Riverview hopes to add artificial turf at elementary school playgrounds
Riverview’s elementary students might soon be able to experience uninterrupted play.
“For years and years our elementary school playgrounds have been like a dust bowl,” said Superintendent Neil English.
“We’ve tried all sorts of different solutions to try to fix those issues and it continues to be a problem.”
Agronomist and Oakmont resident Dave Delsandro has been working with the district on a plan to replace the grass in Verner and Tenth Street elementary schools with synthetic grass turf.
Delsandro, who spent six years as golf course superintendent at Oakmont Country Club before opening a turf and grass consulting and advising firm with a partner, has children in the district.
“We’ll start with an excavation of both sites about six inches, plus or minus, to remove all that material,” Delsandro said. “(Then they’ll) install subsurface drainage at both facilities.”
After these initial steps, the land would be graded to prepare for the synthetic material’s installation. Delsandro said the synthetic padding that would be installed beneath the turf grass is rapidly becoming industry standard and isn’t uncommon to see on playgrounds.
“(The turf) is specifically designed for high-traffic, multi-use fields and playgrounds,” he said.
The synthetic grass surface would be about an inch and a half long and ADA accessible.
Over the years, the playground areas have had issues with proper drainage and are intermittently closed because of weather conditions. Delsandro said the grass being replaced would improve the area’s “usability,” enhance safety for students, lead to less maintenance for the district and boost aesthetics.
Riverview School Board is expected to vote Nov. 18 on whether to proceed with the project.
Southwest Greens, a synthetic grass and turf solution company, would carry out the project for a little over $153,000 out of the district’s capital budget.
If the plan is approved, the project is expected to start in January and be completed by the beginning of March.
Haley Daugherty is a TribLive reporter covering local politics, feature stories and Allegheny County news. A native of Pittsburgh, she lived in Alabama for six years. She joined the Trib in 2022 after graduating from Chatham University. She can be reached at hdaugherty@triblive.com.
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