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community. Ensure the highest level of safety for all participants and reduce sports related injuries.
Presentation Goals
Understand the benefits and limitations associated
with natural turfgrass athletic fields Determine why a natural grass field is the most cost effective choice for high school field Understand the necessary practices and costs involved with maintaining a quality natural grass field Understand the importance of hiring or involving your qualified sports turf manager How to proceed with implementing or maintaining a natural grass athletic field
The benefits that will be covered include: Environmental benefits natural surfaces provide Human health benefits natural surfaces provide The limitations that will be covered include: Field overuse Influence of inclement weather
Environmental Benefits
Groundwater and Surface Water Sources:
Dense aboveground turf
biomass traps water and reduces excess runoff which allows more water to infiltrate the soil.
Extensive fibrous turfgrass root
system filters water percolating through the soil to enhance groundwater recharge.
Environmental Benefits
Fertilizer or Pesticide Concerns:
Proper fertilizer and pesticide applications keep water safe.
Contamination of groundwater occurs with excessive overwatering, heavy rainfall events, or when turf is dormant. Therefore, there is a low potential for nutrient elements to pass through the rootzone into groundwater or be transported by runoff into surface water. support large populations of microscopic decomposers. These decomposers break down pesticides and other noxious organic chemicals into harmless substances.
Turfgrass leaves, crowns, stems, roots, thatch, soil, and soil microbes
Environmental Benefits
Soil Erosion Control and Dust Stabilization:
The turfgrass rootzone and canopy are
one of the most cost effective ways to control water and wind erosion of soil.
High shoot density and root mass provides
and rivers.
quality.
Acts as a trap for dust and other particulate matter to improve air
Environmental Benefits
Atmospheric Pollution Control
Turfgrass contributes to reductions in noise levels by
oxygen.
Environmental Benefits
Restoration of Disturbed Soils
Turfgrass improves soils through the addition of organic matter. As plant tissue dies, it is incorporated into the rootzone. This organic matter improves soil structure and provides nutrients to turfgrass systems. Planting turfgrass accelerates the restoration of environmentally damaged areas (i.e. burned-over land, garbage dumps, eroded rural landscapes, mining operations, and steep timber harvest areas).
Cesar Chavez Park, Berkeley, CA This Bay-side park is built on top of one of the Bay Areas largest landfills.
Environmental Benefits
Urban Heat Dissipation
Natural turf surfaces dissipate high levels of radiant
dangerous for athletes and increase the potential for heat stroke, muscle cramping and overall fatigue.
117.38F
117.04F 78.19F 109.62F
157F
156F 88.5F
C. Frank Williams and Gilbert E. Pulley
reduce the number of nuisance pests that reside in taller grasses, such as ticks, which can carry Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF).
Well maintained turf areas are less likely to have weeds
and mental health of participants. Research shows that natural turf relieves stress and contributes to the enjoyment of life. low cost, safe playing surfaces for athletes.
traction, cushioning, and resiliency, and lower surface hardness, reducing the probability of injury in contact sports.
Injury
The most frequent injuries sustained on sports fields
are those to the ankles and knees from rotating and changing directions on the field surface. A recent study at Michigan State University compared the effects of different infill materials to natural grass fields to measure rotational resistance of cleated shoes. Results: Torque was significantly affected by field surface components. Native soil fields reported the lowest torque overall.
Player Preference
In 2008, a survey was conducted to evaluate the preferred playing surface among NFL players.
Out of 1565 players from all 32 teams:
Player Preference
On that same survey, players were asked how they thought synthetic and natural grass surfaces affected their physical health:
Artificial Infill Natural Grass Surface Surface Surface more likely to contribute to injury Surface more likely to cause soreness and fatigue Surface more likely to shorten career Surface more likely to negatively affect quality of life after football 84% 91% 92% 61% 6% 7% 5% 2%
Natural with 4-6 inch Sand Cap - $4.00 - $6.50 per sq. ft. Cost for one football field (57,600 sq. ft.) - $230,400 - $374,400
Natural with Sand and Drainage - $7.00 $10.00 per sq. ft. Cost for one football field (57,600 sq. ft.) - $403,200 - $576,000 Synthetic Infill - $6.50 - $11.00 per square foot Cost for one football field (57,600 sq. ft.) - $374,400 - $633,600
Mowing Fertilization Irrigation Aerification Topdressing Seeding Pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides) Line painting Drainage repair and maintenance
Additional Infill Irrigation Chemical Disinfectants Products to reduce static activity and odors Drainage repair and maintenance Erasing and repainting temporary lines Removing organic matter accumulation Grooming
replacement Infill systems filled and topdressed with crumb rubber material that is typically made from ground automobile tires may require special disposal. Disposal costs are estimated to be $130,000 plus transportation and landfill charges.
Total Labor Cost: $5,245.52 Total Supply Cost: $18,009.06 Total 2009 Maintenance Cost Estimate: $23,254.58 Cost per Square Foot: $.11 Cost per Football Field: $6,336
Miscellaneous Supplies
Stadium Preparation Field Lighting
Sand Based Soccer Field Area: 114,000 square feet Total Maintenance Cost (including labor and materials): $20,378.49 Cost per square foot: $.18
If you do not already have a sports turf manager for your facility, it is
important to have a qualified professional who can be involved in decisions and gathering of information and costs. If constructing a field, your sports turf manager can serve as a grow-in consultant to work with the architect and contractors to oversee the entire construction process. On a daily basis, your sports turf manager can oversee the care of the athletic fields, maintain the budget, manage staff, and communicate with users. Investing in your sports turf manager is important in keeping them current on industry trends and research. Make sure your sports field manager is involved with STMA for networking and continuing education opportunities. STMA also provides the opportunity to become certified. Certified Sports Field Managers (CSFMs) are recognized in the industry for continuing to improve professionally.
Why a natural grass field is the best decision for our high school:
Beneficial to the environment Benefits health of users Depending on field type, construction costs are
reasonable Annual maintenance for natural surfaces are cost effective The majority of athletes prefer playing on a natural grass surface
decisions and the gathering of information and costs. Organize a meeting to educate community, coaches, administration, athletes, and parents about the benefits of a natural turfgrass athletic field. Define resources needed to maintain a quality surface for your facility. Develop a budget. If constructing a field, meet and/or hire architects or contractors that have expertise in athletic field construction. Schedule meetings to keep those involved updated on progress. Form committees to assist in logistics and fundraising.