40+ Years Experience - Free Design & Consultations - Call 636-529-1748
Playground Safety Surfacing
Playground Turf Surfacing
The look of a natural lawn with real fall protection underneath. Synthetic turf is installed over a shock-absorbing pad rated for your equipment’s fall height.
- Shock pad rated to ASTM F1292
- ADA accessible
- Natural grass look
- Professional installation
Why playground turf
Soft, green, and built for play
Turf is a great fit for nature-inspired playgrounds, mounds and hills, and multi-use lawns where you want play areas to blend into the landscape.
Rated fall protection
The foam shock pad under the turf provides the impact protection. Pad type and thickness are selected for your equipment’s fall height.
Natural look, no mowing
Stays green year-round without watering, mowing, or bare spots worn in by little feet.
ADA accessible
Installed over a properly compacted base, turf provides a firm, stable surface for wheelchairs and walkers.
Drains through
Perforated backing and a free-draining stone base move rainwater down and away from the play area.
Mounds & shapes
Turf wraps over hills, berms, and tunnels, making it ideal for creative, nature-style play spaces.
Low maintenance
Brush the fibers, blow off debris, and top up infill in high-traffic spots. No raking loose fill back into place.
How it's built
A complete turf safety system
Playground turf is more than artificial grass. The safety comes from the full system: a compacted base, a shock-absorbing pad, and turf with infill on top.
Turf fibers + infillTop layer
Durable synthetic fibers with sand or rubber infill that keeps the blades upright and the surface stable.
Shock-absorbing padRated to fall height
Foam or bonded rubber pad that delivers the impact protection. Denser and thicker pads support higher fall heights.
Compacted stone baseSite specific
Graded, compacted aggregate that provides a firm, free-draining foundation.
The turf and pad combination must be tested to ASTM F1292 at the required fall height.
Fall height
The pad is matched to your equipment
Turf alone doesn’t protect against falls. The shock pad underneath is chosen to meet the critical fall height of the play equipment.
| Critical fall height | Shock pad |
|---|---|
| Up to 5 ft | Standard playground pad |
| 6 to 8 ft | Thicker or higher-density pad |
| 9 to 10 ft+ | Highest-rated pad system, confirmed by test |
Typical guidance for planning. Final pad selection depends on the specified system and its ASTM F1292 test results.
Turf or poured rubber?
Pick the right surface for your site
Both are accessible, low-maintenance surfaces. Many playgrounds use both: poured rubber in high-wear zones and turf everywhere else.
| Compare | Playground Turf | Poured-in-Place Rubber |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Natural lawn appearance | Seamless solid colors and custom designs |
| Fall protection | Shock pad rated to fall height | Cushion thickness set to fall height |
| Best for | Nature play, mounds, multi-use lawns | Schools, parks, high-traffic zones |
| High-wear areas | Add wear mats or PIP under swings and slides | Handles swings and slide exits well |
| Maintenance | Brush fibers, top up infill | Sweep, patch or top-coat as needed |
Our process
How we install playground turf
One team handles your project from layout to final grooming.
-
Measure & spec
We confirm the area, equipment fall heights, and the turf and pad system that fits your site.
-
Prepare the base
Excavation, compacted stone base, edging, and grading for drainage.
-
Lay the pad
Shock-absorbing pad panels are installed and joined across the full use zone.
-
Turf & infill
Turf is rolled out, seamed, secured at the edges, then infilled and brushed.
Is artificial turf safe for playgrounds?
Yes, when it’s installed as a system. The shock-absorbing pad underneath is what provides fall protection, and the turf and pad combination must be tested to ASTM F1292 for the fall height of your equipment.
Do I need a pad under playground turf?
Yes. Turf by itself does not provide adequate fall protection for play equipment. We size the pad to the critical fall height in each use zone.
Is playground turf ADA accessible?
Installed over a properly compacted base, turf provides a firm and stable surface suitable for accessible routes. We’ll recommend the right system for your accessibility goals.
Does turf get hot in the summer?
Like most outdoor surfaces, turf can get warm in direct sun. Lighter infills, shade structures, and placing play areas thoughtfully all help. Ask us about shade options.
What maintenance does playground turf need?
Blow off leaves and debris, brush the fibers periodically, and top up infill in high-traffic areas like slide exits and under swings.
How much does playground turf cost?
Pricing depends on square footage, fall height (pad), base work, and site access. Request a quote and we’ll put together a project-specific price.
Free estimate
Ready to price your playground turf?
Send us your square footage and equipment, or ask for a site visit. We’ll recommend the right pad and turf.