- 8330 Maltby Rd Suite B Woodinville, WA 98072
- 425-788-0718
When it comes to designing a playground, safety is always the top priority—but it shouldn’t come at the expense of durability, aesthetics, or long-term cost-efficiency. In recent years, many schools, parks, and daycare centers have started moving away from traditional materials like wood chips and poured rubber in favor of synthetic turf playground systems. And at Synthetic Turf Northwest, that trend is only growing.
“There has been an influx of playgrounds switching to turf instead of the usual play chips or mulch,” says Shae Olson, Wholesale Retail Coordinator at Synthetic Turf Northwest. “It creates a safer surface for children to play on, especially when padding is added underneath for fall protection.”
In this blog, we take a closer look at what goes into a premium playground turf system, what makes it different from other types of turf installations, and why safety-certified padding is such a game-changer.
At Synthetic Turf Northwest, we specialize in playground surface coverings that prioritize safety, durability, and year-round usability. With nearly three decades of experience installing artificial grass systems across the Pacific Northwest, we know what it takes to build safe and accessible play spaces for schools, daycares, and public parks.
Our synthetic turf playground systems are engineered and tested to exceed critical safety benchmarks, including ASTM F1292, which requires that surfacing meet head injury criteria (HIC) and critical fall height standards. These regulations help ensure that when a child falls from a play structure, the surface below is capable of reducing the impact and preventing serious injury.
“Our turf systems are built to absorb impact and keep kids safe,” says Olson. “That’s why we always recommend including fall padding—especially for schools and daycares.”
Compared to residential or sports turf, playground installations involve far more customization—especially to meet inspection standards.
“Playground installs typically require a custom fall padding material to pass inspection,” Olson explains. “Sports fields are known to have a custom material where the turf and pad are sewn together—padded turf. But for playgrounds, it’s about layered systems under the turf.”
In most cases, we use unitary synthetic turf systems, which are bonded and stable. These systems offer consistent performance, long-term durability, and ADA accessibility. At Synthetic Turf Northwest, every playground installation includes three main layers:
Every playground has a unique layout, and the tallest point of any play structure determines the regulated fall height. From there, we select the right fall pad thickness:
“Using the regulated fall height—or the tallest point of the play structure to the ground—helps determine the right thickness for the padding,” Olson says.
These pads are tested and certified to meet ASTM F1292 regulations, which evaluate surface impact performance using HIC values. Certification ensures that turf systems offer reliable protection—even over time.
Yes. In fact, that’s one of the biggest advantages of foam padding systems. “The padding is foam so you can cut and shape the area,” Olson says. That flexibility makes it ideal for creative playground designs with curves, ramps, or unique play equipment layouts.
It also makes future modifications easier—no need to tear up poured rubber or replace entire sections of bark.
Here is a closer look at how synthetic turf and padding compares to traditional playground surfaces:
Engineered Wood Fiber (Play Bark)
Affordable up front, but high-maintenance. It compacts quickly, loses fall protection, and turns muddy in rainy seasons—especially in the Pacific Northwest. Maintaining compliance with ASTM standards is difficult without constant upkeep.
Pea Gravel
Low-cost but not ADA accessible, and often fails modern safety standards. It can shift easily and poses tripping or slipping hazards.
Poured-in-Place Rubber
Durable and seamless but expensive to install. Over time, it can crack, fade from UV exposure, and requires expensive spot repairs—often needing full section replacement.
Synthetic Turf + Playgrounds
Cleaner, softer, safer surface
It’s a long-term investment in safety, aesthetics, and peace of mind.
Synthetic Turf Northwest has completed playground turf installations across the Puget Sound region, including for Sammamish Montessori and The Evergreen School. These clients prioritize not only safety but also ease of maintenance and professional appearance.
“Fall pad is very important for school playgrounds or daycares,” Olson says. “If a customer decides not to get it and the area does not pass inspection, there’s a chance the installation will have to be redone.”
That’s why our team walks every client through their options based on fall height, equipment type, and long-term use. Getting it right the first time matters—not just for compliance, but for whoever will use the space every day.
Public parks often operate on limited budgets, which can lead to cheaper surface materials with higher maintenance needs and less consistent safety. In contrast, private schools and childcare centers increasingly invest in synthetic turf systems for long-term reliability and lower total cost of ownership.
Turf may cost more upfront, but it pays off in:
Whether you’re building a new schoolyard or upgrading a community park, synthetic turf is changing how we think about playground safety. It’s clean, durable, and most importantly, safe from the ground up. Contact us today to learn more about our certified synthetic turf playground systems—and how we can help bring your vision for a safer, smarter playground to life.
The Northwest & Seattle area’s leader in residential synthetic lawns and golf greens. We are a locally owned and operated company with over 20 years of experience in residential Synthetic Grass and Golf Green installation. Because we have our artificial golf turf designed and manufactured at textile mills, both international & domestic, the quality of our products is unrivaled. Our artificial turf offers a great value.
Mon – Fri
8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Same-day orders must be placed by 3:30 pm
Synthetic Turf Northwest
8330 Maltby Rd Suite B,
Woodinville, WA 98072
2001 48th Ct, Unit D
Fife, WA 98424
Contractor Registration #SYNTHTN850J8
