Montgomery County, MD, proceeds cautiously with artificial turf fields
8 Jul, 2010 Athletic Turf NewsMontgomery County, MD, wants more information about the costs, risks and benefits of replacing natural grass athletic fields with artificial turf. County schools, environmental and parks officials are being asked to prepare a report by the end of the year.
The request was made after citizens there have expressed concern about player safety and environmental issues in regards to the growing popularity of artificial turf fields at schools in the county.
"It's challenging to find out fact from fiction" given competing information that sod growers and artificial turf vendors offer about the comparative advantages and disadvantages, Deputy Parks Director Mike Riley was quoted in the gazette.com article.
The county parks department estimates that the installation costs for an artificial turf field are about $865,000, with $130,000 in total maintenance costs over 10 years. The parks department estimates preparation or rehabilitation of natural grass fields at $180,000 initially, with $375,000 in total maintenance over 10 years, the newspaper reported.
With increased revenue available from higher use of artificial fields, the parks estimates the 10-year cost of artificial turf at $282,800 and of real turf at $454,800.
Click here for the article in gazette.com.
Please send any technical comments or questions to our webmaster.