Seattle Parks and Recreation awarded the construction contract to replace the aging synthetic turf at Bobby Morris Playfield to FieldTurf USA. FieldTurf USA began preliminary work on June 10, and they will install construction fencing on June 22. FieldTurf USA will be occupying parking spots on the west side of 11th Ave. adjacent to Cal Anderson Park to stage equipment. The project will be completed in early August 2016. The project includes new infill and testing, any structural repairs to curbing or base required, and new soccer goals and nets.
This pilot project will test the durability, safety, playability, maintainability and environmental health of a new synthetic turf infill material. Seattle Parks and Recreation has been looking for an alternate infill material for over three years. The industry is working to offer alternatives such as coconut fiber, minerals (light stone – zeolite), cork and Thermal Plastic Elastomer (TPE – a food grade inert plastic). Cork met Seattle Parks and Recreation’s playability, durability and safety criteria and has a reasonable cost. This pilot project will test the capabilities we believe cork has.
For more information and construction updates please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=3102. For additional question please contact Jay Rood, Project Manager, Seattle Parks and Recreation at 206-733-9194 or jay.rood@seattle.gov.
