Background
Sun City Church is a thriving church in Spokane, WA, that wanted to create a safe, welcoming, and long-lasting playground for children and families. As part of their campus expansion, they looked for a surfacing solution that would provide both safety and durability while enhancing the overall aesthetics of their outdoor space.
Like many organizations, they initially considered traditional playground surfacing options, such as pour-in-place rubber. However, after evaluating long-term performance and safety concerns, the church leadership chose to invest in a premium artificial turf system — and brought in ATS Turf to lead the project.
The Challenge with Traditional Surfacing
While pour-in-place and rubber mulch are common surfacing options, both present issues that can be especially challenging for community organizations:
- Shorter Lifespan: PIP often lasts only 5–7 years in the Northwest before cracking and hardening, while mulch requires constant replenishment.
- Maintenance Demands: Both systems can quickly degrade, leading to recurring repair or replacement costs.
- Aesthetic Concerns: The church wanted a clean, natural-looking surface that matched the beauty and welcoming atmosphere of their campus.
The Solution: Turf + Full Playground Installation
ATS Turf designed and delivered a comprehensive playground solution for Sun City Church, including:
- SYNLawn SYNtipede artificial turf with Brock impact pad – engineered for safety up to an 8-foot fall height and compliant with all ASTM standards.
- Antimicrobial sand infill for cleanliness and hygiene. Antistatic fibers built into the turf for comfort and usability.
- Hot-melted seams to ensure maximum durability and longevity.
Beyond the turf installation, ATS Turf managed and installed all of the playground structures and shade systems, providing Sun City with a turnkey solution from surfacing to equipment.
Results
The project was completed in just two weeks, giving Sun City Church a playground that is safe, visually appealing, and built to last. The decision to choose turf over pour-in-place surfacing means the church can expect:
- Double the lifespan (10–15 years compared to 5–7 years for PIP).
- Consistent safety performance over time.
- Lower long-term maintenance costs.
- A complete, ready-to-use playground that integrates surfacing, play equipment, and shade structures.
Conclusion
By selecting artificial turf over pour-in-place and partnering with ATS Turf for the full playground package, Sun City Church invested in a safe, durable, and beautiful play space for its community. The result is a playground that reflects the church’s values — creating a space where children and families can gather, play, and grow together for years to come.
