Fake Grass at Lakelands Park Looking for Rain
Workers spread the organic infill at Lakelands Park field. PHOTO | Krista Brick
It may be an artificial field but what it needs is some rain.
The organic turf field being built at Lakelands Park in Gaithersburg is nearly done, but now Gaithersburg Project Manager Sean Stevens said the synthetic grass could use a little rain.
“We need rain to settle in the infill,” he said looking over the site Thursday.
The infill is what makes this field unique- and organic. It’s a mix of coconut fibers, rice husk and cork instead of the black rubber used in most synthetic turf fields.
The city doesn’t have a sprinkler system on the field and handwatering would be too time consuming, Stevens said.
The project is several weeks behind schedule due to construction issues. Stevens said he expects it might be ready for play in a couple of weeks. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for the end of October.
Crews were still evening out the infill and completing landscaping Thursday. A test for the fields hardness is scheduled for early next week, according to Stevens.
“It’s really coming together. I feel good about it,” Stevens said.
When completed the Lakelands Park organic turf field will be only the second such field in the state.
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Fake Grass at Lakelands Park Looking for Rain
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Hi Krista,
Regarding the last piece about water and the accompanying photo, its important to note that the picture was taken before the field was finished and the organic infill was still being installed. Unfortunately, the City did not have water available on site yet and we were in fact waiting for rain because the organic infill needs to settle in place to complete the installation. Yet, the piece and photo paint an awful picture of the system, I have gotten so many comments on this already because this is not what our fields look like. Saint Tim’s HS in Stevenson, MD is still beautiful after 3 years and if you look at the finished Lakelands Field now, you will find the most natural looking organic/synthetic playing field that is getting nothing but rave reviews!
Thank you
– Domenic Carapella