EB's New Turf Field

List of 13 frequently asked questions.

• Why do we need turf? Can we re-sod the field instead?

  Traditional sod is just not up to the intense use, winter downpours, and long droughts that EB’s field experiences. Re-sodding the field every few years is a costly project, which will not solve the issue of the grass being worn to dirt or turned to mud in the rainy months.

  
  Through PE, recess, extended care, and camps, our field gets nearly year-round, constant use and the current grass is not meeting our students’ needs. This green alternative is a cost-effective solution that is better for the environment (drastically reduces the need for watering), lessens the demand on our staff (very low maintenance and no mowing required), and ensures our kids have a playing surface they can use year-round. In fact, we expect the new turf will increase students’ access to sports through less closures and a better quality playing field.

• Is the turf safe for my kids to use?

  Yes! Our children’s health and safety is of the utmost importance in making this choice for a new turf field. And only now that artificial turf technology meets our standards are we ready to make this change for our campus. Old crumb rubber  infill used in other turf fields (e.g. Raimondi Park) is not what our field will use. Instead, we will use natural cork infill, which is safe, biodegradable and durable.

• Have you researched the environmental health and safety impacts?

  We have! This project, as well as all other facilities projects, are researched, reviewed and recommended by the Buildings and Grounds Committee, which has the health of our children and staff, as well as environmental safety as its top priority. In addition to its own research and analysis of this project, the committee used the comprehensive study done by the City of Berkeley to to build Tom Bates Field as an independent expert analysis. The City’s Joint Powers public report and hearing involved Berkeley, Oakland, Albany and Richmond, and provided extensive research and public comment. See the public comments.
  
  

  Extensive in our analyses of the science and the potential health and environmental impacts, we’re confident in providing a field that will withstand the intensive use that our programs (and children) demand, while using natural, organic materials, free of lead and chemicals. The new turf will stand up to our use, while also providing a drastic reduction in water usage, fertilizers and maintenance.

• Will the new turf contain unhealthy and carcinogenic chemicals?

  No. Our vendor works with organic materials, ensuring that our students only come into contact with the safest products. As stated before, cork infill eliminates the serious environmental concerns of old crumb rubber infill technology. Our infill producer (Greenplay) sources from sustainably managed cork oak forests, and has commissioned chemical analyses of their cork product showing no chemicals above detectable limits. See the results of their study.
  
  

  Additionally, the turf grass/blades are made up of two kinds of plastic fibers with added UV/color protection. They are lead-free and do not contain any coating, pesticides, biocides, fire retardants or any other chemicals.

• Will the new turf present a higher risk of injury?

  No. A high-quality shock-absorbing pad will be installed under the turf to reduce impact forces equivalently to natural grass. The new technology of shock pad underlayer and cork infill reduces the risk of impact injury to a GMax of 90, which is in the range of natural grass (GMax of 70-110), and significantly below the bare dirt that is often on the field nowadays. Read more about impact testing and injury rates on artificial vs natural turf.

• Is “hot turf” going to be a problem?

  No. “Hot turf” is an issue that arose for previous generations of synthetic turf that use crumb rubber infill. Our turf will not use crumb rubber, but rather cork infill. Test reports indicate that the temperature of cork infill turf is similar to natural grass, and does not pose the risks that crumb rubber infill turf fields.

• What company are you using to install the turf?

  We will be using Pure Cork from Greenplay, an organic turf infill company. 

• Will the turf look like a real field?

  Yes! We will be stitching in permanent soccer field lines, at the request of our coaches—not to mention our students!

• Why is the school asking parents to financially support this project?

  As this is a project our students have been asking about for some time, we know that some parents may be very excited to witness its completion. We would like to give those that are able, the opportunity to support this project through a tax-deductible donation. EB has many summer improvements it would like to undertake and the more funds we are able to raise through our community’s generosity, the more projects we will be able to fund. Participation is of course voluntary and we are deeply grateful for everyone’s support.

• My child doesn’t really use the field.

  Outdoor play is an important part of EB’s physical education program. In addition to promoting healthy physical exercise, playing outdoors encourages teamwork, fosters collaboration, and lets kids experience real-world scenarios where they can use their social, emotional, and gross motor skills. Plus, your child may one day want to use the field, and with this upgrade, they’ll have the opportunity to do so anytime they wish!

• When will the work be done?

  We plan to complete this project over Summer 2019. This means that when our students return to school in September, they’ll have a brand new field ready for them to use—rain or shine!

• Can I see an example of cork infill turf?

  Yes! This technology has been extensively vetted and rigorously tested, and is being used by communities and schools across the country. Prospect Sierra is using a very similar system for their turf field and has great success with it. An easily accessible example is the Tom Bates Field (at Gilman and Frontage Road) in Berkeley. Go visit! We also have “mock up” samples available to view at the Reception desk.

• More questions?

  Contact turfteam@eb.org