Our Lady of the Holy Souls
Arkansas Largest Synthetic Grass School Installation
In this article we will cover the largest non-sports artificial grass installation installed to date in the state of Arkansas. Recently National Greens took on the job of creating a one of a kind synthetic grass installation for Our Lady of the Holy Souls School located in Little Rock, Arkansas. The jobs final design encompassed an area larger than 30,000 square feet.
Four major areas were focused on in the construction of this project:
First, a large baseball field size area on level ground used for games, assemblies, and other large student gatherings.
Second, an amphitheater installation and pick-nick area located on a shaded hill for class assemblies and lunch outings.
Third, a large scale middle school playground with large amounts modern equipment and 10 foot fall safety height (equipment is 7 feet tall).
Fourth, a pre-k playground using modern equipment, canvas sun shades, and an 8 foot fall height (equipment is 5 feet tall).
This project presented several challenges as the school desired turf on hilly areas where seaming turf can be difficult. We also used different colors of turf in order to easily and quickly direct students to certain areas during assemblies. The major challenge was installing turf around complex preexisting playground equipment. However the challenges were met and the results turned out amazing.
The first step was demolishing and replacing the current landscape located on the play field which was weather and drainage tatter natural grass with stones and dirt openly exposed. This was not ideal for children to play on. This surface was scraped and leveled then covered with 4-6 inches of crushed and compacted granite to make a base that will never erode due to water drainage. A geotextile weed fabric was then laid down and the turf on top of that.
In the playground for older children an old rubber pour in place surface had to be refurbished and restored before modern synthetic grass could be installed over it. This was also the area where the turf had to be seamed around literally hundreds of preexisting playground equipment poles. The surface was challenging but actually provided a wonderful soft fall safe play surface.
The pre-k playground was built using an extremely safe and soft turf type for small children. There is also no infill so small children are not at risk for particle inhalation when crawling on its surface. Below the turfs surface there is a extremely thick and soft foam padding layer to protect against falls from equipment and running. Additionally the entire pre-k playground is covered with canvas kite type sun shades to protect young children from sun exposure.
The new installation provided the school with a 50% savings on their yearly water costs and significant savings in maintenance in general. Their playground areas were also now usable 365 days a year. Playtime injuries were also reduced by 80% making the school safer for both children and adults. No more scraped knees, or bruises. The students wear specific uniforms that can be susceptible to stains from grass and mud, no longer with National Greens synthetic grass.
Overall the project made the school more attractive, safer, more efficient, and more appealing to parents considering sending their children there. Both students and teachers alike rave about the new artificial grass surface. After this installation many other central Arkansas school have begun considering the switch to synthetic grass playgrounds and sports surfaces.
To see photos of the Holy Souls synthetic grass installation follow the link listed here: Holy Souls Flickr Page
Contact NationalGreens.com today for more information on how synthetic grass can improve your home, office, or school location.
NationalGreens@yahoo.com
501-744-5592
I have only recently started reading your blog, but am glad to have found it; it’s highly informative and very interesting, so please keep up the good work!