Installing Turf Fields For Sports

Performance in sports is based on the premise that everyone plays under fair and equal guidelines. It has always been about the spirit of competition and battling it out until the best team wins. A major component of making sure that happens consistently is field conditions. The playing surface needs to be adequate and functional for both competitive and safety purposes.

Over the last few decades, artificial turf fields have become popular playing surfaces for sports complexes and outdoor/indoor community recreation centers. Natural grass was the preferred method for hundreds of years, mostly because the technology to install artificial grass wasn’t developed yet, and there were no field turf products on the market.

Then, the famous Houston Astrodome was constructed in the 1960s, introducing the world to artificial turf fields with its classic “AstroTurf.” Nobody had ever seen artificial grass on a sports field before, and people weren’t used to watching or playing on the new surface. But with its multidimensional capabilities and cost-effectiveness, other athletic stadiums would soon follow.

Greenland Artificial Grass understands the many benefits that turf fields bring to competitive sports, and we want to continue the tradition of evolving and improving playing surfaces. Modern technology allows us to take a deeper look at how turf soccer fields and turf football fields can offer a better playing experience in youth sports and local communities.

Benefits Of Artificial Turf Fields 

Synthetic turf fields for sports are supposed to replicate the feel of grass without the extra time and money spent on maintenance. The same goes for playgrounds and common gathering areas because artificial grass permits year-round use without the ground deteriorating. If you think about an outdoor music festival or a local county fair, what does the grass look like?

After a few days of people walking around on the same grass surface, you start to see decay and even dead patches. Sports fields are very similar because constant usage will also lead to deterioration and damage. Artificial turf provides several great benefits when it comes to sports, and Greenland is devoted to installing safe and sufficient artificial grass fields.

1. Durability 

Artificial turf for sports makes so much sense because it’s a long-term decision. When you’re constructing an indoor athletic facility or a group of outdoor fields, you need to be thinking about how many people can utilize the space. Youth sports are predominantly played on weekends via tournaments where multiple teams from surrounding communities and states travel to play.

Conservatively speaking, an average-size athletic complex hosts 30 to 65 games over the course of one weekend. That means the turf fields have to endure the brunt of hundreds of kids running around with cleats. Natural grass fields just can’t keep up with that kind of demand, and artificial turf fields start to make a lot of sense.

2. Cost-effective 

Money drives almost every decision, and sports are no different. At the core of every single sport, you have a playing surface that needs to meet certain standards. Whether it’s the dimensions of the field or the slope of the land, the surface must uphold under reasonable conditions. Artificial turf fields guarantee that happens year-round.

The efforts of Greenland’s talented team of field turf experts are meant to provide local communities and homes with proper artificial grass for active use. The main goal of our artificial turf services is to find cost-effective solutions to the problem of having to replace and restore natural grass. Your money should be spent elsewhere when a product like artificial turf is available.

Money becomes a major issue in maintaining sports fields because the surface has to be safe enough. Natural grass needs to be watered, mowed, and re-sodded constantly in order to be playable. Essentially, you have to hire a maintenance or landscaping crew to conduct this kind of work, or else you won’t be able to host games.

3. Less Maintenance

Several cities and park districts already have maintenance crews on their payroll. But if you’re an independent contractor or a small business trying to run a sports program, that’s money coming out of your pocket for maintenance. And if you’re the fiscal manager of a city or municipality’s budget, turf sports fields might be something to consider as well.

Pedestrians and other members of the community who don’t play sports also benefit from field turf installation. Playgrounds and parks equipped with turf fields are versatile and have many practical applications beyond athletics. Common areas that have fake grass for dogs are beneficial for people walking their dogs and taking advantage of public property.

Maybe your city workers are spread too thin with lawn maintenance and facility upkeep throughout the town. Installing turf fields for sports can help lift the burden and allow those employees to spend more time working on other areas. Artificial grass gives sports programs the flexibility to host more events and spend less money on maintaining the grounds.

FAQs

Is artificial turf good for sports?

Yes! Artificial turf is meant for multiple sports and activities on a year-round basis. Weather conditions and increased usage play less of a role because synthetic surfaces last longer and are durable. Natural grass gets torn up and soggy by inclement weather. The ability to maintain its shape at all times is one of the main reasons why artificial grass in sports is extremely valuable.

What sports use artificial turf?

Artificial turf can be used by almost every sport with the exception of golf. And even then, golf putting greens and driving mats make for great additions to your home or a city’s community areas. Turf soccer fields and turf football fields are the most common artificial grass fields. Turf baseball fields are also a worthy investment because they can withstand harsh elements.

The great thing about artificial turf is that you can play multiple sports on the same field. For example, a turf soccer field can also be used for football, lacrosse, field hockey, rugby, badminton, and ultimate frisbee. Baseball turf fields are usually a little different because you have dugouts, bases, and a backstop, but artificial grass works as a playing surface!

Are there more injuries on artificial turf?

On the professional level, there does seem to be statistical evidence supporting the claim that more athletes get injured on artificial turf. More specifically, non-contact injuries where the player is changing directions with great force and their ligaments and joints give out. But as far as youth sports are concerned, artificial turf is widely accepted as a safe playing surface.

Does it have the same natural give and earthy support as grass? No, but modern artificial field turf used at sports complexes today is manufactured to feel like grass. By using rubber pellets to insulate the blades of artificial turf, the ground has some bounce to it and provides cushion. Unlike the old Astrodome that had a thin layer of AstroTurf laid over concrete, turf fields now are made safer!

What happens if artificial turf floods?

Modern artificial turf is very flexible and resilient against large amounts of moisture. Torrential downpours or cold weather are both game wreckers for natural grass. You can pretty much cancel any games scheduled for the next day or two, but with synthetic turf, the water drains out quickly, and play can resume! Greenland prioritizes the drainage system on every artificial turf field we install.