Pictures from an athletic field contractor

[Complete Turf Care]

We moved the warning track material from the parking lot onto the track and smoothed it with the ABI machine.

This is the finished product. I should have taken some "before" pictures.

 

[WinterDeere]

I coached youth football both up north and down here. Some levels the coach was on the field.

Up there, everything is grass unless it's indoors (kids played their last game every year in the Dakota Dome).

Down here it seems 90% are on some version of field turf. It gets miserable after 10a. Those little hot rubber balls get in your shoes, too.

Imho, youth sports should only be on grass. Heck, painted dirt is better than the carpet.

My son plays high school soccer, and has had several games at schools that use the plastic turf. My God does that stuff ever get hot! I dread afternoon games at some of those schools at the beginning of the season when days are still hot and long, and can't help but imagine that those who chose that stuff must be regretting their choice.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

My son plays high school soccer, and has had several games at schools that use the plastic turf. My God does that stuff ever get hot! I dread afternoon games at some of those schools at the beginning of the season when days are still hot and long, and can't help but imagine that those who chose that stuff must be regretting their choice.

I have said many times to anyone who would listen, "If your main concern is the safety and well-being of the players, you will never use fake grass"

However, more and more schools are going to fake grass, and I think the main reason is that the coaches don't want to do the maintenance on them anymore. And the fake grass looks really nice.

 

[WinterDeere]

And the fake grass looks really nice.

It looks nice, and I suspect a lot of schools see it as a status symbol, as I see it at a lot of private schools. "Look at us, we have an expensive astro turf installation. Don't you want to enroll here?"

It seems like a good idea, until you experience it first-hand.

 

[Torvy]

My son plays high school soccer, and has had several games at schools that use the plastic turf. My God does that stuff ever get hot! I dread afternoon games at some of those schools at the beginning of the season when days are still hot and long, and can't help but imagine that those who chose that stuff must be regretting their choice.

Now imagine that in Texas heat.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I have seen some fake grass in elementary school "playgrounds". One really nice, brand new school, around here used it in a courtyard where the kids can play. Below all the windows the turf was melted where the sun would reflect down. That was before the school was even opened.

 

[EddieWalker]

We moved the warning track material from the parking lot onto the track and smoothed it with the ABI machine.
View attachment 3656791View attachment 3656792View attachment 3656793

This is the finished product. I should have taken some "before" pictures.
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I really like the concrete curb on either side of this. I've thought about doing that for my driveway when I'm caught up with all my other projects. Which means it probably will never happen. It just seems like a great way to keep the rock in my driveway, and not on my grass. I just wonder how hard it will be to dig the trenches, mix and pour the concrete? I'm sure it will be painful, but it's something that I really like and think about doing.

 

[Gregster613]

I have said many times to anyone who would listen, "If your main concern is the safety and well-being of the players, you will never use fake grass"

However, more and more schools are going to fake grass, and I think the main reason is that the coaches don't want to do the maintenance on them anymore. And the fake grass looks really nice.

You're absolutely right on that - time is money and the coaches are watching the time as well as the students! They don't want to do "anymore" than is necessary - just as the rest of the classified staff pays attention to time and requirements! It's all set. Do what is needed and that's it!
Don't let my rant disturb the facts of this issue -- You and your crew do "Excellent" work and it does get noticed far across the globe!

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I really like the concrete curb on either side of this.

The curb does help keep the material in place, but it will also hold water. Be sure to leave some slots every so often to allow the water to get off.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Yesterday was topdressing 4 loads of sand.

Today was more lip removal. Tomorrow is more topdressing.