Column: Synthetic Turf

Pay Attention to High Use Areas in Synthetic Turf

By Arthur Eddy, ASLA, LEED AP

Sports turf managers know that this time of year can be challenging. The fall sports season is in full swing, and the changing weather takes a toll on athletic fields. This is true on natural grass and synthetic turf fields. Athletes and coaches are creatures of habit. Their skills are built on consistency, repetition and sometimes superstition. Sports turf professionals are observant and pay attention to what is happening in every aspect of a field. Continuous use in certain areas will take a toll on any athletic field and synthetic turf is no exception.

What happens to most high use areas? Regardless of grass or synthetic turf, the area seems to break down the fastest due to the overuse. Synthetic turf fiber has memory. If the infill has a ½" reveal, the turf will potentially wear and breakdown at the ½" level. If the turf has a 1" reveal, the turf will potentially wear and breakdown at the 1" level. In high use areas, infill is consistently moving, and typically lowering, causing the fiber to be exposed to earlier wear and breakdown than the rest of the field. When not consistently maintained, infill can change from 10mm-15mm over the course of a year. It is very important to keep an eye on infill levels throughout the athletic season.

Infill depths should be performed regularly

After testing and walking on hundreds of fields in my career, I’ve found that every field has a “lazy end”. This is the end closest to the gate or locker rooms. For whatever reason, coaches and athletes won’t walk to the far end of the field. They all practice on one side of the field. Practicing on one side of the field leads to high-use and more wear. Typically, the lazy end over time can have a 5mm – 10mm difference in infill. That difference can put a lot of stress on the synthetic turf fiber causing it to break down earlier than the other side of the field. On top of the lazy end, most synthetic turf fields are multi-use so those high use areas typically end up on top of each other. How to fix the wear at the lazy end? Simple rotations on the field can be an easy way to help a synthetic stay safer and last longer. Asking coaches to move practice to the other end of the field on a daily or weekly basis is ideal.

High use areas typically change by sport. Keep in mind that there are several high-use areas around the field that require varying levels of attention but, in this article, we are going to pay attention to some of the more impactful areas.

The dreaded Frankenturf

Lacrosse Goal Mouths: The lacrosse goal mouth areas for men and women are both extremely high use areas and if not paid attention to properly can be detrimental to the turf. This area has the most movement of infill so much so that it can get down to the backing. The constant chopping of the feet of the goalie continuously moves infill.

Soccer Penalty Kick: The soccer penalty kick is another area that gets continuous use and needs regular infill. The continuous kicking motion and practice over and over again can remove all the infill from that area.

Field Hockey Penalty Corner Attacker’s Mark: This is one of the areas that most people miss. The right-side penalty corner attackers mark can have little to no infill if not properly cared for.

Center Dot: The center dot of the field is another area that is highly impacted on the field. A wide range of sports are played there but, the lacrosse face-off can really move infill in that area.

Adding Infill in High Use Area

Infill levels are critical to the performance, safety and longevity of synthetic turf. Here are some infill tips:

1. High use areas should be checked a minimum of every other week during their respective seasons. Investing an infill depth gauge is the best tool to have to measure infill.

2. Infill depths from across the field should be recorded and logged to follow impacts on the field and provide a guideline for proper replenishment.

3. Infill should be regularly added to these areas by first brushing with a stiff fiber broom or a steel tined rake to get the fiber to stand up and allow the infill to settle into the turf. Then simply broadcast spread a 5-gallon bucket of infill over the areas and use the broom or rake to work the infill into the high use areas. Continue this process and check infills with the depth gauge as you go.

By now you all know that these synthetic turf fields are not “no maintenance” and just because the field is green, doesn’t mean it is performing. Don’t ignore proper care and maintenance of your field. I cannot tell you how many times we get asked to review a high use area when it is already too late. This begins the cycle of what we like to call “Frankenturf”. Patching and replacement are always a challenge as the turf will never be the same exact pile height or UV wear. Take the extra time to and pay attention to the field to avoid “Frankenturf”. •

Arthur Eddy is CEO of RePlay Maintenance in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Connect with Art at aeddy@replaymaintenanceusa.com or (877) 641-1819.