(Name of High School)
What are our goals?
 Maintain top quality athletic facilities for students and
community.
 Ensure the highest level of safety for all participants
and reduce sports related injuries.
Sherando High School, Stephens City, VA
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
Natural Turfgrass Fields
Natural turfgrass fields are living organisms that require air, water and nutrients
to survive.
Quality natural turfgrass fields can be achieved with time dedicated to proper
maintenance practices, limited inputs and a basic understanding of turfgrass
care.
Crumb Football Field, Lexington, MA
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 Preservation and Recharge:
 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.
Photo from A.J. Turgeon,
Ph.D. Penn State University
 Turfgrass ecosystems support earthworms, which contribute to
better water infiltration and improved soil structure.
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.
 Turfgrass roots are highly efficient at uptake of applied nutrients.
Therefore, there is a low potential for nutrient elements to pass
through the rootzone into groundwater or be transported by
runoff into surface water.
 Turfgrass leaves, crowns, stems, roots, thatch, soil, and soil
microbes support large populations of microscopic decomposers.
These decomposers break down pesticides and other noxious
organic chemicals into harmless substances.
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
surface stabilization to help reduce water and
wind erosion.
 Acts as a vegetative filter to reduce quantity of sediment entering
surface streams and rivers.
 Acts as a trap for dust and other particulate matter to improve air
quality.
Environmental Benefits
Atmospheric Pollution Control
 Turfgrass contributes to reductions in noise levels by
absorbing, deflecting, reflecting, and refracting various
sounds.
 Reduction in discomforting glare and light reflection.
 Reduces atmospheric carbon dioxide and releases oxygen.
During active growth, 25 square feet of healthy turfgrass
will provide enough oxygen for an adult person for one day.
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 as organic matter. 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 Area’s largest landfills.
Environmental Benefits
Urban Heat Dissipation
 Natural turf surfaces dissipate high levels of radiant
heat through the cooling process of transpiration.
 High levels of heat on a synthetic turf playing surface
can be dangerous for athletes and increase the
potential for heat stroke, muscle cramping and overall
fatigue.
Temperature Comparison:
Natural vs. Synthetic
In a 2002 study at Brigham Young University, temperatures were recorded for
the BYU practice fields in June. Average air temperature was 81.42°F.
Average Surface Temperature between 7:00 am
and 7:00 pm
Average
High
Soccer Field (Synthetic)
117.38°F
157°F
Football Field (Synthetic)
117.04°F
156°F
Natural Turf
78.19°F
88.5°F
Asphalt
109.62°F
C. Frank Williams and Gilbert E. Pulley
Human Health Benefits
 Closely mown areas of turfgrass
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
that are responsible for allergy-related pollens.
Human Health Benefits
 Aesthetics and recreational opportunities enhance physical
and mental health of participants. Research shows that
natural turfgrass relieves stress and contributes to the
enjoyment of life.
 Well maintained natural turfgrass athletic fields provide
low cost, safe playing surfaces for athletes.
 Fields with good quality turfgrass cover have higher
traction, cushioning, and resiliency, and lower surface
hardness, reducing the probability of injury in contact
sports.
Surface Hardness
 Surface hardness is important when considering injuries,
particularly head injuries.
 Fields can be tested for hardness using a Clegg Impact Tester or
F355 device, both of which generate a value called Gmax. The
Gmax generated from each device is not interchangeable.
 Upper limit for the Clegg Impact Tester – 100 Gmax
 Upper limit for the F355 device – ASTM sets the limit at 200 Gmax,
Synthetic Turf Council sets the limit at 164 Gmax
Natural Turfgrass Field
Trafficked area – 50-84 Gmax (using
Clegg Impact Tester)
No traffic – 50-70 Gmax (using Clegg
Impact Tester)
Field hardness managed with soil
moisture, mowing height, turfgrass
density, and soil amendments
Synthetic Turf Field
Recently installed field – typically
between 45-60 Gmax (using the Clegg
Impact Tester)
Over time, Gmax can elevate to 100+
(using the Clegg Impact Tester) due to
use, relocation of crumb rubber, and
separation of infill materials
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 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 2010, a survey was conducted to evaluate the
preferred playing surface among NFL players.
Out of 1619 players from all 32 teams:
69% preferred to play on natural grass
fields.
14% preferred to play on artificial infill.
9% had no preference.
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
82%
16%
Surface more likely to cause soreness and
fatigue
89%
9%
Surface more likely to shorten career
89%
7%
Surface more likely to negatively affect
quality of life after football
64%
4%
Natural Turfgrass Field Limitations
– What should we expect?
Overuse
Scheduling too many events leads to
overuse of fields.
The overuse of many community
sports facilities can push the
limits of turf to recover. Excessive
traffic leads to compaction and
bare areas, which can cause a
surface to be unsafe and
unplayable.
Solutions: rotate fields; limit field
use to only necessary events;
change daily location of practices
on field; use portable goals to
move around field; have players do
individual warm-ups off of the field;
execute team drills outside of painted
numbers; spread seed in wear areas
before games and practices
Natural Turfgrass Field Limitations
– What should we expect?
Standing water
Inclement weather can lead to
standing water and muddy
conditions if the drainage
system is not effective. This
causes surfaces to be unsafe and
unplayable.
Solution: make sure the field is
sloped properly to move water
off the field; check that the
drainage systems operate
efficiently; utilize rain tarps
Natural Turfgrass Athletic Field
Construction
 Well-constructed sports fields with proper
maintenance will perform as expected and provide the
type of playing surface parents, coaches, and players
desire. Short-cuts during the construction phase lead
to costly problems in the long run.
 Important considerations for field construction:
 Selection of a knowledgeable contractor
 Ensuring the field has the correct slope or crown
 Selection of growing medium for the rootzone
 Deciding if irrigation is an option and the source
 Selection of turfgrass species
Natural Turfgrass Athletic Field
Costs
Why is a natural turfgrass field the most cost effective
solution for our facility?
Natural turfgrass football field at Philipsburg-Osceola High School in Philipsburg, PA
Construction Cost Comparison
 Natural with On-site Native Soil (no added top soil or sod) - $0.60 - $0.90 per
sq. ft.
 Cost for one football field (57,600 sq. ft.) - $34,560 - $51,840
 Natural Turfgrass with Native Soils - $1.25 - $2.50 per sq. ft.
 Cost for one football field (57,600 sq. ft.) - $72,000 - $144,000
 Natural with 4-6 inch Sand Cap - $2.60 - $3.85 per sq. ft.
 Cost for one football field (57,600 sq. ft.) - $149,760 - $221,760
 Natural with Sand and Drainage - $4.25 – $5.00 per sq. ft.
 Cost for one football field (57,600 sq. ft.) - $244,800 - $288,000
 Synthetic Infill System (carpet, infill, and base) - $4.50 - $10.25 per sq. ft.
 Cost for one football field (57,600 sq. ft.) - $259,200 - $590,400
Annual Maintenance Comparison
Natural Turfgrass Fields
Synthetic Turf Fields
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Mowing
Fertilization
Irrigation
Aerification
Topdressing
Seeding
Pesticides (herbicides,
insecticides, fungicides)
 Line painting
 Drainage repair and
maintenance
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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
Long Term Maintenance Comparison
Natural Turf grass Fields
Synthetic Turf Fields
 Renovation
 Repairs (seams)
 Replacement every 8-10 years
 Disposal cost upon
 Field Repairs
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.
Case Study – North Scott
Community School District
North Scott Community School District is located in Eldridge,
Iowa.
The District maintains a native soil baseball field, softball field,
and 214,000 square feet of native soil practice fields. The school
also has a football stadium field with a 4 inch sand cap and a
new, sand based soccer field. School grounds and sports turf
requiring maintenance totals 115 acres.
All of the grounds maintenance is done in house by three full time
and three summer seasonal staff members.
Information provided by John Netwal, CGCS, Director of Operations for North Scott Community School District.
Disclaimer: Maintenance, material and labor costs are highly variable depending on region of the country and type of facility. The following costs
are based off of North Scott Community School District, and are meant to provide a realistic representation for costs involved with building
and maintaining athletic fields.
Case Study – North Scott
Community School District
Field Maintenance Cost Estimates:
Native Soil Practice Fields
Area: 214,000 square feet
Total Maintenance Cost (including labor and
materials): $23,254.58
Cost per square foot: $.11
Case Study – North Scott
Community School District
Maintenance Activities for Native Soil Fields:
 Mow
 Irrigate
 Football and Soccer Field Preparation
(painting, etc.)
 Aerate
 Overseed
 Fertilizer Applications
 Growth Regulator Applications
 Add Soil Amendments
 Insecticide Applications
 Herbicide Applications
 Miscellaneous Supplies
Total Labor Cost: $5,245.52
Total Supply Cost: $18,009.06
Total Annual Maintenance Cost Estimate: $23,254.58
Cost per Square Foot: $.11
Cost per Football Field: $6,336
Case Study – North Scott
Community School District
Field Maintenance Cost Estimates:
4 inch Sand Cap Football Stadium Field
Area: 70,000 square feet
Total Maintenance Cost (including labor and
materials): $13,997.77
Cost per square foot: $.20
Case Study – North Scott
Community School District
Maintenance Activities for Sand Cap Football Field:
 Mow
 Herbicide Applications
 Irrigation
 Growth Regulator Applications
 Aerate
 Game Field Preparation (paint, etc.)
 Overseed
 Insecticide Applications
 Sod Replacement on Sidelines
 Miscellaneous Supplies
 Fertilizer Applications
 Stadium Preparation
 Add Soil Amendments
 Field Lighting
Total Labor Cost: $4,920.36
Total Supply Cost: $9,077.77
Total Annual Maintenance Cost Estimate: $13,997.77
Cost per Square Foot: $.20
Case Study – North Scott
Community School District
Field Maintenance Cost Estimates:
Sand Based Soccer Field
Area: 114,000 square feet
Total Maintenance Cost (including labor and
materials): $20,378.49
Cost per square foot: $.18
Case Study – North Scott
Community School District
Maintenance Activities for Sand Based Soccer Field:
 Mow
 Topdressing
 Irrigation
 Fungicide Applications
 Fertilizer Applications
 Herbicide Applications
 Paint
 Insecticide Applications
 Aerate
 Fence-line Maintenance
 Overseed
 Miscellaneous Products
 Growth Regulator Applications
 Field Lighting
Total Labor Cost: $6,113.20
Total Supply Cost: $14,265.29
Total Annual Maintenance Cost Estimate: $20,378.49
Cost per Square Foot: $.18
Involving Your STMA Sports Turf
Manager
 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
What are the next steps?
 Involve or hire an STMA Sports Turf Manager to help with
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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 the
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.