A quiet change at a Sacramento school is raising concerns among parents

A group of Sacramento parents is sounding the alarm over a plan to tear out natural grass fields and replace them with artificial turf — a move they say could put kids’ health at risk.The Sacramento City Unified School District insists the switch at Crocker/Riverside Elementary School is both safe and sustainable, noting that six other elementary schools have already made the change in recent years.But families aren’t buying it — and they’re not backing down.“I care about all the kids here, so I think it’s important that they have a healthy environment where they spend most of their time,” Lisa Mar told CBS, whose child attends the school.Mar launched an online petition that’s already gathered several hundred signatures in an effort to halt the project, arguing she doesn’t want her child playing on plastic during recess.“Slow down and rethink it with us, because the community wasn’t consulted, and we really want grass,” added parent Bianca Vargas.Vargas, whose daughter and niece both attend the school, says her concerns go beyond aesthetics — pointing to heat retention and the loss of natural play space.“Heat, I would say, is the biggest one.

Also just the loss of connection to any natural surface,” said Vargas.“We send our kids here every day.

They spend long hours playing outside, and these conditions really matter.”Parents say they’re also worried about potential chemical exposure tied to synthetic turf.“All the toxin exposures and the turf will make the air quality worse for kids,” said Mar.“It’s sad that they will be exposed to nothing but artificial surfaces if this project is completed.”District officials pushed back, saying safety is the top priority and defending the material as a proven option already in use across the district.“The conversion to artificial turf is not something new or exclusive to Crocker/Riverside Elementary.

The product is a safe and sustainable alternative to natural grass and has be...