Better Play Today: Schools Choose Artificial Turf to Create Year-Round Play
Roanoke's Hidden Valley High School is transitioning from grass to artificial turf, citing all-weather durability.
In Roanoke, VA, Hidden Valley High School is transitioning from grass to artificial turf. The Roanoke County School Board voted nearly unanimously to make the switch amid concerns over the faulty condition of the grass, which has caused injuries.
Board member Cheryl Facciani told local news station WDBJ that the turf will be able to accommodate lines for a variety of sports and activities more easily.
“This consistent, durable, safe, low maintenance, all-weather field, that’s going to be lined up for football, soccer, lacrosse and even band, will keep our kids on campus and we care about safety. We’ll save on transportation costs. It’ll bring in rental revenue and I believe it’ll spark some incredible community pride,” said Facciani.
Grass, as Facciani noted, had proven difficult to maintain at a high level. Parents often complained about the field’s condition.
The school aims to begin construction in the spring.
Ohio school implements padded surface underneath synthetic turf to increase football safety
Middletown High School in Ohio looked to the latest innovations in turf manufacturing as they replaced the surface of their football field. Barnitz Stadium, which hosts high school football games and accommodates 10,000 spectators, has installed a new turf surface featuring a state-of-the-art underlying pad, according to the local Journal-News.
The padding is designed to provide additional cushioning and help reduce the risk of concussions. The extra support aligns with the latest trends in turf manufacturing as communities look for ways to use turf’s malleability and long-term durability to create a high-level surface.
“From Friday night lights to daily practices, this upgrade shows our commitment to excellence in every play, every step, every game. The new turf isn’t just about appearance — it’s about performance and safety,” said superintendent Debra Houser.
Plus, the turf is emblazoned with visually striking graphics. Check out the field, and read more about the new installation here.
Recycled Rubber News
'Puts us on the map': Ozark High to renovate baseball field, add AstroTurf (Springfield News Leader): Ozark High in Missouri will install an AstroTurf field for their baseball field, replacing natural grass. Baseball coach Justin Sundlie said that the new field “puts the school on the map,” as it will allow the program to host district and state games.
Footy to open Tucson’s first outdoor turf soccer park in July 2025 (KGUN9): The national sports company Footy will open an artificial turf soccer park in Tucson, AZ. The park will include fields for both five-on-five and seven-on-seven games, designed for casual and competitive play.
Work beginning soon on $3.1 million FIFA-quality artificial turf soccer field in Windsor (AM800): In Windsor, Ontario, work will begin soon on a new artificial turf soccer field to help the community play more often throughout the year. “With a turf field, we can start, weather permitting, as early as March and sometimes play well into December," said Joe Barile, the president of the Essex County Soccer Association.
What We’re Reading
Final Thoughts
Make sure to check out the latest BPI blog, which addresses recent comments from the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. Amid an extensive renovation of the city’s Crocker Amazon Playground to replace grass fields with artificial turf, the department told the San Francisco Standard that while crumb rubber infill caused “no primary concern from their perspective,” they wished to curtail a “public relations issue” by choosing an alternative infill.
This flies in the face of the latest research, including from the California EPA and Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), which found “no significant health risks” for those playing and coaching on fields using crumb rubber. Leaders should make decisions based on science, not public relations. Check out the full blog here.
Thanks for reading, and make sure to leave your thoughts in the comments!
Have any questions or are interested in getting involved? Reach out at media@betterplaytoday.org.
