25

• Board Meeting Date: 1/23/2008
• Description: OWCDP Section - Town of Castle Rock - Synthetic Turf Project
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

Castle Rock Synthetic Turf Project
Application for Water Efficiency Grant
Specific objectives were established to further define the water use goals.
^ Reduce average water consumption 18 percent over 5-year average use (165 to
135 gpcd}
^ Reduce peak water consumption
^ Preserve enhance Castle Rock's landscape architecture
3.0 Synthetic Turf Field Overview
Synthetic turf fields are frequently used throughout the United States in place of
irrigated turf for various reasons including longer playing seasons, reduced annual
maintenance, and decreased water usage. The popularity of synthetic turf has
increased as new technologies have made it safer and given it a more natural
appearance. Under the proposed project, Castle Rock, incoordination with DCSD,
would construct a synthetic turf field as part of Elementary School #45.
3.1 Major Components
Castle Rock has been studying the possibility of using synthetic turf as an athletic
field surface for several years, particularly in new parks, and has in fact installed
synthetic turf in active play areas of Matiney Park, Gemstone Park, and Putterfield
Park. Castle Rock's Synthetic Turf Feasibility Study describes the following major
components of synthetic turf fields:
^ Base; The base usually consists of awell-graded and compacted subgrade overlain
with geotextile fabric. A layer of crushed stone is then applied over the geotextile
fabric just below the turf itself.
^ Drainage: A drainage system of perforated pipe is typically placed along the edge of
the field. However sometimes flat drains can be placed underneath the field should
the design call for it.
^ Field: The field surface consists of long synthetic fibers (about 3 inches long)
attached to ahigh-strength backing.
3.2 Beneficial Features
A synthetic turf athletic field provides the following beneficial features:
^ Longer playing season -Synthetic turf doesn't need to drain and dry following a
rainfall event and it doesn't freeze; therefore, the overall playing season for
sporting events can be extended when using a synthetic turf field.
6 To~nm of Castle Rock Park & Pecreation. 2005. Synthetic Turf Feasibility Study.
10