DURABILITY OF GRASS VS. SYNTHETIC FIELDS

The conversation right now is unbalanced and uninformed. We are working to gather more information about synthetic fields currently in use as well as properly installed and maintained grass fields, to identify and track field usage/number of hours played, and to gather proof of durability for real fields rather than the projected estimates and promises of synthetic turf companies. We have a crew collecting information about actual logged hours of usage to get a real comparison. This page is a work in progress—check back for updates.

LIMITED ACCESS TO SYNTHETIC PLAYING FIELDS

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Mar 5, 2017

CITIES KEEPING ARTIFICIAL FIELDS LOCKED TO AVOID EXPENSIVE REPAIRS

Mar 5, 2017

Merced Sun Star, March 5, 2017

"If the city left the fields unlocked, Conway said, there’s no doubt they would quickly deteriorate. And turf is expensive to repair.

'We must call someone to do the repair and reglue the turf,' he said. 'It starts getting expensive, and we’re hiring an expert to do it.' "

Mar 5, 2017

TEAMS USING GRASS FIELDS

PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS:

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"AFC AJAX SCRAPS RUBBER ARTIFICIAL TURF OVER LONG-TERM HEALTH CONCERNS"

NL Times, October 14, 2016

"Ajax decided to replace the artificial turf on four training fields in training complex De Toekomst. These turfs contain the much discussed rubber granules. And the Amsterdam team decided to rather remove the turfs as a precaution after a number of scientists expressed concerns about possible health risks to players, AD reports."

"PITTSBURGH STEELERS: THE ART OF TURF" (VIDEO)

Pittsburgh Steelers, August 18, 2016

Great 3 minute video showing the extraordinary grass turf at the Steelers' Heinz Field.

"NEW FIELD GETS RAVE REVIEWS FROM PLAYERS AFTER STADIUM PRACTICE" (1/3)

Baltimore Ravens, August 2, 2016

"The Ravens switched to a natural grass surface this offseason, and the players were impressed with the condition of the field."

"RAVENS INSTALL NEW GRASS AT M&T BANK STADIUM" (2/3)

The Baltimore Sun, May 11, 2016

"Every five years or so the Ravens replace the surface of their playing field, and for the first time since 2002, the team will dig its cleats into true grass at home."

"RAVENS SWITCHING TO NATURAL GRASS AT M&T BANK STADIUM" (3/3)

Baltimore Ravens, December 4, 2015

"[The Ravens] found a different strain of grass, from a sod farm in North Carolina that are a mixture of Burmuda and some rye grass, that they believe will be more robust than what they previously used in the stadium. The Ravens also plan to use artificial light to keep grass growing where the field is shaded.

'There have been a lot of technological advances with the grass from what I’m told,' Harbaugh said. 'Our grounds people have done a great job of researching it, and they feel like they have the type of grass now that can thrive in there.' "