Synthetic turf — or is real grass better?
Occasional Observer
Occasional Observer
In 1965, the country got its first giant indoor sports stadium, the Houston Astrodome which for many years served as the home for the Houston Astros football team. A new playing surface was developed by Monsanto for this indoor venue, an imitation plastic grass and the name, Astroturf soon became a generic trademark like Kleenex for all the other similar varieties that followed as artificial grass became ever more popular.
Currently there is a heated discussion about whether to install artificial instead of real grass playing fields — and it’s an argument about sports, health and the environment. Youth sports teams want year-round playing surfaces and turf companies want to convince folks that artificial grass does this better.
Over half the National Football League teams use artificial turf for their home fields as do six major league baseball teams. Reports are that across the country there are more than 16,000 synthetic turf playing fields with over a thousand new ones installed every year.
Synthetic turf is composed of polyethylene imitation grass blades woven into a spun backing of larger fibers perhaps half an inch thick, forming a porous mat. This is typically placed over one or two layers of fine gravel and crushed stone. Below it’s a leveled surface of compacted sand; or sometimes concrete. A separate drainage system is generally required. The lifespan of the synthetic turf carpet varies depending on the intensity of use and other factors. Manufacturers typically say a 20-year lifespan is normal whereas users more often suggest 5 to 10 years.
Artificial turf has certain advantages over natural grass:It needs no water to survive, does not need to be mowed or fertilized and it stays green.And unlike grass, it can be used soon after a rainstorm.
Synthetic turf has its shortcomings, however. Unlike grass, its blades can scrape and cut a player’s skin. During the warmer months it may become exceedingly hot, sometimes reaching temperatures of more than 150 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a dangerous surface for play.And it’s considerably harder on the body than real grass. Many studies over the years testify to a significant increase in injuries to feet, ankles and knees for football, soccer, baseball, field hockey and other players playing on artificial turf, whereas, unless the ground is frozen, falls on natural grass are usually much less punishing.
Moreover, the array of synthetic chemicalmaterials including PFAS in its construction that may leach out over time together with the toxic chemicals used for cleaning constitute a serious health concern.Another problem is the disposal of worn out synthetic turf;it requires professional help to move it and an approved disposal site. It’s a real environmental problem.
For most people, grass is grass; and that’s about it. But in reality there are many types and often several varieties within each type. For centuries grass tennis courts and golf course greens were grown exclusively with creeping bent grass, a type used hardly anywhere else although perennial rye grass has recently replaced bent as the surface for the world’s premier tennis tournament, Wimbledon.
Of course grass has some problems too. To be usable as a surface for playing sports, it requires regular maintenance including watering and mowing. Lawn services like to provide fertilizing and spraying with pesticides as well.But providing the most suitable, rich soil at the beginning minimizes the need for feeding. Generally feeding with a more balanced, slow-acting fertilizer makes healthier, better grass in the long run.
Traditionally fields for professional sports in temperate climates were sown with Kentucky bluegrass, often considered the most beautiful of lawn grasses but in recent years more fields have also used hardier types such as tall fescue or perennial rye, either on their own or as part of a mixture with Kentuckybluegrass to increase durability (and to stay green longer in the season). Over the last fifty years, agricultural scientists have been hard at work trying to make grass more beautiful, durable, and generally more serviceable.
A 2024 survey by the NFL players Association found that 92% of NFL players preferred playing on real grass rather than synthetic turf. However, 17 of the 32 NFL teams are still playing on synthetic turf but some expect to revert to grass in the coming years.
Despite the aggressive self-promotion by vendors of artificial turf over the years, real grass seems to be slowly regaining its dominance in athletic fields. Concerns regarding artificial turf’s disadvantages with regard to injuries, public health, and environmental aspects have over the years diminished popular enthusiasm for it. But more than anything, real grass has made a comeback in popular esteem because it is natural and easier for users to like than the plastic imitation, in today’s world a rare instance of the natural winning out over the artificial.
Architect and landscape designer Mac Gordon lives in Lakeville.
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.
Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.
A large collection of food was on offer from the Pine Plains FFA and each one of the classes in the Pine Plains Central School District. The football team was selling pickles.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd enjoyed a dip in the dunk tank to raise money for the Pine Plains teachers’ union-sponsored scholarship.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd got dunked several times during his half-hour shift in the dunk tank. Proceeds from the throws benefitted the Photo by Nathan Miller
MILLERTON — Ten candidates for office in the Nov. 4 election will answer questions from Dutchess County voters at a candidate forum on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Annex at the NorthEast-Millerton Library located at 28 Century Blvd.
The forum, which is sponsored by the library, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Candidates for local and county offices will answer questions from residents in attendance or from residents who have submitted questions in advance.
“We’re excited to keep the tradition of the candidate forum going,” said Rhiannon Leo-Jameson, director of the library. “Some years we can’t always get candidates together.”
This year’s forum will include:
Rachele Grieco Cole, a Democrat, and Chris Mayville, a Republican, who both are running uncontested for the North East Town Council;
Casey McCabe, a Democrat, also running uncontested for North East Justice.
Among Dutchess County races:
Tracy MacKenzie, who is endorsed by Republicans and Democrats, is running uncontested for Dutchess County Family Court Judge;
Kara Gerry, a Democrat, and Ned McLoughlin, a Republican, are in a contest for a Dutchess County Court judgeship currently held by McLoughlin.
Chris Drago, D-19, and Tonya Pulver, a Republican, are competing to represent Dutchess County’s19th District seat currently held by Drago.
Democratic incumbent Dan Aymar-Blair and Will Truitt, the Republican chair of the county legislature, are competing for the Dutchess County Comptroller position currently held by Aymar-Blair.
Leo-Jameson is encouraging questions for the candidates to be submitted in advance, which will not be revealed to candidates beforehand. Dutchess County residents may pose questions during the forum. To submit a question on the library’s website, go to the calendar at nemillertonlibrary.org and find the link in the Oct. 24calendar entries.
The format calls for opening statements from the candidates, followed by questions from residents, and candidates will be able to stay after the forum to answer questions personally.
The “Elusive Ki Shusui” koi were temporarily relocated into a tub before being returned to their home pond at Maxine Pietro’s annual koi harvest at Broccoli Hall Farm in Amenia on Friday, Oct. 10. Speaking of their yellowish beauty, Pietro is pictured pointing out that the fish are scaleless but for scales that grow along the “zipper” on each fish’s dorsal ridge. The koi in the photo are estimated to be 6 or 7 years old.
The North East Community Center's Early Learning Program uses the research-based Creative Curriculum, which features a flexible, play-based approach with lots of time outdoors.
MILLERTON — In its third year, the North East Community Center’s Early Learning Program has become a vibrant, nurturing space for children and an invaluable resource for families in Dutchess County, an area identified as a child care desert by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. There are openings in both the toddler and preschool rooms for children ages 18 months to five years.
The ELP follows what’s known as the Creative Curriculum, a research-based early childhood program that builds confidence, creativity and critical thinking through hands-on, project-based learning.
“Kids are natural explorers,” said Emily Redmond, Early Childhood Programs Director. “Oftentimes, they tell us what they need to learn, so we leave plenty of room to follow the child.”
Before joining NECC, Redmond spent 13 years at Washington Montessori School in Connecticut, working in both classroom and administrative roles.
She explained that the Creative Curriculum allows teachers to stay flexible and build on children’s natural curiosity. For instance, worms appearing on the playground after a rainstorm can spark endless questions, leading to unexpected learning opportunities in math, science and beyond.
Redmond noted that children in the ELP practice pre-writing skills, work with small manipulatives to build fine motor skills, immerse themselves in nature and hone social-emotional skills. All the while, NECC’s team of educators understand that play is central to early childhood development.
One thing that sets the ELP apart from other child care programs, Redmond said, is “the mythical Chef Lenny.” Lenny Sutton, NECC’s longtime food service coordinator, prepares multiple meals and snacks for the kids each day in the on-site commercial kitchen, often using locally sourced ingredients. Known for his colorful aprons and bubbly personality, he has even been spotted in the classroom playing a few songs on the guitar.
So beloved is Chef Lenny that some students incorporate his role into their own play at home, pretending to cook and serve just like him. “Not many child care programs have an on-site chef to prepare daily meals,” laughed Redmond.
The only thing more colorful or bubbly than Chef Lenny is the new classroom fish tank, a favorite feature that provides both a calming presence and learning opportunities. A lively mix of fish adds to the ambiance, including several types of goldfish, a student-favorite pictus catfish, one powder blue gourami, a halfmoon blue betta, two dalmatian mollies and more.
The ELP is fully licensed by New York State, allowing NECC to accept state subsidies and help families access financial assistance.
“We truly value all forms of diversity, including socioeconomic diversity, and as a hallmark of NECC’s mission we strive to eliminate barriers to accessing quality education,” said Redmond, noting that the organization’s Family Programs department can provide support throughout the application process, including bilingual assistance.
NECC’s Early Learning Program is a New York Office of Children and Family Services-licensed day care center located at 11 Park Street in Millerton. Contact emily@neccmillerton.org for more information.