Some of the issues BurlingtonGreen has advocated for to date include(most recent to past):

January 13, 2012 - letter to Council regarding Drury Lane pedestrian bridge to support a pedestrian friendly city - letter 
• January 10, 2012 - BurlingtonGreen letter to Burlington Mayor & Council requesting support to stop the use of hydrofluorosilicic acid (HFSA) to fluoridate public drinking water - letter

• December 19, 2011 - BurlingtonGreen input to City of Burlington regarding surplus school lands- letter
• December 14, 2011 - Halton Regional Council Meeting: Stop Escarpment Highway Coalition (SEHC) Delegation
• December 12, 2011 - Ontario Zero Waste Coalition letter to the Premier of Ontario -letter
• November 15, 2011 - Input regarding City of Burlington's Green Procurement Policy: letter
• October 24, 2011 - School Surplus Site Draft Criteria: delegation
• September 28, 2011 - Ontario Zero Waste Coalition letter to Provincial election candidates: letter
• September 26, 2011 - comments submitted to City of Burlington regarding Draft Strategic Plan document-letter
• August 31, 2011 - follow-up delegation to Burlington Council regarding Community Garden partnership proposal - delegation
• June 1, 2011 - delegation to Burlington Council regarding Community Garden partnership proposal - delegation
• May 31, 2011 - delegation to Burlington Council regarding Draft Strategic Land Acquisition Policy - delegation
• May 31, 2011 - delegation to Burlington Council regarding Community Energy - delegation
• April 20, 2011 - delegation re: Burlington Beach Master Plan Review Workplan - delegation
• March 28, 2011 - delegation (originally to be presented March 7) to Burlington Council regarding financial support for Randle Reef Clean-up - delegation
• March 21, 2011 - (artificial turf continued)Response letter to BurlingtonGreen from City staff - letter (note: Council votes in support of staff recommendation to proceed with artificial turf installation at Norton Park)
• March 20, 2011 - Letter to City Staff and members of Councill regarding Council's March 9 unanimous support to proceed with installation of artificial turf at Norton Park-letter
• March 17, 2011 - Coalition letter to Halton Councillors regarding fluoride in municipal waters - letterMarch 9, 2011 - Letter to City Staff, Mayor and members of council following up on January 20 letter (above) regarding staff recommendation to install artificial turf at Norton Park - letter
• March 7, 2011 - Randle Reef remediation -DEFERRED ITEM AT CDC - BurlingtonGreen viewpoint
• March 7, 2011 - BrightSky Power presentation to CDC regarding State of the Environment IV energy related recommendation-powerpoint slides
• March 7, 2011 - presentation to Burlington Community Development Committee regarding State of the Environment IV prepared by the Sustainable Development Committee - delegation
• January 20, 2011 - letter to City staff, Mayor and members of Council regarding need for more research and citizen engagement regarding artificial turf use in Burlington - letter
• January, 2011 -presentation to Burlington Council regarding Burlington suggestions for strategic planning process - pdf presentation
• January 3, 2011-letter to Regional Council regarding removal of fluoride from Halton Region water - letter
• November 17, 2010 - Update on the Process to Develop Halton Regional Council’s 2011 – 2014 Strategic Work Plan-delegation
• October 29, 2010 - Eco-fees letter to the Province
• August, 2010 - Rules Proposed for Off-Shore Wind Turbines -letter to Province
• presentation to the Halton District School Board regarding their decision to sell the parklands at General Brock/Gary Allan school; presentation and delegation to City of Burlington regarding acquisition of property; presentation
• July 12 week - collection of comments submiited re: Climate Change Summit, Quarterly Environment report, Clean Air Council Declaration, smoking ban on outdoor properties and the Ministry of Transportation's proposed Niagara to GTA Corridor
• July 12, 2010 - submission to City of Burlington Community Development Committee re: Proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments - “Back to Back” Townhouse and Townhouse Regulations
• June 23, 2010 - presentation to City of Burlington Community Services Committee regarding the proposed Urban Forest Management Plan
• April 19, 2010 - presentation to City of Burlington Community Development Committee regarding the promotion of Sustainable Building Features for private development
• April 19, 2010 - presentation to City of Burlington Community Development Committee in support of City signing Declaration and taking action on Countdown to Save Biodiversity
• April 19, 2010 - presentation to City of Burlington Community Development Committee in support of Corporate Sustainability Building Policy
• March 31, 2010 - letter forwarded to members of Council regarding proposed Emerald Ash Borer treatment process.
• March 29, 2010 presentation to City of Burlington Community Development Committee in support of a downtown market to support local food initiative
• March 24, 2010 presentation to Region of Halton Admin & Finance Committee regarding Renewable Energy Co-op initiative
• letter to Burlington's Budget & Corporate Services Committee regarding funding support for Zero Waste program
• Feb 9, 2010 presentation at City Hall supporting the recommendation to restrict the sale of bottled water at city facilities. presentation & staff report
• Joined Environmental Defense's campaign asking the Premier to enact legislation to avoid SLAPP suits.
• Submission to Minister of Environment re: Waste Diversion Act - Jan 31, 2010 here and here.
• Delegation regarding Cootes Paradise preservation strategy - Jan, 2010 presentation
• letter of support for proposed Citizens Advisory Committee for the Waterfront - Jan 18, 2010 letter
• Jan, 2010: Joint Submission on Niagara to GTA Corridor and Environmental Assessment Study; letter
• to adopt zero waste policies at the City of Burlington -Dec, 2009 presentation
• delegated to members of Council regarding a proposal to introduce an outdoor eco-market in downtown Burlington-Dec, 2009 presentation
• advocated for stronger environmental assessment & sustainable planning for the City of Burlington's Parks, Rec & Cultural Master Plan; letter
• presentation to the PPW Committeee at the Region of Halton to call for a strong Natural Heritage System (Map 1) and higher residential densities regarding ROPA 38 (Regional Official Plan Amendment) presentation & presentation
• presentation to the Halton District School Board regarding their decision to sell the parklands at General Brock/Gary Allan school; presentation and delegation to City of Burlington regarding acquisition of property; presentation
• letter to MP Wallace re: Conservative Government's rejection of Bill C-311 Climate Change Accountability Act; letter
• delegated to City Council about the environmental implications of developing the waterfront with high-rise towers;presentation
• delegated to City of Burlington members of Council to reject the staff recommendation to remove support for the introduction of a Community Action Summit for Climage Change from the budget. presentation
• delegated and letter writing to the City, Region, Conservation Halton and the Niagara Escarpment Commission supporting PERL (Protecting Escarpment Rural Lands), initiative to stop the Nelson quarry expansion application.presentation
• advocated in support of City staff's proposed energy action initiatives (June 2009);
• changes in Provincial Ministry of Education legislation to support the protection of school site community green space; presentation
• advocated for the ban of bottled water at all city facilities and events (unanimously supported by Council - policy pending) presentation
• presentation regarding Appleby Ice Surface Expansion Report - presentation
• call to action to Province of Ontario re: delay in Pesticide legislation; bulletin
• advocated for stronger, measurable sustainable guiding principles for the proposed Sustainable Halton growth plan; letter
• recommendations to Burlington and Regional Council for the establishment of a Mount Nemo Heritage System to protect "one of the most diverse and highly functioning ecosystems in the GTA"; letter
• presentation to Burlington Council regarding the Strategic Land Acquisition Fund for at risk green space to ensure the associated bylaw would reflect the intent; presentation
• advocated for all development costs incurred by the Region be included in the Development charges paid by developers and not the taxpayers; presentation
• call to action in support of Halton Region's waste reduction bylaw and bottom ash proposal; letter
• recommendations for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver or higher certification and Co2 controls for the proposed Performing Arts Centre; letter & presentation
• the need for a carryng capacity study prior to determining acceptable growth targets for Halton; Dec, 2007 presentation

Installation of Synthetic Turf in Burlington City Parks

The issue:

BurlingtonGreen has received public inquiries regarding the city’s decision to install artificial (synthetic) turf in our city’s sports fields.  This is what we have managed to learn on this issue so far and further below you will find our current position on the matter.

On October 19, 2010 Michelle Bennett (BurlingtonGreen Board of Director) contacted Rob Peachey ( Parks and Open Spaces Manager), and asked the following:  

“Reviewing the Parks website, only the Orchard Park field is currently mentioned regarding having a synthetic playing surface installed yet I do believe other park field sites are also slated for installation.  Multiple requests for information and relays of concern have come to BurlingtonGreen about the installation of synthetic sports fields throughout Burlington. 

• Can you itemize the community engagement process that has taken place and the current status of which sports fields have been chosen to have an synthetic surface installed, or that already have one installed. 
• Can you please relay the economic and environmental research that staff prepared for Committee and Council to make this decision to install this type of playing surface. 
•  Does the city have any jurisdiction over what the school boards plan for their fields, for instance if the property is considered both a community park as well as school park (Alton, Nelson)?  
• New City Park seems to be a special case since the development application has been appealed.  Has any new information come forward since the Oct. 5th hearing specifically about synthetic turf installation?  Our understanding is that no other park of the 130 protected by the Niagara Escarpment Plan Open Space System (NEPOSS) has synthetic turf.   The park as part of the Niagara Escarpment is UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve designated which aims to "maintain, ensure, protect and preserve" the natural environment for future generations. Can you explain how synthetic turf fits into this 'designation'? One suggestion that has been made that might mitigate negative feelings towards synthetic turf installation would be to NOT use asphalt paving for the considerable parking areas.  Can this idea be seriously considered?”

On November 18, 2010 Rob Peachey provided the following response: "There are several artificial turf fields planned for Burlington to be constructed in 2011, including 2 at Norton Community Park (Dundas/Tim Dobbie) and 2 at New City Park (Dundas/Kerns).  A third artificial turf field is planned for New City Park in the future.   The use of artificial turf for these parks was determined early in the design process and presented at public consultation sessions for each project.   Existing artificial turf fields include 1 that has been recently constructed at Orchard Community Park and 2 at Sherwood Forest Park.  A report outlining some of the benefits and a cost analysis was prepared in 2008 (attached).  Generally the advantages are as follows:

• Artificial turf fields can withstand continuous use, whereas natural turf fields require rest periods to allow turf to recover.  This provides more playing time for user groups.
• Use can be extended into the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, extending the opportunity to use the fields by up to 3 months.
• Artificial turf fields can be used immediately following rainfall, whereas natural turf fields require a period of no use while the field dries out.
• Artificial turf fields provide a high quality, consistent and reliable playing surface.
• Environmental benefits are that: no water is required for irrigation, no fertilizers are required, no gas powered mowers are required (grooming is required, but less frequently than mowing).

New City Park is designated as `Recreation’ within the Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System (NEPOSS).  A park management plan was prepared to meet requirements for NEPOSS parks, which included reference to the potential use of artificial turf for one or more of the sports fields.  The park management plan was approved by the Niagara Escarpment Commission on September 17, 2009 and by the Ministry of Natural Resources on February 9, 2010 as being in conformity with the Niagara Escarpment Plan.  

At this time the Environmental Tribunal has not provide a decision, so further information is not available."

*********************

In the report of PR 05/08 dated June 26, 2008, as referenced above by Mr. Peachey the majority of the content focuses on user and financial benefits with the following paragraph addressing “Environmental Matters”:   "Since artificial turf does not require an irrigation system,there is opportunity to save a significant amount of water. As a comparison, the irrigation of 2 sportsfields at Orchard Community Park uses approximately 3,600 cubic metres of water per season. Other environmental considerations include no need for fertilizers and opportunity to recycle certain components of the artificial turf at the time of renewal”.

Outstanding questions:

1.  Product analysis must include research and reporting of the product's life cycle. ie. environmental consideration to water & energy usage for installed turf has been briefly referenced in the report but there is no information pertaining to the water and energy used in the production , maintenance or disposal of artifical turf? "Artificial turf releases more greenhouse gases in its production, transportation and processing than the maintenance of natural turf ever would."”The report includes "opportunity to recycle certain components of the artificial turf at the time of renewal". So what is the specific plan here? What planning is in place to dispose of or recycle the large areas of turf at the end of their use? Would some material be disposed of in landfill and if so, are there financial and environmental costs associated with this?  Are there any environmental implications with potential leaching of the product composite into the land and water under and around the fields? http://www.njea.org/pdfs/HS_GrassTurf_May08.pdf

2. How do artificial turf field installations fit into the city's larger plan? Is the planning for this product installation effectively captured in the City's Parks & Recreation Master Plan? If so,does it include projections of how many current playfields may be replaced with the artificial product in the future? Is there an assessment process in place when this product is to be considered for city locations without current playfields? ie. artificial turf installations on natural park locations such as the New City park on the Niagara Escarpment. 

3. Is the product safe and do Burlington citizens know this? There is no mention in the report of research regarding possible health risks of this product. This is surprising given the controversy of product use in other places in North America. We may all agree that providing more opportunities during the year for citizens to recreate and be healthy is positive, but we should also agree that we must have assurance that there are no health risks associated with the installation, playfield use , maintenance and disposal of this product. This needs to be researched and effectively communicated to the citizens of Burlington.

4. Process concerns: Review of the report consultation list indicates that the Environment Department, Environment Planner, Sustainable Development citizen advisory committee were not consulted on this issue. It also appears that public consultation was specific to user groups and not the general public nor the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Future Guidelines:    The staff report PR 05/08 recommendation accepted by Council was to amend the Norton Park plan after it had already been approved with grass playing fields to allow for artificial turf instead. An additional recommendation was that the (report's) analysis be referred to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Master Plan in order to inform the development of new parks and redevelopment of existing parks.   The limited analysis and public consultation included in this staff report was specific to one park and therefore should not be considered applicable to the development of new parks (like New City Park) or redevelopment of various parks sites going forward.  

Our position:

BurlingtonGreen’s position is that the city should not proceed with any additional artificial turf installations until more comprehensive research is conducted on the environmental, financial and health considerations of this product and that the findings be effectively communicated to the citizens of Burlington. We also recommend that this issue be included in the upcoming strategic plan with equal consideration, effort and supporting research provided for the social, economic and environmental implications and benefits. The Strategic plan process should also include habitat context identifying which locations in Burlington, if any, can support the installation of this product from an environmental perspective.

Action steps:

• BurlingtonGreen sent this letter to our elected officials and relevant city staff on January 20, 2011 
• the City of Burlington hosted a related public information meeting about residential use of artificial turf on January 26.
• Feb 2, 2011: BurlingtonGreen sent a letter to City staff overseeing residential use issue to ask that thorough analytical research be conducted and results shared with the citizens of Burlington
• Feb 2: BurlingtonGreen sent inquiries to both Halton school boards asking each to share any reports/research they may have conducted on the environmental, health and economic analysis of synthetic turf vs natural turf
• Feb 2 news item in Burlington Post. article here
• March 9, 2011-BurlingtonGreen submits letter to City staff , Mayor and Members of Council regarding city staff report recommending installation of artificial turf at Norton Park.
• March 9, 2011 - Mayor and Members of Council vote unanimously at Committee Mtg to support staff recommendation to install artificial turf at Norton Park - see staff report here
• March 20, 2011 - Letter to City Staff and members of Councill regarding Council's March 9 unanimous support to proceed with installation of artificial turf at Norton Park-letter
• March 21, 2011 - Response letter to BurlingtonGreen from City staff - letter (note: Council votes in support of staff recommendation to proceed with artificial turf installation at Norton Park)

December 2011 Update: City of Burlington report re: Request to Amend Zoning By-law 2020 to Permit Artificial Grass in Residential Front Yards - click here.

Questions? Comments?  Let us know by clicking on Have your Say link below and complete the form. (to avoid getting "timed out" , we suggest you prepare your comments in advance)

Ted Chudleigh (Halton Conservative MPP):  "Undoing Ontario's Energy Mess" - January 5, 2011 Burlington Post

BurlingtonGreen President Ken Woodruff's (unpublished)  response letter 

THE PROTECTION OF BURLINGTON'S TREES & FORESTS

After participating in stakeholder workshops and offering input to the development of a proposed Urban Forest Management Plan by the City of Burlington, BurlingtonGreen presented to the Mayor and members of Council at their Community Services Committee meeting on June 23. To read our presentation, click here. We encourage you to review the UFMP document on the city website.

"The purpose of the Plan is to increase urban forest management effectiveness and efficiency, improve tree health and diversity, minimize risks to the pubic, and maximize the benefits provided by a healthy and sustainable urban forest.

The Draft Plan includes a vision and identifies opportunities on both public and private lands, in urban and rural Burlington focusing on five key areas: (1) Management and Implementation, (2) Community Engagement and Stewardship, (3) Protection and Preservation, (4) Replenishment and Enhancement, and (5) Tree Health and Risk Management. Recommendations for each of these areas have been developed and assigned priorities within the Plan’s 20-year framework, with many targeted for completion during the first five-year period." (City of Burlington)

For more information on the Urban Forest Management Plan Study and how you can share your input contact Rick Lipsitt, City Forester, at 905-333-6145 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Commercial bottled water is not the "healthy alternative" for you or the planet because....


• commercial water bottling plants are generally only inspected every 3 years and maintain their own unregulated quality control process 

• there have been 29 recalls of 49 bottled water products since 2000 although only 5 were made public; the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CIFA) found bacteria and chemical contaminants in these products.

• the bottled water companies charge 250 to 2000 times the cost of cold, clean tap water.

• there is a huge environmental footprint associated with commercial, bottled water: the bottle itself is made with a non-renewable resource: oil. Fill that bottle1/4 full with oil and that is how much oil is used to make and transport the bottle itself. It takes 3-5 bottles' worth of water throughout the production process to produce that one bottle of water as well.

• North American cities are banning the use of bottled water including Burlington which will no longer make it available at public facilities.

• transporting the bottles and making the plastic consumes shrinking oil supplies and creates yet more green house gases.


- commercial water plants are drying up river beds with upstream water hoarding of a life-essential common resource.

Municipal water straight from the tap is:

• highly regulated

• tested 4 times a day

• already in your tap

• very cheap

• easily transported in a reusable container

• in short, the healthy choice for you and the planet

For more information see "13 Reasons to Ban Bottled Water" written by BurlingtonGreen volunteer, Barbara Frensch. Want more? Visit: http://www.insidethebottle.org/  

Advocacy at work: On February 9, 2010 at City Hall, BurlingtonGreen volunteer and zero waste advocate Barbara Frensch delegated to members of Council at their Budget and Corporate Services Meeting in support of City Staff's report recommending the restriction of selling bottled water at city facilities. We are pleased to report that all members of this Committee voted unanimously to support these recommendations to respect the health of Burlington's environment!

Delegates who presented to Committee in opposition to the recommendations included a representative from Nestles as well as the President of Refreshments Canada. However, Barbara Frensch who has spoken on this issue and other zero waste advancements in the past, reminded members of Committee about the various environmental and health implications associated with bottled water and commended staff for their proactive recommendations to restrict their  local availability. Feb 9 presentation here. To see the City staff report click here.

Current issue status - November, 2010

bottled water will no longer be available for sale in most City operated facilities....

November 10, 2010 - Thirsty? Try Tap Water (The Burlington Post) article

November 17, 2010 - Bottle ban argument doesn’t hold water: Nestlé (The Burlington Post) letter

November 24, 2010 - Resident applauds water bottle ban (The Burlington Post) letter

November 24, 2010 - Water bottle’s damage starts before landfill (The Burlington Post) letter

November 24, 2010 - Time to revise industry regulations?(The Burlington Post) letter

November 24, 2010 -  Another freedom taken away (The Burlington Post) letter

December 1, 2010 - Burlington tapped as real Clear Choice (The Hamilton Spectator) article

 Here are some ACTION steps you can take to pledge your committment to eliminating bottled water from your home, Burlington's municipal facilities, events, parks and from schools.

• Stop purchasing bottled water and encourage your friends, family and co-workers to do the same (use an alternative such as a reusable stainless steel canteen);
• Encourage coaches and event organizers to stop purchasing bottled water that often end up littering our parks and communities;
• Write, phone, email or meet with your local school Board Trustee to let them know you support the ban of botted water in Halton schools -see Elected Representatives contact info here.
• Share what you have learned about this issue with others and direct them to www.burlingtongreen.org & http://www.insidethebottle.org/

 How to choose a safe reuseable water bottle.