Newport Beach will cease using synthetic herbicides on its 17 athletic fields, opting instead for organic treatments and mechanical weed removal. The decision, approved by the City Council, comes as alarm grows over a rare childhood cancer cluster in the nearby community of Ladera Ranch.
At least six cases of Ewing sarcoma, a rare cancer affecting children and teens, have been diagnosed in Ladera Ranch since 2013. While none of the affected children reside in Newport Beach, the city council voted Tuesday to implement an Athletic Field Sod Management Program, a move announced Wednesday.
Assemblywoman Diane Dixon lauded the city's decision, calling it an "important step to eliminate pesticide use on athletic fields." She also praised the city's commitment to replacing turf, a strategy she believes prioritizes the health of children, families, and the environment while maintaining high-quality outdoor spaces.
The new program involves stripping, leveling, and replacing sod on athletic fields every three to five years, depending on their condition and usage. Newport Beach manages approximately 1.9 million square feet of athletic field turf. This transition to organic management is projected to increase annual costs by $51,000 to $102,000, a 5% to 10% budget increase.
City officials stated that the regular returfing will address weed growth and field deterioration due to heavy use, ensuring the fields remain safe and playable. The policy change was influenced by a pilot program initiated in December 2025 at Buffalo Hills Park, which replaced synthetic herbicides with organic treatments and mechanical weed control.
Newport Beach's action reflects a broader trend in Orange County to move away from chemical weed control. In May, Orange County implemented a pause on herbicide spraying across its Flood Control District channels. Ladera Ranch's maintenance corporation also ordered a 60-day pause on chemical weed spraying in its common areas in July, and the Capistrano Unified School District has paused herbicide use at its campuses.
California has also begun phasing out paraquat, a potent weedkiller, after manufacturers voluntarily canceled its registrations in the state. Other communities in Southern California have already adopted organic landscaping as a core part of their maintenance strategies. The Aliso Viejo Community Association utilizes a 100% organic land-management model for its parks, while San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Hills have shifted to organic turf-management protocols for their public sports fields. Irvine has a long-standing ban on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers on all public city properties, and Costa Mesa follows an organic-first policy that significantly restricts toxic chemicals in public parks.