Where once there were trees

The first of a planned 16 artificial turf fields in the FDR Park Meadows. Inset: The Picnic Grove, just over two years ago.

The Fairmount Park “Conservancy” has installed the artificial turf on the field it has been building for the last nine months. It has already clearcut over 20 acres of the Meadows for eight more fields, although it doesn’t have the money to build them, and plans to clear at least another 90 acres, including space for seven other fields, all artificial turf, for a total of 16.

This used to be the Picnic Grove. The state champion hornbeam was among about a dozen heritage trees that stood here, along with other trees. The grass has been replaced with toxic artificial turf, and the trees have been replaced with 70-foot floodlights.

Most of the Meadows remain, virtually untouched. Your neighbors are fighting to save them — here’s how you can help.