Is Artificial Turf Safe for Playgrounds?
Whether you have kids or supervise a grade school, you want an immaculate playground to facilitate imagination, physical activity, and, above all else, safety. Is artificial turf safe for playgrounds? Or should you go with regular grass instead?
Turf Scrubbers specializes in artificial turf in McKinney, TX, and we’ve brought our expertise to you. Read below to learn whether synthetic grass might be your best playground substrate.
Consider Your Playground Needs for Best Results
While living grass certainly has its place, many property owners seek lawn alternatives that require less maintenance and look good year-round. Artificial turf is among the most popular options for its simplicity. But is artificial turf safe for playgrounds?
General User Age
Synthetic grass is generally safe for all ages but can be particularly advantageous for younger children. Regular lawns may have rocks jutting out of the ground or attract insects that can sting them.
Meanwhile, synthetic lawns offer a flat, uninterrupted landscape free of safety hazards.
Number of Children
If dozens of children might use the playground at any given time, they need adequate fall protection. After all, losing one’s grip on the monkey bars and skinned knees are routine parts of growing up. You can choose thickly cushioned artificial turf to pad their falls.
Frequent turf use means more maintenance, repairs, and updates, too. Ripped turf material or neglected debris can make a child trip and face-plant into the ground. Compare the costs of regular lawn services with those required for synthetic grass.
Equipment Type
What type of equipment will you use on your playground? The higher the equipment, the more shock absorption you’ll need. This might increase your costs when installing artificial turf because you’ll need additional layers underneath.
Artificial turf allows for extra cushioning, whereas a typical lawn only features grass and dirt, offering less padding for falls.
Playground Location
One area where artificial turf pales in comparison to regular grass is heat retention. If you install it in an indoor arena, you should have no issues with rising summer temperatures and long sunny days.
On the other hand, outdoor synthetic grass absorbs more heat than its natural counterpart. In that case, you might benefit from adding shaded coverings across the playground to prevent children from falling on a hot surface.
Is Artificial Turf Safe for Playgrounds?
Artificial grass is generally safer for playgrounds than regular grass because:
You can choose the turf thickness to pad falls and trips.
You have more control over debris and lawn consistency.
It doesn’t attract venomous bugs like natural grass might.
It stays the same height, color, and thickness throughout the year.
Despite all the above advantages, you’ll want to consider a few additional factors before choosing one or the other.
Other Factors To Weigh When Exploring Playground Turf Coverage
What other influences might determine whether turf works for your playground needs? Let’s explore them below.
Cost
Both artificial and regular lawns come with specific service costs, including:
Turf installation: You can let a natural lawn grow naturally or install specific grass species. You must have artificial grass professionally installed.
Minimum maintenance requirements: Both lawn types need consistent maintenance throughout the year. You can hold off on those services in winter with a natural lawn, but your artificial turf still needs upkeep.
Repair services: Synthetic grass materials may sustain rips, tears, and punctures, especially with daily use. You’ll have to schedule repairs to keep them in working order.
Maintenance
Synthetic grass requires ongoing maintenance, regardless of the season. But that consistent maintenance requires little effort, especially if you stay on top of it. Plus, turf experts can professionally clean your artificial lawn for added antimicrobial protection, which is a big plus for active young children.
Safety Requirements
You should also check your municipal regulations for playground safety standards, especially if you open your playground to the public. Some cities, counties, or communities have specific standards regarding the thickness, upkeep, and equipment allowed on artificial turf surfaces.
Consult With Turf Scrubbers About Whether Turf Is Right for Your Playground
Is artificial turf safe for playgrounds? Choosing artificial turf might be safer than picking regular grass, as it eliminates many unpredictable issues. Call Turf Scrubbers at 817-350-0784 to discuss whether it works for your playground. We’ll explore different materials that cater to your public or private playground.
META: Is artificial turf safe for playgrounds? It offers shock absorption and antimicrobial protection, but you’ll learn the one area where it may fall short.