SAFETY AND SECURITY
field only . Look for wet spots on the track or on nearby structures that would indicate misdirected water . Also check for any areas where the field seems to hold water longer than
Photo courtesy of Fisher Tracks , Boone , Iowa .
Photo courtesy of American Athletic Courts , Inc ., Vincentown , N . J .
others ; this may be indicative of a drainage problem . And , of course , if you notice water puddling on the track , it could be indicative of a low spot that a contractor should address .
Even if they don ’ t have to be mowed and fertilized , synthetic fields need regular care , as well .
“ Synthetic turf and running tracks are ‘ low maintenance ,’ not ‘ no maintenance ,’” said Arcella .
Arcella recommends weekly sweeping and cleaning of trash , leaves and other debris ; if weekly isn ’ t enough to stay on top of the problem , increase it to two to three times a week .
A lack of grooming leads to matting down of the fibers in areas of heavy use on the field . If caught early , the problem can be corrected . Without regular maintenance , however , it can lead to bigger problems with the surface that can , over time , shorten the field ’ s useful life .
Synthetic fields are a significant investment for the schools and parks that own them , benefit from an owner who keeps open the lines of communication with the builder who installed them . By doing regular walk-throughs of the facility and sending photos regarding any areas of concern , it is possible to head a lot of problems off at the outset .
“ Backpack blowers can be utilized for leaves and the like , but the operator needs to be careful not to displace the infill by directly blowing downward into the turf ,” said Arcella . “ We also use a drag mat ‘ friction ’ sweeper pulled by a small golf cart or utility vehicle .”
There are several vehicles on the market that can be used strictly in maintenance work on synthetic fields , including those that vacuum fields , remove any metal and re-level the infill . A specialty contractor with expertise in sports fields can provide advice on such equipment . Note that such vehicles should have special turf tires that keep them from damaging the field .
When using vehicles in any maintenance work , it is essential to protect the track from the damage that can result . It is easy to think that if a vehicle is only driven across the track occasionally ( or quickly , or slowly ), that it will not cause harm to the athletic surface . Unfortunately , this is not the case . sportsfieldmanagementonline . com June 2021 | SportsField Management
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