Ocean City Council Approves Organic Artificial Turf for Carey Field

Ocean City, NJ -- Little more than a year after Ocean City canceled its plans to install an artificial turf field at Carey Stadium, City Council approved a resolution calling for a different type of turf to be installed during its Feb. 11 meeting at City Hall.

City Council approved a resolution to install a 2-inch deep PureFill system provided by FieldTurf by a vote of 6-1. Councilman Peter Guinosso, still citing concerns over a possible connection between artificial turf and cancer, provided the lone dissenting vote.

The total cost of the project, including 98,417 square feet of turf, the painting of a logo and post-project testing, is $494,721.51. Many of the field markings will be donated.

An NBC News report that was published last year raised the possibility of a connection between the crumb rubber from recycled tires used in some artificial turf and the diagnosis of cancer in 38 college soccer players, specifically goalies

The turf Ocean City will install at Carey Field won’t use crumb rubber.

Instead, PureFill is made up of cork granules and sand, according to The Press of Atlantic City. Infill is added to the top of the plastic blades of grass and is permitted to filter down, giving it its structure.

The artificial turf Ocean City will install includes geotextile liner.

Mayor Jay Gillian said the turf will be cooler, as some artificial turf has been known to get up to 140 degrees when the true temperature is 90 degrees.

“We brought in experts and we were told this wouldn’t be a health hazard,” Gillian said. “ … If I thought a kid might get hurt, I wouldn’t bring this forward. I’m satisfied with what was brought to me.”

Councilman Michael DeVlieger pointed out there have been no instances of cancer reported in professional football players, who have been playing on artificial turf for more than 30 years.

“I think we took the prudent course to find a safer organic product,” DeVlieger said.

While most of council was in agreement, Guinosso remained unconvinced.

“I’m not going to take a chance with this,” Guinosso said.

In addition to football, the field will be lined for soccer, lacrosse and field hockey, and a multi-purpose track will be installed.

The city also assured members of the track team concerned with the timing of the project that construction wouldn’t interrupt their season. The spring track teams have not had a home meet since 2013.

Maintenance for the turf would take place about once a month, depending on use, according to Ocean City Business Administrator Jim Mallon. The cost is similar to that of maintaining a turf field made of crumb rubber. Mallon said schools in North Jersey he’s spoken to have had it for as long as 16 years.