ITHACA, NY (CortacaToday) — Ithaca’s Planning & Development Board is gathering information about a controversial project at Cornell.

The group is reviewing paperwork for an artificial turf field on central campus. It would be used for various sports.

Cornell Technician Emily Jernigan opposes the proposal; she calls artificial turf “harmful.”

“Not only is it poisoning our planet, but it’s also shown time and time again to increase injury to athletes,” she says.

But Applicant Kim Michaels says natural grass also has risks.

“If there’s divots in it, people get hurt,” she says. “If the ground is really compacted, people get hurt.”

Ithaca’s Planning & Development Board Project Review Committee will continue talks on Friday.