Play Area Turf in Roseville, CA

Play area turf is artificial grass installed over a shock-absorbing pad so kids have a soft, clean place to play. In Roseville backyards it usually goes under a swing set or climbing structure, across a section of lawn the kids have worn bare, or in a side yard turned into a play space. Schools, daycares and HOA tot lots use it to replace wood chips and sand that need constant raking and topping up.

Padding and fall height

Under play equipment, the turf alone is not enough cushion. We install a foam or rubber shock pad under the turf, and the pad thickness depends on how high a child could fall from the equipment. Greatmats and other playground suppliers sell pads in several thicknesses for different fall heights. Fixr lists playground turf installations at about $6 to $20 per square foot, with the pad being a big part of the spread.

Drainage for winter play

Kids want to play the day after a storm. On Roseville's slow-draining soils, a play area can stay soggy for days if water has nowhere to go. We slope the base and pad so water flows off the play area and out of the yard, which also keeps the pad from staying wet.

Summer heat

This is the most important conversation for play turf. Synthetic grass in direct sun can get far hotter than the air; a UNLV study recorded 169-degree turf surfaces. For Roseville summers we strongly recommend shade over play areas, from the house, a tree, a shade sail or a covered structure. Rinsing the turf before play cools it for a while. Lighter colors and certain infills help a little but do not make sunny turf cool.

No wood chips, no mud

Wood chips scatter, sand gets tracked inside, and bare dirt turns to mud every winter. Turf stays put, does not need topping up the same way, and gives a clean, even surface that is easy to inspect.

Care

Blow off leaves, rinse the area now and then, brush the turf a few times a year, and look over the edges and seams. Under swings, where feet drag, the turf wears fastest; we can add a replaceable mat or extra pad there.

Planning a backyard play space

A good layout keeps the swing set and climber on padded turf, leaves open turf for running, and puts a shade structure or tree over the busiest spot. We leave clear paths to the house and a hard-surface landing at the door so shoes come in clean. If the equipment might change as kids grow, we can size the padded zone with room to spare.