Heritage Recreation Center Gets New Turf

PUYALLUP, WA — Pierce County Parks and Recreation officials hope to see even more action at the Heritage Recreation Center in South Hill now that they've replaced a grass soccer and baseball field with synthetic turf. The new turf field should allow sports matches in variable weather conditions, night or day, all year-round, officials said in the Wednesday announcement.

The new turf field at 9010 128th St. East is infilled with a product called Envirofill, which was chosen by Parks and Recreation administrators from among a variety of other materials, such as crumb rubber, coated crumb rubber, and cork.

Envirofill, from USGreentech, is described as "a high-performance product, made of Microban-infused, acrylic-coated sand granules," officials said. It was reportedly chosen based on its cost, its impact to public health, and for its safety and longevity ratings.

"Envirofill was determined to be the safer, cleaner, longer-lasting and more cost-effective choice," Pierce County P&R Capital Projects Manager Benjamin Barrett said in a statement. "It is the only reusable infill on the market. Envirofill’s performance and benefits will be monitored to evaluate durability, ease of maintenance and the reduction of future capital costs of replacement."

While lights at the Heritage Recreation Center field were already helping illuminate night games, the synthetic turf will reportedly increase the number of games — specifically soccer matches — that can be played in inclement weather. Additionally, during summer months the turf's infill will not absorb heat so well, alleviating players on the field from any hot turf-related injuries.

Installing the turf was made possible thanks to a Youth Athletic Facilities grant from the Washington State Recreation Conservation Office earmarked for the very purpose of improving the two fields, which will reportedly be maintained in partnership with the Puyallup School District.

Images via Pierce County Parks & Recreation