Facts about Synthetic Turf

Many environmental benefits result from replacing turf grass with synthetic turf. At a typical residence (with about 750 square feet of turf) the installation of synthetic turf can conserve approximately 22,000 gallons of water per year. Synthetic turf also requires no fertilizer, no pesticides, no mowing and reduces urban runoff caused by irrigation. It also cuts down on the amount of green waste, like lawn clippings, going into landfills.

Four new synthetic turf demonstration sites were recently established within IRWD's service area to provide a venue to showcase this landscaping alternative and promote its use for conservation. To accomplish this, IRWD teamed up with the cities of Irvine, Lake Forest, Newport Beach and Tustin to show customers that the latest generation of synthetic turf looks nothing like the tacky "fake grass" they might remember from decades ago.

Each city installed synthetic turf in areas that range from 1,323 to 2,600 square feet each. Synthetic turf costs $6-$9 per square foot. The cost of the test plots is being shared among IRWD, the participating cities, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation. While IRWD had already installed synthetic turf in front of its headquarters building in early 2005, the water district is partnering with several of the cities it serves in order to have greater visibility of the "faux" grass in parks and other areas where the public can easily see and evaluate it. These new sites can be viewed at:

Windrow Community Park, City of Irvine. The test plot is 2,168 square feet of synthetic turf in the area around the flagpoles. Windrow Park is located at 285 East Yale Loop.
Bonita Canyon Sports Park, City of Newport Beach. The test plot is 1,320 square feet of synthetic turf adjacent to the parking lot, a baseball diamond and a playground area located at Newport Hills Drive East and Old Ford Road.
Concourse Park, City of Lake Forest. This test plot is 1,746 square feet of synthetic turf adjacent to the tot lot and a parking area. Concourse Park is located at 18931 Saddleback Ranch Road in Portola Hills, near the intersection of Saddleback Ranch Road and Ranchwood Way.
Cedar Grove Park, City of Tustin. This test plot is 2,600 square feet of synthetic turf in a gradually sloping area known as the "amphitheater". Cedar Grove Park is located at 11385 Pioneer Road.

To view the Quarterly/Final Status Report of this synthetic turf replacement project, entitled "Central Orange County Turf Replacement Project", click here.

Before-and-after" photos of the following completed installations:


Windrow Community Park, Irvine: BEFORE synthetic turf installation	Windrow Community Park, Irvine: AFTER synthetic turf installation

Bonita Canyon Sports Park, Newport Beach: BEFORE synthetic turf installation	Bonita Canyon Sports Park, Newport Beach: AFTER synthetic turf installation

Concourse Park, Lake Forest: BEFORE synthetic turf installation	Concourse Park, Lake Forest: AFTER synthetic turf installation

Cedar Grove Park, Tustin: BEFORE synthetic turf installation	Cedar Grove Park, Tustin: AFTER synthetic turf installation

More Facts about Synthetic Turf

Installation Process
The current demonstration area located in front of IRWD's administrative headquarters building at 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine, took a day and one-half to complete, including removing the old vegetation and capping the pre-existing underground irrigation. Next, a bed of crushed rocks was installed and tamped down. The new turf was rolled out like a giant carpet and held in place along its edges with numerous six-inch spikes. Once in place, an inch of sand and rubber "crumbs" from recycled tires were raked into the lawn to help keep its grass blades upright.

close-up details of synthetic turf construction

Synthetic Turf Installation Step-by-Step


Step One: Remove existing ground cover.	Step Two: Cover ground with at least 1" of tamped-down decomposed rocks.

Step Three: Synthetic turf is installed much like carpeting.	Step Four: Sand is brushed into the synthetic turf.

Step Five: Rubber crumbs are brushed into the synthetic turf to keep blades upright.	Step Six: Once installed, synthetic turf is ready to be enjoyed. (Actual synthetic turf at IRWD shown here.)

Durability
Synthetic turf is manufactured by attaching polyvinylchloride blades to a durable porous backing. Manufacturers say dogs and kids can romp and play on it without causing damage. Pet waste can also be easily removed from synthetic turf without leaving behind any tell-tale brown spots. The turf on display at IRWD's Sand Canyon Headquarters has an 8-year warranty.

Additional Benefits
An ideal application for this technology is on street medians or the strips of grass located between sidewalks and curbs. Because synthetic turf doesn't require irrigation, it also eliminates irrigation runoff, which degrades asphalt. At a typical residence (with approximately 750 square feet of turf grass) the installation of synthetic turf can conserve approximately 22,000 gallons of water per year. Synthetic turf also reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides, thereby reducing the amount of pollutants reaching creeks, rivers and oceans. It eliminates grass mowing, reduces air and noise polllution, reduces green waste and saves time.

IRWD hopes you consider synthetic turf as an attractive, environmentally sensitive and easy-to-maintain alternative to traditional landscaping.