repurposed turf? uploaded to flickr.com by {platinum}
In part one of this article we started to examine the pros and cons of synthetic turf, specifically with respect to the new installation at Watkins Elementary/Watkins Recreation Center. There’s more to say about plastic, though, and specifically when plastic is installed outside as a playing field.
Another concern with regard to synthetic turf heating up deals with that recycled rubber base. Fumes from the rubber may release when the field heats up. Proponents of turf fields note there is little supporting data to prove this occurs, but the thought of fields off-gassing right into the lungs of athletes worries some parents. Older turf fields have been found to contain high levels of lead and zinc. While these substances have been mostly eliminated in newer systems they are not completely gone, causing concern about exposure of athletes as well as leaching into drain water after a storm.
Even the NFL has wavered on the “natural vs. artificial” debate. Many professional stadiums have gone back and forth replacing old turf fields with grass, and then back again to turf. The NFL Players Association noted in a 2007 survey that 61% of their members had a negative opinion of turf fields. Many believed hitting a turf field was harder than a natural grass field. Depending on the type and depth of the “grass” injuries akin to rug burns can be common. The study also notes that while turf need not be watered, it does need to be cleaned (especially in long periods without rain). Anything that falls on a grass field gets absorbed into the soil; sweat, spit, Gatorade and anything else that falls on turf sits on it and dries until rain or a disinfectant washes it away.
The last aspect of the debate deals with one of the touted turf benefits—longevity. While grass needs to be reseeded and sod replaced often on a heavily used field, turf does not. It does, though, wear over time and the anticipated useful life of a synthetic field is 8-12 years. So what happens then? Grass decomposes into compost or soil. Plastic sits in a landfill unless it is recycled into something else.
So is synthetic turf good or bad for the environment? Certainly there are pros and cons to this question and the answer isn’t clear cut. In terms of water conservation and elimination of pesticides there are ecological and economic benefits, but the risks to players and the inherent chemicals may provide new challenges to users in the coming years.
There’s some clear confusion between Astroturf style fields and the newer Fieldturf and Nexturf fields.
The NFL grass vs. modern, grass-style turn discussion ignores an important fact. All, or nearly all, of the turf fields in the NFL are installed over concrete — usually in domed stadiums versus a more giving crushed stone base used for normal outdoor installations.
BTW — This is false. Liquid will drain through the field:
“Anything that falls on a grass field gets absorbed into the soil; sweat, spit, Gatorade and anything else that falls on turf sits on it and dries until rain or a disinfectant washes it away.”
Furthermore, it looks like the lead claims are mostly (or all) about old-style Astroturf not newer turf fields:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-05-07-artificial-turf-cover_N.htm
Having lived across from Watkins for five years, I have never seen such a diverse group of people doing such a diverse array of activities on Watkins as I have this spring.
It’s tremendous to see how a first-rate facility can infect a neighborhood with the desire to go out and play.
Glad the NIMBY’s lost this battle. It is a true gem and an asset for the entire community.
@Stan-
Actually, the data I found for temperature readings taken at New York City turf fields included readings at Astroturf fields as well as newer systems such as Fieldturf.
You are corect about the substrate making a difference, although hard-packed soil can be just as tough, especially without the benefit of regular rain (such as in a drought).
And the “false” about liquids is not totally false. This again depends on the system of turf used (not all are the same) as well as the substrate beneath. The drainage information was provided in the NFL study, which as you note may be over a concrete or crushed stone substrate.
Lead concerns have indeed been addressed in newer products, and the system installed at Watkins is lead-free according to DPR. That does not mean the system is free of other toxins, though, that are very common in plastic manufacturing.
My children have been students at Watkins since 2004 and until this year, the field was a dead zone to them. It was a giant pile of dirt and dust – kids didn’t play on it unless they had to.
The day after the new field opened, my 6 yo came home from school and collapsed into bed an hour early. Her explanation, “Oh Mommy, our field is so fun. I just ran and ran and ran until I couldn’t run anymore. I’m so tired now.”
The field would have to be made of tiny balls of DDT and lead for me to be upset about it. It’s a wonderful safe place for kids and adults to play. I’m so grateful to all the people who made it a reality. I can’t wait for Parks & Rec to complete the planned reconstruction of the playground equipment.
I’m sure the First Lady would approve…safe places for kids of all ages to get up and move around are a winner for every neighborhood.
@Jon —
With respect to temperature, it looks like the NYC papers are relying on a study at BYU (and possible Penn State) for the temperature information. I wonder if Utah’s arid, high-plateau (4,551 feet about sea level) climate had anything to do with the temperatures recorded there.
Presumably, their very low humidity levels means that the field stays very dry and heat up faster and to hotter temperatures.
One more interesting thing about temperature is actually field color. There is no requirement that Fieldturf or Nexturf fields be green. From my discussions with a product rep several years ago, the field can be just about any color you can — it’s just that most people want a “grass green” field. If you can the surface color, you should see a corresponding change in surface temperature.
With respect to the NFL surveys, they’re comparing a professionally maintained field to Fieldturf. No recreation field in the country is going to see the attention and care that an NFL field sees.
What I mean by that is that there is no one to replace damaged sod, ensure a consistent playing surface and repair broken irrigation system that are common on highly used recreation fields. So, comparing Fieldturf to the ideal of a natural grass field is not really a good comparison, since the ideal is not really achievable.
@Stan-
No, the NYC report I am referring to is not related to any studies in Utah. They took temperature measurements at several New York City Parks & Recreation synthetic fields in July 2010. Has nothing to do with Utah.
I wasn’t attempting to compare Watkins to an NFL field. The entire article relates pros and cons, and the NFL is a credible athletic field source that has not really made up it’s mind about synthetic turf, but does acknowledge both advantages and drawbacks.
Your “ideal” argument holds no water. It’s absolutely normal to compare synthetic turf to a grass field since the turf is REPLACING the grass. Are they the same? No. Are they in place for the same purpose? Yes. That is why the comparison is made.
Jon, the turf did not replace grass. It replaced a hardpacked dust bowl studded with broken glass.
Thank you for the thoughtful articles. I, too, see many sides to this issue, having read the studies you mention and more. Love seeing the mutli-generational activity on the field but hate the oily smell. Worry about the potential of higher heat in the summer, grateful that there will probably be less dust in my windows as I live right across the street. Miss the trees that were removed terribly, wonder about the chemicals runoff into the watershed. No EPA study done as the $1.6 million dollar project didn’t trigger the $1.7 million study requirement. Smells fishy to me. Wonder why the field isn’t opened as promised to the neighborhood during the morning and evening hours. Seems only organized sports have access so pick up games and walk-ons aren’t possible.
“Skepticism means not intellectual doubt alone, but moral doubt.”
–Thomas Carlyle
By the way to all the Watkins field watchers – Any word on when the Construction company is going to come back and pick up the last of their building supplies and the left over piles of astroturf?
It is a shame that the basketball courts get locked up now so that those in the neighborhood who were already active have been locked out!
Note to Ms. Case — I now participate in three different pick-up activities on the field in mornings and evenings — soccer Weds at 830pm and Sunday at 830am and frisbee on Saturday afternoons. There are a few dozen of us — you’re welcome to join.
Synthetic grass lawns are great things for people to have as they are just as good as regular grass lawns and are easier to maintain.