I saw this on another web site that drop in on now and again about urban playspaces. Someone from New York City just posted the following question. I'd really love your insights.
We've been told that the ball fields in our park on the west side of Manhattan cannot be real grass because they get such heavy use. They have lights so they are in use all day and until 11 p.m. during three seasons. We have baseball/softball diamonds, but there are soccer leagues that use it as well as several football leagues. I've bought their argument, despite my feeling that such a huge expanse of rubber/plastic will contribute greatly to urban heat island phenomenon, to say nothing about the increased injuries to the athletes. I also find artificial turf just plain ugly, but I have reserved that argument as being unpersuasive. Now, I see that the Parks Department is having second thoughts: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/nyregion/23turf.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=turf&st=nyt&oref=slogin What experience have you folks had with artificial turf on athletic fields? Alternatively, what experience have you had with real grass being maintained/sustained for more than five or ten years? Peace, David Tillyer, the DeWitt Clinton Park Conservancy
We've been told that the ball fields in our park on the west side of Manhattan cannot be real grass because they get such heavy use. They have lights so they are in use all day and until 11 p.m. during three seasons. We have baseball/softball diamonds, but there are soccer leagues that use it as well as several football leagues.
I've bought their argument, despite my feeling that such a huge expanse of rubber/plastic will contribute greatly to urban heat island phenomenon, to say nothing about the increased injuries to the athletes. I also find artificial turf just plain ugly, but I have reserved that argument as being unpersuasive.
Now, I see that the Parks Department is having second thoughts:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/nyregion/23turf.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=turf&st=nyt&oref=slogin
What experience have you folks had with artificial turf on athletic fields?
Alternatively, what experience have you had with real grass being maintained/sustained for more than five or ten years?
Peace, David Tillyer, the DeWitt Clinton Park Conservancy
I can really sympathize with this situation. Jeepers. What's a kid's playing field without real grass? *smile* I guess I can answer my own question: a kid's playing field without real grass is called MUD.
You all have more experience than I do with maintaining playspaces. Is there any wisdom we can pass on to David?
This is certainly an interesting debate that will probably be ongoing and not easily solved. I don't think there is any question that artificial surfaces are easier to maintain. Real grass requires an extreme amount of thought and care, from watering, fertilizing, mowing, to drainage. Often big fields will need a sprinkler system which can be very expensive. I remember playing on grass fields in high school and towards the end of the football season, we would basically be playing on dirt and hard ground as most of the grass would be gone by then - due in large part to the lack of maintenance. I think geographics certainly are something to consider then. Depending on the part of the country and the consequent weather the area receives, grass or artificial turf may be preferred. I feel like artificial turf is very expensive to install initially, but I guess it does save money later on because of the lack of maintenance needed.
The heat issue mentioned in the article is a legitimate concern. I wonder if there are newer types of artificial turf made with materials that don't generate/trap as much heat. I think heat islands is an issue all coaches, players, and parents should be made aware of so that hydration is further emphasized when playing/practicing on artificial surfaces. Another issue worth noting is that of injuries. According to many national studies that have been done on natural grass vs. artificial turf, there is no significant difference in the number of serious injuries between the two surfaces (apparently, serious injury is casuing a player to miss 1 or more games). Minor injuries however, have been found to be more common on artificial turf. Having played on artificial turf, this is not surprising to me. My experience is that turf is harder and scraps from falling are more likely. (You can certainly run faster too!)
My advice is to really do some research. There are probably loads of different turf vendors (just like grass). Be sure to ask about these issues. If grass is the route you're going, definitely have a detailed maintenance plan in place with infomation on watering, mowing, draining, fertilizing, etc. My rule would be: the more detailed, the better. Make sure that in the plan, a person or title is attached to each responsibility. If no one is identified as having that responsibility, it's much more likely that it will NOT be done.
Hope this helps.
-Bing