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A geotextile fabric or liner is installed under an 8 to 12 inch gravel and/or sand sub-base with flat drain tiles that tie into a perimeter drainpipe system to carry water away from the field surface.

What is Synthetic Turf?

Synthetic turf first came to prominence in the 1960s, when the earliest version, a knitted nylon surface called AstroTurf, was installed in the Astrodome in Houston, Texas. In the 1970s, the product was further developed with the introduction of nylon and longer polypropylene (PP) surfaces, some with sand infill, called Omni Turf. The 1990s brought additional changes, including longer, fibrillated PP and polyethylene (PE) yarn systems filled with a mixture of sand and granulated, recycled rubber. Finally, the 2000s saw synthetic turf evolve into all PE systems in-filled exclusively with rubber available from many vendors.

What is an In-Fill System?

In-fill systems are the most recent efforts to produce synthetic turf fields that look, feel and play like natural grass. Generally, they consist of 2.5-inch long, vertical polyethylene, polypropylene or nylon fibers attached to a porous polyethylene backing. Then, a 2-inch infill of crumb rubber is placed within the fibers to serve as the "dirt" between the blades of synthetic grass. Some systems only use crumb rubber. Others use a segregated layer of crumb rubber and sand, and still others use a specific mixture of sand and rubber. Mainly because of this infill material, the surface performs much better than older versions of synthetic turf that consisted mainly of the turf "carpet" set upon a backing, similar to an ordinary carpet installation. Certain installations also feature a polyurethane pad, placed just under the backing to provide extra cushion and surface resiliency.

How Should the Site Be Prepared?

Obviously every park site is different and comes with its own set of challenges. Depending on local regulations in your area, storm water runoff may be a major consideration in the design of your project. Once that issue is addressed, however, the key to the success of your field may well lie in using an earthwork contractor who is knowledgeable and experienced in athletic field construction in order to ensure that your field has a quality base under it. Proper drainage and compaction are needed throughout your site and all of your base work and excavation should be laser graded to ensure quality. In nearly all cases, in order to provide drainage for the field, a geotextile fabric or liner is installed under an 8 to 12 inch gravel and/or sand sub-base with flat drain tiles that tie into a perimeter drainpipe system to carry water away from the field surface.

How is the Synthetic Turf Installed?

After construction is complete on your high quality sub base, it is time for installation of your synthetic turf. Your turf vendor will provide an installation crew whose first step will be to survey and lay out all the necessary markings on your field. Next they will install the turf in five-yard panels, either by starting at the 50-yard line and fanning out to the ends or by starting at one end and working their way down to the other. Next, they begin the seaming process to connect the panels, which can consist of sewing, gluing or a combination of both. All seams should then be rolled with a 1-ton roller before setting the end zones and sidelines. The next step will have the contractor manually cutting the turf to install markings on your field, including hash marks, logos and end zone lettering. After that, the contractor will post-fibrillate the synthetic turf fibers, or use a tine rake to lift the turf fibers,

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Prior to laying out a turf panel, the contractor completes a final roll of the base.

to an upright position before "top dressing" the field with the in-fill material. Finally, the field is broomed to work the in-fill into the field surface in

Installers will lay the turf in five-yard panels, either by starting at the 50-yard line and fanning out to the ends or by starting at one end and working their way down to the other.

a consistent, uniform manner. The last step in the process is for your maintenance staff to be trained in the necessary procedures to be able to maintain the field on an ongoing basis.

What Are Some of the Pros and Cons of a Synthetic Turf Field?

There are a number of benefits that a synthetic turf field can offer including, but not limited to, less down time for field maintenance, greater opportunities for usage, a consistent playing surface that can be used for multiple sports and environmental benefits derived from less mowing, watering and application of herbicides and pesticides.

Some studies have suggested that synthetic turf fields can accommodate up to six times more use than natural turf. However, at a minimum, if you use your natural grass fields in one season, for example in spring, and then rest them in the fall to have the time to restore them and grow new turf, your usage could at least double with a synthetic turf field.

Along with the benefits, there are also a number of potential drawbacks to consider, including the high initial cost to install a field. Depending on the existing site conditions, the average per field initial cost of a complete turf system, including the site construction, can range from $450,000 to $600,000. Another concern is that synthetic turf surfaces tend to be warmer than natural turf, and some groups have raised safety concerns about the fields in regard to the potential for MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and lead exposure.

Is Synthetic Turf Cost-Effective?

The contractor will manually cut the turf to install markings on your field, including hash marks, logos and end zone lettering.

Depending on level of usage and climate, the estimated life expectancy of a synthetic turf surface would be +/- 10 years, while the drainage system and sub base should last for 30 to 40 years. When considering whether or not a synthetic turf system is right for your agency in regard to cost, it is critical to consider both the cost of construction and on-going maintenance costs. When comparing the high construction cost of a synthetic turf field with its accompanying lower maintenance costs to the comparatively lower construction cost and higher maintenance costs of a natural grass field, a key measurement to consider is cost per usage.

If you simply compare the cost of construction and maintenance for each type of field spread over a ten year period, you will fail to account for the vast increase in the amount of usage you may be able to realize with a synthetic turf field that may allow you to double, or perhaps even triple, the number of times a natural grass field can be used.

Where Do We Start? What Do We Do First?

When embarking on the process to consider whether or not a synthetic turf field would be right for your agency and community, it is critical to remember that no two situations are alike and, as a result, each question needs to be carefully considered based on the specific needs of your agency and community.

In general, the following are basic steps you can follow to start the process of determining whether a synthetic turf field is right for your agency and community: in other words in deciding - To turf or not to turf:

• Seek out information on the industry at educational sessions and trade shows, and review research on the subject.
• Interview prospective turf vendors.
• Discuss your ideas with an experienced design professional.
• Visit existing synthetic turf fields and talk to other owners.
• Gather historical and estimated anticipated costs and determine how much programming you would schedule on your fields under normal natural conditions and under the conditions achieved by the increased recovery time for synthetic surfaces.
• Perform a cost-benefit analysis.

Jim Rogers, CPRP, is deputy director of parks and recreation at the Elmhurst Park District, which installed two lit synthetic turf fields in 2008 at a cost of $2,000,000 in partnership with Elmhurst College.

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