the sunset playground. it is very expensive, the lighting -- this is the west end of the park. it was designed to be left wild, not to be turned into something for kids to play. there other factors involved. there are other people. i was outnumbered by all the kids. i think my voice also needs to be heard. it is not about numbers, it is about other factors. it is not just majority rules. the kids are really cute, but i still am opposed to this plan. it can be done we doing it in grass. what else?

>> thank you very much. [reading names] are you ready? >> i would like to say how disconcerting is to see the proposed modifications. it is a huge change to the park. and to the interaction between the two windmills. excuse me. ok. i have trouble with my hearing dance.

-- aids. the new lights will impact the neighborhood close to the western edge of the park. all the way across the park. these new lights will be three times as close. our old neighborhoods character will be -- our whole neighborhoods character will be a fact. -- affected. many professional sports fields have switched from artificial turf to a natural grass field. these fields would provide many more planning hours that are now available. we can employ the same approach and enjoy the same benefits to accommodate our many soccer players.