Pros: The good news is that synthetic turf as a playground surface is actually a cost saver – over time. After three to five years, your initial investment will be less than what you would have paid for natural grass installation and upkeep.

Synthetic turf does not need watering, fertilizing, pesticides, or mowing. So in addition to not needing to pay for those things, and getting peace of mind that you do not have to do constant upkeep – you are also being eco-friendly! You will not need to use fuel for your lawnmower, or potentially hazardous chemicals where children play.

Cons: The bad news is that the upfront cost of installing fake grass is much more expensive than seeding natural grass or laying down sod. Synthetic turf costs anywhere from $6-$20 per square foot for materials plus the cost of installation itself.

There are many types of grass products and some suit play areas better than others. The cheapest yarn is made out of nylon. But nylon is not suitable for playground areas because it is overly tough to the point where it gives legendary turf burns.

While you do not want to see wear and tear on your artificial turf too quickly, you probably also do not want your grass to be able to injure the children when they fall on it. Polyethylene is the best choice for playgrounds and is mid-range in terms of cost and is a high quality product. Polyethylene is durable enough to withstand above average foot traffic in your playground area but not so tough that it could skin knees.