b'Morris notes that synthetic fields have a lifespan as wellwhile they wont get torn up like natural grass, artificial fields last about seven to 10 years. When it comes down to it, that misconception of no upkeep really propels the popularity of synthetic. If they have synthetic turf, a common idea is they dont have to have a whole crew of people to paint the field and mow it, Duncan says. When it comes to natural grass, theres of course upkeepits a living thing. Theres definitely some training that comes with being a sports turf manager, Morris says. They need the resources to fertilize, put seed down regularly and come back and check on it on some regular basis.At a professional level, this is usually an easier endeavor. At a parks and recreation or high school level, this task is more daunting. Football is a game thats played in the turf, not on it, Duncan says. The players plant their feet to get ready for impact, and its really disruptive on turf. Dressing those areas with sand or topsoil and applyingOne benefit of natural grass? You can play without shoes in the summer! new grass is necessary throughout the season to keep grass coming up as theyre playing on it. The reality is: one rainy Friday night in a high school or college gameIts Time to Educatecan impact the rest of the season. One thing both Morris and Duncan agree on: the turfgrass industry needs to do a better job educating Environmental and Safety Benefits about the maintenance and upkeep of natural grassHowever, though theres more upkeep with naturaland that its an achievable endeavor. grass, the benefits outweigh the downsides.Our industry has done a pretty poor job of pre-One major benefit to note is the environmentalsenting the benefits of natural grass sportsfields, impacts of natural grass. Grass can provide plenty ofMorris says. Anytime that youre in a school district or benefits that help cities maintain sustainability.municipality where the debate is presented, you dont Natural grass sequesters carbon from the environ- necessarily see the pros and cons of both options. We ment from factories and cities faster than trees, saysneed to get out there and show them the benefits. Matt Duncan is Duncan. It helps keep the carbon level down and itThere are schools and communities where thean account stops the erosion as water flows through it. person maintaining the field doesnt have training,manager at DLF Grass also acts as a natural coolant as well.and theyre starving for it, Duncan says. Its a hugePickseed. Artificial turf has tremendous heat loads, Morrisbenefit to have groups like the Sports Turf Managers says. The heat load on artificial turf is regularly docu- Association where people can network and be put in mented anywhere from 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheitcontact with one another. That way, they can discuss more than natural turf. In the summer, that means theHey, how did you get through this?turf could reach the temperature of hot asphalt.As for artificial turf? Of course, theres always a time Many artificial fields require irrigation systems soand place where its appropriate.water can be applied to provide cooling. Theres a school in D.C., a private school, thats Im working on the grounds crew for the Littlebasically landlocked, Morris says. They have their field League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvaniaon top of the parking garage of their school. Well, its right now, where its about 93 degrees, Duncan says.pretty hard for them to have a natural turf system, and These fields are natural grass. But theres complexesthey need a place for kids to play!like this around the country that use synthetic turfIBut when it comes down to it, natural turf is still the cant imagine playing on a day like this on syntheticpreferred sportsfield.turf. If you take the 93 degree air temperature now, theEven the Baltimore Ravens made the switch from synthetic turf has the ability to be 60 to 70 degreessynthetic turf to natural grass, Duncan says. Lets above the air temperature. hope that trend continues.SWIn addition to burns to the bottom of your shoes, it also increases the rate for heatstroke. 28/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2021'