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Parks and Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson said she approved renovations to FDR Park\u2019s Ashburn Field without required state permitting because she wanted renovations to be complete by the MLB All-Star Game<\/a>.<\/p>\n The missing permit was designed to address erosion control and stormwater release at the site.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were mindful of the waterways and natural areas within FDR Park,\u201d Slawson said of the decision. \u201cAll erosion and sediment controls were in place during construction, and safety was never an issue.\u201d<\/p>\n Slawson told WHYY<\/a> last week that approving projects without proper permits is not how the department \u201ctypically\u201d handles projects, but she allowed the work to proceed \u201cto accommodate the MLB All-Star Game.\u201d<\/p>\n Typically, state law supersedes city approvals.<\/p>\n The city\u2019s parks department actively manages \u201cthe natural areas within FDR [Park] to protect water quality and support healthy natural systems while balancing the park\u2019s important role in active recreation,\u201d Slawson said.<\/p>\n Missing permits<\/p>\n In the lead up to the MLB All-Star Game, which took place in July at Citizens Bank Park, the MLB and the city partnered to renovate<\/a> the 28-year-old Ashburn Field.<\/p>\n A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held July 10, just days ahead of the All-Star Game, to show off Ashburn\u2019s new synthetic turf field<\/a> and an updated drainage system<\/a> to reduce flooding.<\/p>\n However, as first reported by The Inquirer<\/a> last month, the Phillies and the city did not receive a required permit from the state\u2019s Department of Environmental Protection. The permit was designed to address erosion control and stormwater release at the site.<\/p>\n The Phillies applied for the permit May 13, according to the Department of Environmental Protection\u2019s website<\/a>. Nearly two weeks later, the department sent the Phillies a letter denying the permit<\/a>, citing 32 issues the team would need to address before receiving the permit to continue renovations. That letter<\/a> noted that final plan drawings had not been submitted, other drawings failed to include the project\u2019s boundary, and not all water discharge areas were noted.<\/p>\n A local engineering firm hired by the Phillies responded in June to the May letter.<\/p>\n