APPROVAL OF A
PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES AGREEMENT
FOR A TURF STUDY
April 21, 2025 www.paloalto.gov
BACKGROUND
• Community Services manages four synthetic fields at three locations • El Camino Park (1)
• Stanford Palo Alto Community Playing Fields / Mayfield (2) • Cubberley (1)
• Turf replacement projects
• El Camino – Design - 2024/Construction - 2025 (construction deferred) • Mayfield – Design/Construction in 2025 (contract to Council in June) • Cubberley – 2028
• Council directed staff to pause El Camino Park Turf Replacement Project and redirected project funding for a turf study.
1 TURF STUDY
• Study objectives
• Evaluate synthetic vs. natural turf for athletic fields • Focus on environmental and health considerations, cost, and usability
• Combination of staff and consultant expertise provides a balanced approach of local knowledge and comprehensive
analysis and best practices.
• Overall, the study will provide support for data-driven decision-making for future athletic field replacements. • An alternative option is to refine the evaluation to focus only on turf replacement at El Camino Park including product recommendations.
ORIGINAL TURF STUDY SCOPE OF WORK
Current Conditions –
existing turf performance and
longevity
Environmental Impact –
water use, heat retention,
material sustainability
Health Hazards –
potential safety and public
health concerns
Playability –
user experience and athletic
performance
Cost of Conversion –
financial implications of
switching turf types
Maintenance Costs –
short and long-term
expenses
Community and User
Feedback – public input and
stakeholder engagement
Data Collection and Analysis
– research-based
recommendations
1 TURF STUDY SCOPE REVISED
• Revised Approach
Original budget: $232,985
Revised budget: $160,825
• Removed overlapping research with Santa Clara County Public Health Study • Shifted management of community engagement and maintenance analysis to City staff
• Reduction in project management cost from $35,030 to $25,000
NEXT STEPS
• Finalize scope (if needed)
• Community and stakeholder engagement through:
• Project Webpage
• Survey(s)
• Community listening session
• Parks and Recreation Commission
• Return to Council in June with a contract for replacement of the turf and base at Stanford Palo Alto Community Playing Fields
• Considerations
- Product selection (PFAS free, cork infill)
- Timing to minimize impact to field users
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
• Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Contract No. C25192988 with Lloyd Consulting Group, LLC for development of a turf study.
Alternative Recommendation
• Authorize the City Manager to negotiate with Lloyd Consulting Group to modify the scope and budget to focus on turf replacement at El Camino Park, including a specific review of available products, not to exceed the cost currently proposed.
KRISTEN O’KANE
Community Services Director
Kristen.O’[email protected]
650-463-4908