Turf war: Artificial grass sprouts along Vancouver streets despite city disapproval

If you took a stroll along some downtown Vancouver streets you might notice someperfect-looking grass, almost carpet like, along streets and sidewalks.

That's because it's made to look that way. It's artificial, butgreen and lush just like the real stuff only made out of polyethylene plastic.

Synthetic grass issprouting in the city, mostly outside condominium buildings, because owners say it looks good andis easy to maintain.

Opponents, though, sayit's ugly and not good for the environment.

And the City of Vancouverhas not supported its use on private propertysince 2016.

'It's tacky'

"We do get complaints from people that find the artificial turf to be unattractive, tacky, they don't like it and it is in public space," said Brad Badelt, the city's assistant director of sustainability.

The city does not considerartificial turf to be fully permeable, meaning water may not pass through it properly to irrigate trees and potentially increase run off.

It also says artificial turf does not mesh with the city's sustainability plans around rainwater, trees and biodiversity all aimed atprotecting and enhancingecosystems, "while improving the access to nature for all."

TonyGioventu, executive director of the Condominium Homeowners Association of B.C., said many of the artificialgrass installations in Vancouver are outside condominium buildings. He said ownerslike the material'sdurability, low maintenance and cleanliness.

"You know in the wintertime it gets really muddy," Gioventusaid referring to natural grass strips."It really does wear quite heavily."

Advocates of artificial turf say it has many benefits. The material doesn't need to be watered and requires no chemicals such as pesticides for maintenance. They also argue it's good for pets because artificial grasskeeps animals cleaner and bug free.

Dave Abbott, the president of Precision Greens,which installsartificial grass, saysthe company has laiddown two million square feet of artificial grass since across western Canada since 1999, including residential backyards.

"You're not having water run off with fertilizer and chemicals going into the storm drain," Abbotsaid about the material, whichcosts, on average, $12 per square foot.

Abbott says he would do a lot more business in Vancouver if there wasn't the threat of reprisal from city officials. In 2016, the city issued a notice explaining why it does not approve the use of artificial grass on private property.

"The only reason why any projects are going on at this stage right now is at the risk of the homeowner wanting to proceed despite the city bulletin," he said.

The City of Vancouverenforcesreportsofunapproved installation of impermeable surfaces on private property, which includeartificial turf.

Investigations usually follow complaints and can result in a letter asking the property owner to remove the surfaces and restore landscapingwithin 30 days.

Failure to comply with theletter could result in an order. Ultimately cases can be referred to the city prosecutor, which could result in charges against the property owner.

Since Jan.1, the city hasissued oneletter and fiveorders in relation to artificial turf installation.

'No ecological value'

Badeltsays ultimately, the greatest knock on artificial turf is that at the end of its lifespan it mustbe ripped up and discarded ina landfill.

He also says the materials don'tallow enough water through to properly water trees or even absorb storm water like a natural lawn could.

"Artificial turf really provides no ecological value," he said. "Lawn doesn't provide a tonof ecological value either but its certainly better than turf."

Meanwhile Abbott defends his product, mostly constructed in China or the U.S.,saying it is permeable, lasts 25 years and helps with drainage.

He's been trying to meet with city officials to relax rules around its use.

The city uses synthetic turf on 11 of its 153 playing fields.