The Ronald McDonald House in Spokane provides a home-away-from-home for families with children receiving critical medical care, including many young kids battling cancer. As part of a facility upgrade led by Bouten Construction, the outdoor play area was identified as a priority space — a place where children could safely play, relax, and experience a sense of normalcy during incredibly difficult times.
Initially, various surfacing options were considered. However, the team wanted a solution that would prioritize safety, comfort, and long-term durability. That’s where ATS Turf was brought in to collaborate on the best approach.
The Challenge with Traditional Surfacing
Rubber mulch and pour-in-place surfacing are commonly specified for playgrounds, but both presented concerns for this project:
- Durability: PIP often deteriorates within 5–7 years in the Northwest climate, while rubber mulch quickly scatters and requires frequent upkeep.
- Hygiene: Maintaining a clean and sanitary surface was especially critical, given the vulnerable immune systems of many children who stay at Ronald McDonald House.
- Safety: Long-term impact absorption is a must, and surfaces that harden or degrade can create unnecessary risks.
With these factors in mind, the decision was made to move toward a turf-based safety surfacing system.
The Solution: SYNtipede + Brock Impact Pad
ATS Turf worked alongside Bouten Construction to design and install a premium turf playground system featuring:
- SYNLawn SYNtipede artificial turf – a soft, durable, natural-looking surface.
- Brock impact pad underlayment – engineered for reliable shock absorption and safety, meeting all ASTM fall-height standards.
- Hot-melted seams – ensuring maximum strength, durability, and long-term performance with minimal risk of seam separation.
This system was chosen because it delivers consistent safety, reduced maintenance, and double the expected lifespan compared to pour-in-place or mulch systems. Importantly, it also provides a clean, comfortable, and welcoming surface for children with unique health needs.
Results
The entire playground surfacing project was completed in just one week, minimizing disruption to families and staff. The end result is a beautiful, natural-looking play space that will serve children for many years to come.
By choosing turf over traditional surfacing options, Ronald McDonald House and Bouten Construction ensured:
- Safety: A surface that retains fall-height protection over time.
- Longevity: A system designed to last 10–15 years in the Northwest, nearly twice the life of pour-in-place.
- Peace of mind: Cleaner, more consistent surfacing for children with compromised health.