Exploring the pros and cons of synthetic athletic turf

MACOMB, Ill. — I should not be writing this. The voice in my head says to keep my mouth shut.

Yet, the other voice says, maybe someone will find this information helpful. That is after all what we are supposed to do at Illinois Extension, make sure the knowledge and research do not stay locked up somewhere, but extend it out across the state to help people make more informed decisions.

Even though it may open a can of worms, it is time to talk about synthetic turf.

A debate rages on comparing synthetic turf and natural turf in an athletic setting. I have spent the past few years sitting on couches, tailgates and bleachers with other sports fans debating the merits of real and artificial turf. There are certainly positives to both viewpoints. Both systems have downsides. Schools, park districts and other organizations that manage athletic fields must choose how they invest their money for their sporting facilities.

Synthetic athletic turf is comprised of rubber material and plastics. The surface is considered more cushioned for falls, yet that cushioning varies and depends on the depth of the rubber material below the surface. Synthetic turf is marketed to need fewer inputs. It doesn’t need to be mowed, fertilized, aerated, reseeded and so on. That reduction of efforts is seen as cost savings for the lifetime of the field.

Synthetic turf can be played on in the rain without destroying the field, and it can handle more frequent use. When you’re in a rural school with one field to handle all your sporting events, synthetic turf can make a huge difference in access to a high-quality play surface.

Very often the main downside people mention about synthetic turf is a perceived increase in injuries. There is a lot to unpack in that argument, more than I have room in this article, but in short, we can’t just point to synthetic turf as a culprit. There are multiple factors to consider, including ever-changing gear, footwear, rules and athleticism of the players.

However, there are evident health concerns about synthetic turf. Quite obvious is how much hotter the playing surface becomes during sunny weather. The radiating warmth can lead to overheating of athletes and even skin burns during hot summer weather. Additionally, the cushioned surface changes with time. As debris, paint build-up, and the degradation of rubber occur, it alters the hardness of the surface. Synthetic turf has also been shown to have a greater potential for abrasions and burns from sliding.

Synthetic turf also has a lifespan. It does not last forever. And depending on local climate, maintenance, and use it can shorten or increase that lifespan. While many companies make varying claims on the lifespan of their synthetic turf, it seems like most synthetic field surfaces last ten years or less. The base layers under the play surface can last longer.

The upfront cost of synthetic turf is often the biggest hurdle for most organizations. It is not uncommon for an initial installation cost of synthetic turf to reach $1 million. But after installation, there are maintenance costs. A 2008 study showed annual labor costs averaging $6,000 with 375 hours of labor for synthetic turf compared to $4,000 for 250 hours of labor on natural turf fields.

Finally, a used-up synthetic turf must be landfilled and that will incur more costs.

After reading some of the downsides, it may seem like synthetic turf is not a great option for cash-strapped schools or parks. But truly, the decision to invest in synthetic or natural turf is a choice that must be weighed individually by an organization’s unique situation. Visit  www.go.Illinois.edu/GoodGrowing for more information on this topic.