natural grass athletic fields ppoint final

8/12/2019 Natural Grass Athletic Fields Ppoint Final

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(Name of High School)


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What are our goals?

Maintain top quality athletic facilities for students andcommunity.

Ensure the highest level of safety for all participantsand reduce sports related injuries.

Sherando High School, Stephens City, VA


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Presentation Goals

Understand the benefits and limitations associatedwith natural turfgrass athletic fields

Determine why a natural grass field is the most costeffective choice for high school field

Understand the necessary practices and costs involvedwith maintaining a quality natural grass field

Understand the importance of hiring or involving yourqualified sports turf manager

How to proceed with implementing or maintaining anatural grass athletic field


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Natural Turfgrass FieldsNatural turfgrass fields are living organisms that require air, water and nutrients

to survive.

Quality natural turfgrass fields can be achieved with time dedicated to propermaintenance practices, limited inputs and a basic understanding of turfgrasscare.

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

Crumb Football Field, Lexington, MA


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Environmental BenefitsGroundwater and Surface Water Sources:

Dense aboveground turf

biomass traps water and

reduces excess runoff which

allows more water to infiltratethe soil.

Extensive fibrous turfgrass root

system filters water percolating

through the soil to enhance groundwater recharge.

Turfgrass ecosystems support earthworms, which contribute tobetter water infiltration and improved soil structure.

Photo from A.J. Turgeon,Ph.D. Penn State University


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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 passthrough the rootzone into groundwater or be transported by runoffinto surface water.

Turfgrass leaves, crowns, stems, roots, thatch, soil, and soil microbessupport large populations of microscopic decomposers. Thesedecomposers break down pesticides and other noxious organicchemicals into harmless substances.


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Environmental BenefitsSoil Erosion Control and Dust Stabilization:

The turfgrass rootzone and canopy areone of the most cost effective ways to control

water and wind erosion of soil.

High shoot density and root mass providessurface stabilization to help reduce water and

wind erosion.

Acts as a filter to reduce quantity of sediment entering surface streamsand rivers.

Acts as a trap for dust and other particulate matter to improve airquality.


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Atmospheric Pollution Control

Turfgrass contributes to reductions in noise levels byabsorbing, deflecting, reflecting, and refractingvarious sounds.

Reduction in discomforting glare and light reflection.

Reduces atmospheric carbon dioxide and releasesoxygen.


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Environmental BenefitsRestoration of Disturbed Soils

Turfgrass improves soils through the addition of organic matter. As plant tissuedies, it is incorporated into the rootzone. This organic matter improves soilstructure and provides nutrients to turfgrass systems.

Planting turfgrass accelerates the restoration of environmentally damagedareas (i.e. burned-over land, garbage dumps, eroded rural landscapes, miningoperations, 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.


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Urban Heat Dissipation

Natural turf surfaces dissipate high levels of radiantheat through the cooling process of transpiration.

High levels of heat on the playing surface can be

dangerous for athletes and increase the potential forheat stroke, muscle cramping and overall fatigue.


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Temperature Comparison:

Natural vs. Synthetic

Average Surface Temperature between 7:00 amand 7:00 pm

Average High

Soccer Field (Synthetic) 117.38F 157F

Football Field (Synthetic) 117.04F 156FNatural Turf 78.19F 88.5F

Asphalt 109.62F

In a 2002 study at Brigham Young University, temperatures were recorded forthe BYU practice fields in June. Average air temperature was 81.42F.

C. Frank Williams and Gilbert E. Pulley


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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 weedsthat are responsible for allergy-related pollens.


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Human Health Benefits

Aesthetics and recreational opportunities enhance physicaland mental health of participants. Research shows thatnatural turf relieves stress and contributes to theenjoyment of life.

Well maintained natural turfgrass athletic fields providelow cost, safe playing surfaces for athletes.

Fields with good quality turfgrass cover have highertraction, cushioning, and resiliency, and lower surfacehardness, reducing the probability of injury in contactsports.


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Injury

The most frequent injuries sustained on sports fieldsare those to the ankles and knees from rotating andchanging directions on the field surface.

A recent study at Michigan State University comparedthe effects of different infill materials to natural grassfields to measure rotational resistance of cleatedshoes.

Results: Torque was significantly affected by fieldsurface components. Native soil fields reported thelowest torque overall.


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Player Preference

In 2008, a survey was conducted to evaluate thepreferred playing surface among NFL players.

Out of 1565 players from all 32 teams:

71% preferred to play on natural grassfields.

15% preferred to play on artificial infill.

11% had no preference.


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Player Preference

On that same survey, players were asked how theythought synthetic and natural grass surfaces affectedtheir physical health:

Artificial InfillSurface

Natural GrassSurface

Surface more likely to contribute to injury 84% 6%

Surface more likely to cause soreness and

fatigue

91% 7%

Surface more likely to shorten career 92% 5%

Surface more likely to negatively affectquality of life after football

61% 2%


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Natural Turfgrass Field Limitations

What should we expect?

OveruseScheduling too many events leads to

overuse of fields.

The overuse of many communitysports facilities can push thelimits of turf to recover. Excessivetraffic leads to compaction andbare areas, which can cause asurface to be unsafe andunplayable.

Solutions: rotate fields; limit fielduse to only necessary events;change daily location of practiceson field; use portable goals to

move around field; have players doindividual warm-ups off of the field;execute team drills outside of paintednumbers; spread seed in wear areasbefore games and practices


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Natural Turfgrass Field Limitations

What should we expect?

Standing water

Inclement weather can lead tostanding water and muddy

conditions if the drainagesystem is not effective. Thiscauses surfaces to be unsafe andunplayable.

Solution: make sure there is a

sufficient crown to move wateroff the field effectively; checkthat the drainage systemsoperate efficiently; utilize raintarps


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Natural Turfgrass Athletic Field

CostsWhy is a natural turfgrass field the most cost effectivesolution for our facility?

Natural turfgrass football field at Philipsburg-Osceola High School in Philipsburg, PA


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Construction Cost Comparison Natural with On-site Native Soil (no added top soil or sod) -$0.90 - $1.50 per

sq. ft. Cost for one football field (57,600 sq. ft.) - $51,840 - $86,400

Natural Turfgrass with Native Soils - $2.25 - $5.25 per sq. ft. Cost for one football field (57,600 sq. ft.) - $129,600 - $302,400

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


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Annual Maintenance Comparison

Natural Turf Fields Synthetic Turf Fields

Mowing

Fertilization

Irrigation

Aerification

Topdressing

Seeding

Pesticides (herbicides,insecticides, fungicides)

Line painting

Drainage repair andmaintenance

Additional Infill

Irrigation

Chemical Disinfectants

Products to reduce static activityand odors

Drainage repair andmaintenance

Erasing and repainting

temporary lines Removing organic matter

accumulation

Grooming


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Long Term Maintenance Comparison

Natural Turf Fields Synthetic Turf Fields

Renovation

Field Repairs

Repairs (seams)

Replacement every 8-10 years

Disposal cost uponreplacement Infill systemsfilled and topdressed withcrumb rubber material that istypically made from groundautomobile tires may requirespecial disposal. Disposalcosts are estimated to be$130,000 plus transportationand landfill charges.


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Case StudyNorth 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 schoolalso has a football stadium field with a 4 inch sand cap and anew, sand based soccer field. School grounds and sports turfrequiring 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 costsare based off of North Scott Community School District, and are meant to provide a realistic representation for costs involved with buildingand maintaining athletic fields.


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Community School District2009 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


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Mow

Irrigate

Aerate Fertilizer Applications

Add Soil Amendments

Herbicide Applications

Football and Soccer Field Preparation(painting, etc.)

Overseed Growth Regulator Applications

Insecticide Applications

Miscellaneous Supplies

Total Labor Cost: $5,245.52Total Supply Cost: $18,009.06

Total 2009 Maintenance Cost Estimate: $23,254.58Cost per Square Foot: $.11Cost per Football Field: $6,336

2009 Maintenance Activities for Native Soil Fields:


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2009 Field Maintenance Cost Estimates:

4 inch Sand Cap Football Stadium Field


Total Maintenance Cost (including labor andmaterials): $13,997.77



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Mow

Irrigation

Aerate

Overseed

Sod Replacement on Sidelines

Fertilizer Applications

Add Soil Amendments

Herbicide Applications

Growth Regulator Applications

Game Field Preparation (paint, etc.)

Insecticide Applications

Miscellaneous Supplies

Stadium Preparation

Field Lighting

2009 Maintenance Activities for Sand Cap Football Field:


Total 2009 Maintenance Cost Estimate: $13,997.77Cost per Square Foot: $.20


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2009 Field Maintenance Cost Estimates:

Sand Based Soccer Field


Total Maintenance Cost (including labor andmaterials): $20,378.49



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Mow

Irrigation

Fertilizer Applications Paint

Aerate

Overseed

Growth Regulator Applications

Topdressing

Fungicide Applications

Herbicide Applications Insecticide Applications

Fence-line Maintenance

Miscellaneous Products

Field Lighting

2009 Maintenance Activities for Sand Based Soccer Field:


Total 2009 Maintenance Cost Estimate: $20,378.49Cost per Square Foot: $.18


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Involving Your STMA Sports Turf

Manager If you do not already have a sports turf manager for your facility, it isimportant to have a qualified professional who can be involved in decisionsand 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 entireconstruction process.

On a daily basis, your sports turf manager can oversee the care of theathletic fields, maintain the budget, manage staff, and communicate withusers.

Investing in your sports turf manager is important in keeping them currenton industry trends and research. Make sure your sports field manager isinvolved with STMA for networking and continuing educationopportunities. STMA also provides the opportunity to become certified.Certified Sports Field Managers (CSFMs) are recognized in the industry forcontinuing to improve professionally.


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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 arereasonable

Annual maintenance for natural surfaces are cost

effective The majority of athletes prefer playing on a natural

grass surface


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What are the next steps?

Involve or hire an STMA Sports Turf Manager to help withdecisions 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.

natural grass athletic fields ppoint final

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