Heavy machinery on the track. Track installers can’ t say it enough; if equipment such as mowers or any other vehicle needs to be brought onto the field, covering the track is imperative, and will help keep the surface intact. Many schools or facilities place boards over the track at crossing points for machinery or vehicles; the boards are then covered by rubber mats to provide traction. If the field will be used to host anything not sports-related( graduations, community events, etc.), pedestrian traffic should be directed onto the field only at those designated crossing points.
Aggressive cleaning of the surface. Ask the installer for a list of the manufacturer’ s recommendations regarding equipment and products that can safely be used on the surface, as well as directions on how to use them correctly.
Excess water on the track. Sprinklers for irrigating the field should be directed so that water goes only onto the grass, rather than over-spraying and landing on the track. If there are integrated curbing / drainage systems between the track and the field, make sure they remain clear of any debris, so that water is moved off efficiently.
Unsupervised facility use. It is easier to maintain control of footwear and other issues if track use is confined to student athletes; however, many facilities are open for community use. This increases the risk to the facility as a whole. Children, for example, will often bring tricycles, scooters, bikes, etc., onto the track while their parents walk or run, or users will allow their dogs to run on the field, none of which is desirable. If tracks( and fields) are open to the community( or even just to the rest of the student body while the track and field are not in active use), post a clear list of rules regarding hours open, footwear allowed, etc. Provide a number or email so that users can alert you if there are any issues with the track surface( or the field, should they notice problems there).
Photo courtesy Dylan Yarbrough on Unsplash
Photo courtesy Fisher Tracks, Inc.
Mary Helen Sprecher wrote this article on behalf of the American Sports Builders Association( ASBA). For more information, see the ASBA’ s Running Tracks: Construction and Maintenance Manual( www. sportsbuilders. org).
sportsfieldmanagementonline. com March 2026 | SportsField Management
35