Los Altos is planning to spend $1.1 million replacing the natural playground surfaces at Shoup and Grant Parks with Poured-In-Place rubber (PIP).

Renovate with the same safe, accessible and natural Engineered-Wood-Fibers (EWF) surface already in place today. PIP is the wrong choice for our children, our parks and our environment.  

DEMAND NO MORE PIP: Sign the petition to the Los Altos City Council and PARC Commission

The city has already installed toxic PIP in the Hillview Outdoor Fitness area and the Community Center toddler play area. It was the wrong choice then and it is the wrong choice going forward.

WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS WITH PIP?

EXTREME HEAT

PIP rubber can become dangerously hot. On an 82°F day, PIP surfaces can hit 160°F or higher, hot enough to cause contact burns within seconds. That creates a particular risk for young children, who may touch or walk barefoot on playground surfaces. Refer to the CBS News Report

PIP raises ground temperatures enough to create heat islands, scorching roots, reducing soil moisture, and drastically reducing the natural cooling.

Sun exposure can cause PIP surface to become brittle, crack and deteriorate, creating tripping hazards, releasing microplastics and reduced fall protection.

CHEMICALS AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH

PIP is made from recycled rubber granules held together with polyurethane binders. These materials can release free isocyanates — the same chemicals regulated in industrial settings. PIP surfaces contain carcinogenic compounds,PAHs, benzothiazole, and potentially PFAS "forever chemicals" along with heavy metals, exacerbating asthma and other conditions.

Because children spend time in close contact with playground surfaces—and young children frequently touch their surroundings and then their mouths—we should be especially cautious about materials used where they play.

GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION RISK?

Los Altos relies on groundwater as an important source of drinking water. Over time, playground materials are exposed to intense sunlight, rain and weathering.

Can the City guarantee that chemicals and particles from deteriorating PIP will not enter our soil and groundwater?

VEGETATION STRESS

PIP raises ground temperatures enough to scorch roots, reduce soil moisture, and drastically reduce the heat sequestering (AKA cooling) attributes of natural surfaces.  

Our parks should help cool our community - not create additional heat islands.

SURFACE DEGRADATION

Sun, weather and use causes PIP surfaces to become brittle, crack and deteriorate, creating tripping hazards, releasing microplastics and reduced fall protection.

WE CAN DO BETTER

Los Altos does not have to choose between safety and a natural playground. Both can be true.

Natural Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) surfaces are already in place today. EWF provides fall safety and ADA compliance, in addition to being toxic chemical free and environmentally friendly - all the things that the City says are important. EWF provides attractive, accessible playground surfaces without many of the concerns associated with PIP rubber.

Before implementation, Los Altos should carefully consider the full life-cycle safety, accessibility and environmental cost to the community.

YOUR VOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

The City is moving forward quickly.

Ask the Los Altos City Council and PARC Commission to protect our kids, protect our parks and choose safer alternatives to PIP.

Please sign the petition to the Los Altos City Council and PARC Commission.

Every signature helps show city leaders that residents are paying attention—and that the health and safety of our children should come before convenience.