It’s not news that childhood obesity is an increasing concern in America. One undeniable part of a comprehensive strategy against child obesity is to get our kids outside and moving more than they do today.
Let’s Move!, the comprehensive government initiative launched by First Lady Michelle Obama, concurs.
The program states children need 60 minutes of play with moderate to vigorous activity every day. Doing this will allow them to grow to a healthy weight. With that in mind, artificial grass play areas may be a good idea. In fact, artificial grass could be the answer we have been looking for.
This is especially true concerning children between 8-18 years old, They spend an average of 7.5 hours a day couch surfing entertainment. In response, communities nationwide are searching for ways to build new outdoor play areas. Artificial grass play areas are a good idea. They are not only safe and inviting, but environmentally friendly, water-wise and easy to maintain.
Artificial Grass Play Areas Fight Obesity
There’s even a non-profit organization solely dedicated to “saving play for America’s children.” Since its founding in 1996, KaBOOM! has mapped over 85,000 places to play in the United States. In addition, they have built more than 2,000 playgrounds. Synthetic lawns like NewGrass® have proved to be one solution for community organizations, schools, cities and families searching for a way to provide play areas for children that are:
- Safe for kids of all ages (especially when installed with a cushioned underlining)
- Free of the dirt, mud and rocks associated with traditional gravel playgrounds
- Allergen- and weed-free
- Maintained without pesticides or insecticides
- Green and available for activity any time of the year
- Water-wise, requiring no watering the way turf grass does
- Easy to maintain, with just an occasional cleaning off with a rake, leaf blower or “washing” with the garden hose
Combined with their durability and being “live” year-round, artificial grass play areas are popular alternatives. You can find them in many schoolyards, playgrounds and backyards. This is especially true where natural grass simply can’t grow.
Our NewGrass president notes, “The year-round use of NewGrass is attractive. This, combined with its safety and eco-friendly features are key reasons for use. Schools, day care centers and similar facilities nationwide, install NewGrass. It encourages more children to get outside and play.”
Accidents are Cause for Concern
Yet, one of the biggest challenges to get children moving is providing safe play areas. More than 500,000 children a year incur injury on playground equipment. This, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. About 150,000 of these injuries are serious. An average of 15 children dying each year in playground accidents.
Artificial grass play areas would make a difference. In fact, about one-fourth of all serious playground injuries occur in the backyard. This, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Artificial lawns usually have a backing of rubber latex or similar material. NewGrass® has a primary backing layer of urethane and a secondary backing of polypropylene. In addition, we offer BioCel™ with recycled PET plastic incorporated into the backing systems. PET plastic is recycled from soft drink, water and juice bottles. Look for the #1 code on or near the bottom of the bottle.
Why Artificial Grass Makes Safe Playgrounds
Another playground culprit is dust and dirt that a typical schoolyard can create as natural grass wears out. A schoolyard with natural turf can also spawn allergens. Furthermore, allergies have no cure.
An obvious option is synthetic grass. NewGrass®, for example, has fibers that are broadloom-tufted with high-quality polyethylene, a non-allergen. The Dobson Academy, in Chandler, Ariz., chose NewGrass® for several of its common and recreation areas. They felt that the synthetic grass option was simply more practical, particularly in a dry desert climate. It was the perfect answer to play spaces for kids.
Seems like the Arizona State University Children’s Campus Center in Tempe had NewGrass® installed for similar reasons. Also, NewGrass® is the no water grass of choice of many designers and installers.
Key reasons are that it is lead-safe, provides safety under play sets, and is superior to traditional natural products – include grass, sand and wood chips – as as a ground cover under playground equipment. Isn’t it time for you to consider NewGrass?
