What are synthetic turf fields made of?
The NYC Parks Department uses different kinds of synthetic turf depending on how and where it will be used. Most of the synthetic turf fields contain crumb rubber infill along with padding and drainage systems. Other synthetic fields are made of carpet-style materials and do not use crumb rubber. The carpet-style fields are used primarily in the conversion of asphalt fields to synthetic fields. Crumb rubber fields are made of the following materials: A bottom layer composed of plastic sheeting. Middle layers composed of crushed stones with plastic tubing for drainage and rubber padding for shock absorbance A top layer composed of plastic mesh with soft, plastic strands that resemble blades of grass Crumb rubber infill, made from recycled tires, is added to the top layer to provide extra padding and keep the grass upright. Sand is sometimes mixed with the crumb rubber. Currently, about 13% of the Parks Department’s 952 playing fields are synthetic turf (with 70% grass and 17% asphalt).
