Why an in-fill system?  Why not replace the sand fields with grass?

In-fill systems are particularly well suited to soccer and other field sports, especially in wet weather.  It has been shown to be safer than grass and it plays like grass.  However, unlike grass, it doesn’t wear out. Superior water drainage is a significant advantage to this product. Also, in-fill systems don’t require irrigation and require less maintenance than grass fields.  Grass fields should not be played on in the winter and require other resting times during the year.  Installing two in-fill system fields will be equivalent to adding six new fields.  According to DA Hogan, a design firm, a well-drained grass field gives 150 uses per year before it breaks down.  On Bainbridge Island, only Sands and Woodward fields qualify as these fields.  A grass field on soil (all the other fields on Bainbridge Island) give 75 uses per year.  All the fields on the Island sustain use much higher than these figures.   A quality in-fill system gives unlimited quality uses per year. Furthermore, because of its antiquated water system, Battlepoint Park probably does not have enough water to irrigate two additional grass fields.

Isn’t grass more natural?

The grass used for playing fields is not native to the Northwest.  Therefore, it needs to be frequently fertilized and treated with pesticides and herbicides to be properly maintained.  If fields #4 and #5 were grass fields, it is estimated they would require 3000 lbs of fertilizer per year for proper maintenance. These products leach into the environment.