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September-October, 2002

Artificial turf is back in a big way. Responsible, professional grounds managers may scoff at the idea or shudder at the suggestion that it show up on their grounds. Rather than be baptized by fire or hide behind the mask of natural grass purism, we need to be learning what athletic departments, youth sports organizations and parks and recreation professionals have been studying for some time.

Nobody would dispute that a well maintained natural grass field is a thing of beauty. Not only is a real grass field a vision to behold, but also arguably the most preferred surface to play on. However, these fields of dreams are intensely managed systems, vulnerable to environmental stresses and cultural abuses. Natural grass athletic fields are constantly at risk and this cannot be ignored. Let’s also be honest and recognize that athletic fields that are in top condition are, for the most part, the exception rather that the rule. Most of us are familiar with football fields that are dirt between the 40’s and the hash- marks, and soccer fields with wallowed out goalmouths. Re-sodding is expensive and must be done repeatedly. Several professional sports venues have installed modular systems with grass growing in exchangeable trays with mixed results and at great expense.

Demand for field use is at historical highs. In highly developed urban and suburban areas most programs have a deficit of facilities. To take a field out of play for renovation or rest would drastically impact programming. Synthetic fields play right away, look good and can be used day and night, all 12 months without having to take warm or cool seasons into consideration.

In addition to accommodating programming immediately after installation, artificial turf offers the benefit of extremely low maintenance. As the sales reps say, “No mow, no grow, no H20!”. Periodic grooming of the field amounts to the dragging of a topdressing brush once a month. This brushing of the turf can impart a pattern similar to the effect of mowing ryegrass in opposite directions but the primary objective is to maintain a consistent, level surface. Site visits and interviews with field managers indicate that prescribed maintenance is often ignored because the field looks so good, they don’t bother brushing it. At the opposite end of the spectrum are those that brush the field so often that the field is worn out prematurely and winds up looking like fine fescue or something you’d expect to find in an Easter basket.

Artificial turf in its most current and popular form consists of a mat of tufted polyethylene fibers rather than the infamous densely woven rugs known for causing foot-lock injuries and “turf toe.” Since polyethylene is a “lazy” fiber, it is supported with an infill brushed into the mat. Infill systems vary with the manufacturer. The two most common are straight crumb rubber made from recycled tires or a mixture of prescription sand, rubber granules and ground-up Nike sneakers. Each manufacturer will boast of the virtues of their system and the flaws of the competition. Regardless of the supplier, infill systems make the turf stand up and provide shock absorption in an attempt to emulate a natural grass field’s play characteristics and to provide a consistent, safe surface.

Appearance of the field is dictated by the degree in which the fibers are split, or fibrillated. Initially, the fibers are wide and resemble tall fescue or centipede grass. Fibers are split to create an appearance according to customer preference or to favor a particular sport. The best looking fields bear a striking resemblance to a natural rye/bluegrass field. Boundary lines, yard and hash marks, end zones and logos can all be integrated permanently into the field in a variety of colors eliminating the need to paint for the life of the field. At least one manufacturer will supply tan colored fibers to use in place of the skinned area of a softball field.

New installations of synthetic turf are laid atop sub-bases of stone and drainage pipe. These fields are able to handle extreme volumes of water keeping the field playable in virtually all conditions. In at least one installation, the subsurface drainage system of the athletic field doubles as a retention device thereby eliminating the need to create a structure elsewhere on the site.

Manufacturers of artificial turf like to draw parallels from nature. Whether they are sound in principle or used to present an alien product to us in terms we are familiar with is left for you to decide. One thing is for certain. Competition for sales can be more intense than the games played on the field. With prices typically $6.00 to $11.00 per square foot, suppliers are anxious to bid on your job.

For those who have no experience with artificial turf it may be prudent to start your research now. You may find it quite enlightening and at the very least you’ll be prepared to state your case against it or be sure you are buying what you need and getting what you pay for.