Council approves $594,704 for new synthetic turf at Grasslawn soccer and softball fields

UPDATED:  In 2002, the City of Redmond installed its first soccer field using synthetic turf with a

surrounding rubber walking track at Grass Lawn Park. In 2003, the City's first synthetic

softball field was constructed by converting Field #1 from natural grass to synthetic turf.

The improvements made the fields available for use twelve months out of the year.

Grass Lawn Park is one of the City of Redmond's most visited recreational facilities.

With three lit synthetic sports fields, six lit tennis courts, multiple basketball hoops, two

playgrounds, climbing rocks, a walking track, one rentable picnic shelter, one rentable

pavilion, and an assortment of walking paths, the park hosts hundreds of thousands of

visitors every year. The synthetic fields are a major component of the park and are

heavily used year-round as a result of rentals, sports camps, and significant drop-in use.

In 2012, there were 838 booked events with over 47,000 scheduled users on just these

 

two fields.   (scroll for remainder of story).   Read More >>

 

 

 

 

 

After eleven seasons of play on the soccer field, and ten years of play on the softball

infield, the synthetic turf has reached the end of its useful life. This is within the

expected life span of the product for these applications and usage rates. Staff has made

regular repairs to high wear areas on the infield and soccer field. There are currently

numerous turf patches in place to keep the filed at minimally acceptable safety levels.

The existing turf fibers are excessively worn and require replacement in order to provide

a safe and consistent playing surface.

Source:  Consent Agenda from City Council Meeting of 7/16/2013

Reported by Bob Yoder