www.SynTurf.org

No. 47] Chicago, Illinois: Vandalism strikes Lincoln Park’s artificial turf field. July 2013.

No. 45] Bryan, Texas: Vandal causes $150,000 of damage to artificial turf field. September 2012.

No. 44]: Pearland, Texas: Vengeful damage to artificial turf field.

No. 25 East Hampton, NY: Cost update on $ graffiti. July 2009

No. 24 Eustace, Texas: The “low maintenance” artificial turf fields cost $350,000 to $400,000 to repair following vandalism. July 2009

No. 23 East Hampton, NY: More details about $ burn on turf field; repair could cost $100,000. July 2009

No. 22 East Hampton, NY: Vandal burns a $ sign into turf field. July 2009.

No. 21 Salisbury, Pennsylvania: Charges are filed in turf vandalism. June 2009.

No. 20 Glasgow, Lanarkshire, UK: Vandals torch turf field. June 2009.

No. 19 Watertown, NY: Cigarettes burns damages turf at high school. May 2009 

No. 18  Baltimore, Maryland: County okays $600,000 for protection of turf fields and other park amenities. May 2009.

No. 17 Scotch Plains, New Jersey: Vandals strike turf. May 2009.

No. 16 Toronto, Canada: Liar, liar – the turf’s on fire! April 2009.

No. 15 Bluffton, South Carolina: A burning issue: flammability of rubber in playgrounds. April 2009.

No. 14 Chatham, New Jersey: Vandalism to turf injures player. March 2009.

No. 13 Lehigh Valley, PA: Vandals strike turf field; painted messages removed. March 2009 (updated).

No. 12 Destrehan, LA:  Vandals spry paint turf field; chemicals and solvents to the rescue! December 2008.

No. 11 Sydenham (Melbourne), Australia: Students vandalize turf field. December 2008.

No. 10 El Paso, Texas: High school field is vandalized. October 2008.

No. 09 Midland City, Ala.: Turf field vandalized. August 2008.

Photo credit: Kevin Stent, Fairfax, NZ

[No. 51] Wellington, New Zealand: Arsonist burn up school’s synthetic turf field. According to a news report in The Dominion Post (31 May 2015), “Wellington police are investigating after arsonists dumped what appears to be a pile of plastic items on Lyall Bay’s School artificial grass turf, melting a crater in it in what the school's principal says has been a hugely disappointing act. According to the school’s website, the community had recently invested more than [NZ]$700,000 [1NZ$=.71US$] in the playground, including netball courts and the turf.” Source: Talia Shadwell, “Arsonist hits Wellington school’s new sports turf,” in The Dominion Post, 31 May 2015, at http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/68999581/arsonist-hits-wellington-schools-new-sports-turf

[No. 42] Naperville, Illinois: Fire damages college’s turf field. According to a news report on MyFoxChicago.com (31 August 2011), on Saturday, August 27, “someone started the North Central football stadium’s artificial turf on fire, possibly using a flare, a release from Naperville police said.” “[The] fire that caused $10,000 damage to artificial turf.” Source: Fox Chicago News, “Reward Offered in Naperville North Central College Artificial Turf Arson Case,” on MyFoxChicago.com, 31 August 2011, available at http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/north-central-college-naperville-artificial-turf-set-on-fire-arson-reward-20110831

Escondido High School football players practice Tuesday afternoon around a section of vandalized turf. School officials reported an estimated $5,000 in damage to the turf early Tuesday morning, and they had replaced strips cut from the E on Tuesday afternoon, pending permanent repairs. (Staff photo by Morgan Cook)

[No. 41] Escondido, California: Wheel of Misfortune - “The letter E for $5,000.” According to a news report in North County Times (August 23, 2011), “Authorities were looking Tuesday 9August 23] for vandals who caused an estimated $5,000 in damage to the football field at Escondido High School, police said. School officials reported damage to the field's synthetic turf at 6:10 a.m., Escondido police Officer Steve Higgins said. It appeared vandals had cut apart the large “E” printed on the turf. School officials covered the damage and arranged for the company that installed the turf to make repairs, Higgins said. The synthetic turf was about a year old, he said. Officials were hoping to repair the damage before a sporting event scheduled for Friday. No suspects had been identified Tuesday, and the incident was under investigation, Higgins said.” Source: Morgan Cook, “Vandals strike Escondido High School, police say,” in North County Times, August 23, 2011, available at http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/escondido/article_70a2f229-4fea-5d56-af0b-d227431e9e50.html .

[No. 40]  Carson City, Nevada: Artificial turf woes for high school.  According to a news report in Nevada Appeal (July 12, 2011), over the weekend of July 9-10, “vandals spray-painted the football field, which is made of artificial turf.” This among the latest in a string of vandalism at the stadium. “Another increasing trend is dog waste….crews are regularly cleaning up after dogs, but parts of the turf have already been damaged from urine.” Source: Teri Vance, “Help sought in track vandalism probe,” in Nevada Appeal, July 12, 2011, available at http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20110712/NEWS/110719956/1070&ParentProfile=1058

[No. 39] Eudora, Kansas: Vandals pen profanities on artificial turf. According to a news report in the Kansas City Star (July 13, 2011), on July 8 officials discovered $25,000 worth of damage to Eudora High School’s new stadium. According to police,  “the vandals painted profanities and rude images on the field’s artificial turf, the wall of a concession stand and a water tower near the stadium.” “[T]he main damage is to the artificial turf.” Source: Associated Press, “Vandals damage Eudora High School's stadium, “ in Kansas City Star, July 13, 2011, available at http://www.kansascity.com/2011/07/13/3011279/vandals-damage-at-eudora-high.html

Michael Penn / Juneau Empire - A Juneau youth plays soccer near the burned artificial turf at Adair-Kennedy Park. on Wednesday. The damage occurred over the Memorial Day weekend. Minor damage was reported at the Thunder Mountain High School sports field last weekend.

[No. 38] Juneau, Alaska: Artificial turf fields damaged by fire, burns; one needs to be replaced completely. According to a news report in the Juneau Empire (June 23, 2011), “ Some artificial turf at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park was burned in May, and due to its age and wear the field can’t be permanently spot-patched to fix the damage.” That means the field needs to be replace. According to Parks and Recreation Superintendent George Schaaf, that may cost around $1 million. “Last week, school district employees reported burn marks on the Thunder Mountain High School turf that occurred about two weeks prior.” No accelerant was found at the scene. “Juneau School District Communications Manager Kristin Bartlett said there is a small, circular singed patch on the artificial turf at Thunder Mountain. Bartlett said in talking with staff, they’re not entirely convinced the damage was intentional and think it might have been a model rocket or something that went off course…. [Since May] the school has installed a security camera.” “Adair-Kennedy has the biggest financial dilemma over the arson on its turf [where there was evidence of an accelerant]. There are deep burns in the artificial turf…. [c]ity engineers estimated the arson damage between $10,000 and $25,000 to repair. That said, repairs are actually going to be a lot more expensive and extensive because of the age and wear on the field…. [T]he field is 11 years old and already showing its age…. artificial turf fields are a combination of synthetic carpet grass and crumb rubber. The grass fibers are what holds the rubber in place and the rubber is supposed to be an inch and a half thick. The field thickness is now, on average, a half inch thick…. [T]here are other areas of more common damage, including the areas where soccer players do penalty kicks, for example. Source: Sarah Day, “School district, city fighting arson, vandalism,” in Juneau Empire, June 23, 2011, available at http://juneauempire.com/local/2011-06-23/school-district-city-fighting-arson-vandalism .

[No. 37] Southfield, Michigan: Graffiti mars artificial turf baseball field. According to a news report in Hometown Life (May 26, 2011), vandals spray painted graffiti on the baseball field at Miracle Field some time before Saturday, May 21, 2011, when it was discovered. This is a community facility. According to its director, “If efforts to remove the spray paint are unsuccessful, the manufacturer suggested either replacing ‘a patch’ of the synthetic surface for a cost of $6,000 or the entire brown [infield] section for $60,000.” Source: Steve Kowalski, “Miracles happening in wake of vandalism at Dream Field,” in Hometown Life, May 26, 2011, available at http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20110526/NEWS20/110526003

Photo courtesy of City of St. Catharines

[No. 36] City of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada: Vandals cart off a big slice of the plastic field. According to a news report on Niagara This Week (May 19, 2011), “sometime between the hours of 2 p.m. last Friday [May 13] and 8 a.m. Saturday one or more vandals spent a great deal of effort tearing out a section of the new artificial sports turf [of the Kiwanis Sports Field] at the Seymour Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre.” “The section, in the north-west corner of the field, is just outside the playing surface – chosen, perhaps, because there are no lines painted on it, just green turf. On Tuesday, an employee of a business near Benfield Road called the police after discovering pieces of turf near the rail tracks. Niagara Regional Police media officer Nilan Dave said police are fairly certain most or all of the turf has been recovered.” “Replacing the turf is expected to cost between $14,000 and $15,000.” Source: Mike Zettel, “Vandals steal new artificial turf section,” in Niagara This Week, May 19, 2011, available at http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news/article/1012182--vandals-steal-new-artificial-turf-section

[No. 35] Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia: Vandals target artificial turf field’s irrigation system! Now you have heard it all. In San Diego County, California, folks are being told that installing artificial turf in their yards saves money that otherwise would go to irrigate a lawn or even an ecologically correct grouping of shrubs and other vegetation. We also know that artificial turf playing fields, regardless of the area climate, requires occasional irrigation as a matter of maintenance and playability. In hotter climates, naturally, the need is for water canons and more frequent watering of plastic fields! According to a news report in The Advertiser (March 2, 2011), some time between February 14 and 21, thieves stole parts of the watering system from South Cessnock grounds, used by the Cessnock Hockey Association. “Six of the eight sprinkler systems at the ground were damaged, with copper piping and industrial-sized sprinkler heads removed. This has rendered the synthetic turf unplayable for more than 200 junior and senior players, as it is designed to be watered for an hour before playing.” Source: “Cessnock Hockey hit by vandals,” in The Advertise, March 2, 2011, available at http://www.cessnockadvertiser.com.au/news/local/sport/hockey/cessnock-hockey-hit-by-vandals/2091390.aspx .

[No. 34] Oregon State University: $1,500-damage to Reser Stadium Turf. According to a news report in the Corvallis Gazette-Times (December 8, 2010), the post-game partisan demonstration that involved the burning of a T-shirt caused $1,500 in burn damage to the artificial turf filed at Reser Stadium at Oregon State University. For more on the story, go to “UO student arrested in connection with burn damage to Reser Stadium turf,” in Corvallis Gazette Times, December 8, 2010, available at http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/article_ed66beb8-0309-11e0-9560-001cc4c002e0.html .

[No. 33] Melton, Australia: Coveting the neighbor’s synthetic patch! According to a news item in the Melton Leader (October 15, 2010), during the overnight of October 7, 2010, “a rectangular section of synthetic grass was stolen from Kurunjang Recreational Reserve’s playing surface.” The thief or thieves neatly cut out “a 10m by 2.5m [app. 33 ft by 9 ft] section of the surface.” The Melton shire “residents have been urged to keep an eye out for any of their neighbours installing a new plastic lawn.” The furious mayor of Melton, Justin Mammarella, has promised to prosecute the culprit(s) to the full extent of the law. “We will work with the police to ensure that the culprit or culprits are caught and punished. By stealing from a community asset, these people are stealing from our community. I am appalled by this crime, it is an offence against every person living in Melton shire and a waste of public money,” he said. “The council has now increased security, while police have stepped up patrols around the shire’s synthetic playing surfaces.” Source: Liam McAleer, “Plastic lawn stolen from Melton sports ground,” in Melton Leader, October 15, 2010, available at http://melton-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/plastic-lawn-stolen-from-melton-sports-ground/ .

[No. 32] Petal, Mississippi: Vandals strike turf field. According to a news report in the Hattiesburg American  (June 29, 2010), “Petal school officials on Monday [June 28] found graffiti spray-painted on part of the $7 million football stadium's artificial turf. Vandals wrote "Petal sucks" and "Oak Grove rules" on the field. Also, the letters SCR with a six-pointed star was spray painted on the field. The SCR could be a gang signature.” “We know it happened this weekend, we just don't know when,” Trest said. Petal football coach Steve Buckley said the school has already contacted the turf company about removing the graffiti.” “Buckley said the portions of the turf that were ruined may have to be cut out or chemically cleaned. Buckley said he doesn't have a cost estimate.” Source: Terry L. Jones, “Officials investigate stadium vandalism,” in Hattiesburg American, June 29, 2010, available at http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20100629/NEWS01/6290332 .

[No. 31] Stamford, Connecticut: Bonfire damages artificial turf field. According to a news report in the Stamford Advocate (June 17, 2010), “A small fire consisting of several old tires and dry tree limbs damaged a portion of the synthetic turf football field at Westhill High School on Wednesday [June 16, 2010] morning.” “The fire damaged a small patch of turf near the sidelines at the 50-yard-line.” The word ‘Trinity’ was spray-painted on the football field near the fire.” Source: “Arsonist damages Westhill football field,” in Stamford Advocate, June 17, 2010, available at http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Arsonist-damages-Westhill-football-field-527255.php

[No. 30] Charlotte, North Carolina: Vandals slice artificial turf field. According to a news report on the NBC affiliate WCNC (News Channel 36, June 11, 2010), “Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are looking for the people who cut several pieces of turf from the football field at Ardrey Kell High School. Ardrey Kell was the first Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools athletic facility to get artificial turf at a cost of $500,000 in 2006. Police say last week someone broke in and cut pieces of the turf from the field. Investigators say the vandals damaged a fence to get onto the field, cut the turf and then carried it off. The damage is estimated at $7,500.” Source: “Vandals cut turf on Ardrey Kell football field,” on WCNC.com (News Channel 36), June 11, 2010, available at  http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Vandals-cut-turf-on-Ardrey-Kell-football-field-96145119.html .

[No. 29] Baltimore County, Maryland: It costs real green to protect fake grass from vandals. According to a news story in the Towson Times (June 9, 2010), “Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks officials hope that a plan to install video surveillance cameras at 13 athletic fields around the county will prevent the artificial turf fields from being damaged by vandals.” The impetus to decision comes from  recent vandalism incidents at Seminary Park, in Lutherville, and at Lansdowne High School. At Lansdowne High School the field “was burned twice [doused with lighter fluid] within two months of the completion the installation.” “At Seminary Park, vandals defaced the field with graffiti, also within six months of the completion of the installation.” Thus far the county has spent $13 million since 2007 to create the artificial turf fields. “In order to protect that investment, the department will spend about $500,000 to install state-of-the-art cameras to monitor the fields when the parks are closed. The funding was included in the budget package approved by the County Council last month [May 2010]. The cameras are “able to detect movement and they’re able to detect color [of apparel]. “The cameras are also able to distinguish between a person and an animal, such as a deer.” Source: Bryan P. Sears, “Cameras to help county in turf battle with vandals; County to spend $500,000 to monitor artificial fields,” in Towson Times, June 9, 2010, available at http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/news/106802/cameras-help-county-turf-battle-with-vandals/ .

SynTurf.org Note: Was the cost of surveillance, equipment and man-our to monitor and respond to events, factored into the fiscal decision to purchase the field in the first place? Obviously not. But why not?

[No. 28] Ann Arbor, Michigan: Someone offs with a piece of turf! According to a news report by in the Tribune News Services (March 31, 2010), “University of Michigan police are seeking suspects after someone cut a piece of the block 'M' from the football field at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. U-M Police spokeswoman Diane Brown said a 6-inch by 4-foot piece of the artificial turf was taken from the stadium between 3:30 p.m. Friday and 11:30 a.m. Monday. She said the stadium is locked during weekends. Brown estimated damage at about $1,000.” Source: “Piece of block 'M' stolen from Michigan Stadium,” Tribune News Services, March 31, 2010, available at  http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/03/piece-of-block-m-stolen-from-michigan-stadium.html  .

[No. 27] Middletown, Maryland: Vandals torch artificial turf field. According to news reports, on mid-morning Monday (August 3), school officials discovered that overnight vandals burnt a 15' x 16' area of the Middletown High School's new artificial turf football field. The 240-square-foot burned patch of field was set on fire below the large “M” on the 50-yard line of the field. According to the authorities, an unidentified ignitable liquid was used to start the fire. It caused about $50,000 - $75,000 in damage. Sources: Charya Lon, “Football Coach Reacts to Damage to New Turf Field,” on WHAG-TV, August  4, 2009, available at http://your4state.com/content/fulltext/?cid=74601 (picture and video); and “Arsonists burn Middletown High football field,” in Frederick News Post, August 3, 2009, available at http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/displayUpdate.htm?StoryID=93423 .

[No. 26] Naperville, Ill.: Two months old – turf field get christened with graffiti. According to a news story in the Chicago Daily Herald (July 21, 2009), “Vandals used spray paint to damage Naperville North High School’s football field just two months after new synthetic turf was installed … The graffiti was discovered Friday [July 17] and police believe the vandals struck either early that morning or the night before. The vandalism included spray paint and vulgar language.” The damage is primarily on one half of the field and authorities do not yet know the cost to clean it. “The district tried to use several products recommended by the turf manufacturer along with a power washer, but the field will require additional cleaning. The toughest parts to clean are the white numbers on the field.” “We start cleaning it out and it bleeds or there's a shadow in the white areas,” said Steve Mathis, director of buildings and grounds. “An Ohio-based company with specialized equipment will arrive next week to see if it can clean the turf more thoroughly.” “If that’s not successful, Mathis said, the district will have to decide whether it will try to paint over the damaged areas or replace parts of the turf.” “Mathis said it will be ready for the team to use, but there may still be faint shadows left from the spray paint.” Source: “Vandals hit Naperville North football field,” in Chicago Daily Herald, July 21, 2009, available at http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=308470&src=2 .

[No. 25] East Hampton, NY: Cost update on $ graffiti. According to a news story in The East Hampton Star (July 23, 2009),  “A 20-by-60-foot dollar sign that was burned into East Hampton High School’s synthetic turf football field will cost $65,000 to repair, according to Raymond Gualtieri, the district superintendent.” Source: Kate Maier, “Scorched Turf Will Cost $65,000 to Fix,” in The East Hampton Star, July 23, 2009, available at http://www.easthamptonstar.com/dnn/Home/News/ScorchedTurf/tabid/9518/Default.aspx . For earlier coverage of this story see http://www.synturf.org/vandalism.html (Item Nos. 22 and 23).

[No. 24] Eustace, Texas: The “low maintenance” artificial turf fields cost $350,000 to $400,000 to repair following vandalism. According to a news report in Athens daily Review (July15, 2009), two have been charged for causing somewhere between $350,000 to $400,000 in damage to the

the three-year-old FieldTurf surface at Eustace High School. “The damage was done in a 1999 Ford F-250 pickup…. The vehicle crashed though two fences to gain access to the field. Once inside, the truck left tire marks from the goal line to the 50-yard-line and damage to other spots on the field.” Source: Rich Flowers (News Editor), “Eustace teens charged with criminal mischief,” in Athens Daily Review, July 15, 2009, available at http://www.athensreview.com/local/local_story_196224203.html .

[No. 23] East Hampton, NY: More details about $ burn on turf field; repair could cost $100,000. According to a news story in The East Hampton Press (July 14, 2009), the police is still investigating the 20 by 60-foot dollar sign that was burned onto the East Hampton High School’s two-year old synthetic turf field early on July 5. See http://www.synturf.org/vandalism.html (Item No. 22). “East Hampton Superintendant Raymond Gaultieri said that he is waiting for the turf company that installed the field to provide an estimate of how much it will cost to repair the damage. He said the cost could be as high as $100,000.” “The turf company will most likely have to cut out the torched middle strip that’s about 20 feet wide and about 100 feet long and put a new strip in. The tricky part is, the field lines are embroidered, not painted. So when a piece of turf is cut out, the embroidery for all the lines that are cut out must be replaced.” “The school has a $10,000 deductible with its insurance company for acts of vandalism, according to the superintendant.” Source: Carolyn Kormann, “Police still investigating the 20 by 60-foot dollar sign burned onto field,” in The East Hampton Press, July 14, 2009, available at http://www.27east.com/story_detail.cfm?id=222263&town=East%20Hampton .

[No. 22] East Hampton, NY: Vandal burns a $ sign into turf field. According to a news report in The East Hampton Star (July 9, 2009), over the 4^th of July weekend, a vandal burned a 20-by-60-foot-long dollar sign into the synthetic turf football field at East Hampton High School, leaving behind a five-page letter of protest, signed ‘Love, Anonymous.’ The fire melted the grass fibers and crumb rubber infill. It all could have gone up in smoke, according to one official. The officials do not as yet have a cost estimate for the damage. “The last time the new athletic facility had been vandalized, when graffiti including “a giant penis” were spray-painted on the track in October of last year, the $40,000 cleanup cost was covered by insurance.” For more on this story, go to Kate Maier, “School Field Vandalized By Tax Critic,” in The East Hampton Star, July 9, 2009, available at http://www.easthamptonstar.com/dnn/Home/News/SchoolField/tabid/9388/Default.aspx , or to Brett Mauser and Aaron Boyd, “Vandals Scorch A Giant Dollar Sign In East Hampton Football Field,” on Hamptons.com, July 9, 2009, available at http://www.hamptons.com/News/Main-Articles/8169/Vandals-Scorch-A-Giant-Dollar-Sign-In-East.html?j=1 .

[No. 21] Salisbury, Pennsylvania: Charges are filed in turf vandalism. According to a news report in The Morning Call, June 18, 2009, the authorities have charged “[t]wo graduates of Salisbury High School, including one who had played on the school’s football team … for spray-painting racial slurs on the stadium’s artificial turf and track” back in March. [For the earlier story, see http://www.synturf.org/vandalism.html (Item No. 13)]. Source: Tracy Jordan, “Charges filed in Salisbury stadium turf vandalism,” in The Morning Call, June 18, 2009, available at http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-vandals-salisbury-061809-cn,0,5215509.story 

[No. 20] Glasgow, Lanarkshire, UK: Vandals torch turf field. According to a news report in the Rutherglen Reformer (June 17, 2009), “FIREBUGS have targeted Halfway and District Bowling Club as they set the club’s green alight.” The artificial grass set on fire before the morning of a tournament [between 2 am and 9 am] which was to be hosted by the club on Saturday, June 6. It is expected it will cost a lot to replace the turf and club president Jacky Fergus has blasted those responsible.” The smoldering fire was discovered on Saturday morning before the tournament. “The vandals must have set the fire during the night,” according to the club president. “This is not the only time the bowling club has been targeted by vandals. The club have already had to go to the expense of having a fence installed to keep the vandals at bay. Apparently, trouble begins “when the thugs get a drink in them at Welfare Park, which is located next to the club: they go up into the Welfare Park and start drinking the wine they decide just to come in and throw things on to the green.” A spokesman for Rutherglen police confirmed: “Between 2 and 9.20am on June 6 artificial grass was set alight at Halfway and district Bowling Club.” Source: Will Henshaw, “Green damaged by fire vandals,” in Rutherglen Reformer, June 17, 2009, available at  http://www.rutherglenreformer.co.uk/rutherglen-news/rutherglen-local-news/2009/06/17/green-damaged-by-fire-vandals-63227-23893615/

[No. 17] Scotch Plains, New Jersey: Vandals strike turf. According to The Star-Ledge (May 10, 2009), On Friday, May 10, 2009, three teens, who had been turned away from an overnight fundraiser event, took it on the soccer field at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, by burning “a small pattern onto the new synthetic field,” which the authorities called a bad rendition of a swastika. One square foot of the field was damaged. Source: David Giambusso and Brian Whitley, “Three Westfield teens are arrested in vandalism on Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School field,” in The Star-Ledger,  May 10, 2009, available at http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/three_westfield_teens_arrested.html .

[No. 19] Watertown, NY: Cigarettes burns damages turf at high school. According to a news report in Watertown Daily Times (May 28, 2009), one Grant Robinson is charged with reckless endangerment to property, a misdemeanor. The police allege that he “caus[ed] damage to the $800,000 synthetic turf athletic field at Watertown High School,” “he [throwing] lit cigarettes on the carpet, causing burns.” The extent of damage and how much repair will be needed have not been determined. Source: “Teen accused of damaging artificial turf at WHS field,” in Watertown Daily Times, May 28, 2009, available at http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20090528/NEWS03/305289964/-1/NEWS .

[No. 18] Baltimore, Maryland: County okays $600,000 for protection of turf fields and other park amenities. According to a news report in The Baltimore Sun (may 26, 2009), the County Council “has authorized $600,000 to install 24-hour video surveillance cameras at five regional parks and at athletic fields that have frequently been the targets of vandals,” who have spray painted artificial turf fields, defaced park property and destroying playgrounds, some by fire. “A pilot camera program at Reisterstown Park has shown that the technology works effectively, he said. The county repaired more than $150,000 in damages there before the installation of cameras nearly eliminated the problem.” “The equipment senses motion and automatically sends e-mail alerts to the closest police station. It will also e-mail information on cars illegally parked after sunset.” The technology can distinguish between a human being and a deer, even down to distinguishing the color of clothing. “The parks department has received 729 reports of park vandalism, playground destruction and graffiti since July, a nearly 10 percent increase over the previous year. Three playgrounds were set on fire and had to be replaced at a cost of nearly $40,000 each. Next year’s county budget includes nearly $80,000 for graffiti removal.” Source: Mary Gail Hare, “5 Baltimore County parks to get anti-vandal cameras,” in The Baltimore Sun, May 26, 2009, available at http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_county/bal-md.co.cameras26may26,0,7218530.story .

[No. 16] Toronto, Canada: Liar, liar – the turf’s on fire! Whether artificial turf fields catch fire depend on a variety of factors. Plastic catches fire. Crumb rubber catches fire. Any of the materials used in artificial turf if in contact with fire for a sufficient amount of time will burn. But from the looks of the amount of cigarette butts at the sidelines of some artificial turf fields one may get the feeling that this surface is fireproof. Not so, and not all of the time. According to a news story in The Star (April 23, 2009), during the TFC-Chivas soccer match on Wednesday (April 22) at the BMO Stadium (Toronto), two teenagers each “ignited a flare torch and threw them toward the soccer pitch.” One landed on a spectator, who suffered burns to her thigh. The other flare “landed on the artificial turf, causing a section to ignite, causing approximately $2,000 damage.” Source: Daniel Girard, “Teens charged after woman burned at Toronto FC game,” in The Star, April 23, 2009, available at http://www.thestar.com/GTA/Crime/article/623324

[No. 15] Bluffton, South Carolina: A burning issue: flammability of rubber in playgrounds. According to a news story in The Island Packet, (April 19, 2009), on Friday night (April 17, 2009), a fire destroyed most of the playground equipment at Michael C. Riley Elementary School. Two juveniles -- a 13-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl -- were arrested near the playground and charged with malicious injury to personal property. According to the police department – “the pair were hanging out at the playground with two other children who weren't charged. One of them was smoking a cigar, according to detectives. The two juveniles who were charged began playing with a lighter and tried to set fire to rubber mulch-like material spread beneath the playground equipment. The boy found an old University of South Carolina sweatshirt and set it on fire, and the girl threw the rubber material on top…They started some stuff on fire and then tried to stomp it out, but they were unsuccessful in putting the fire out, so it smoldered for a little while and ended up burning a large portion of the playground.” The fire department “quickly put out the fire, but estimated it destroyed about 90 percent of the playground equipment, as well as the rubber mulch, which is flammable.” “They're just old rubber tires that are chopped up and recycled,” said battalion chief Todd Harvey. “Once you put enough heat on it, it burns.” Source: Daniel Brownstein, “Middle-schoolers charged in fire that destroys playground in Bluffton,” in The Island Packet, April 17, 2009, available at http://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/story/810815.html .

SynTurf.org Note: The ground rubber infill and rubber padding used in artificial turf fields – as well as rubber mulch for playground and gardens -- are often made of shredded used tire.

[No. 14] Chatham, New Jersey: Vandalism to turf injures player. According to news report in Independent Press (March 27, 2009), no less than six incidents if vandalism have plagued the $1-million turf field at Haas Field, behind the Chatham Middle School since the start of school year last September. The incidents have come to light after a Chatham High School freshman lacrosse player fell in a depression created by vandals, tearing his ligaments and breaking a toe bone. The sundry incidents vandalism have included “attempts to burn small parts of the field with cigarettes or lighters resulting in singed areas and areas where turf has been cut, torn or disturbed to create depressions in the field. Pencils that have been broken off and left sticking up the turf have also been found.” The favorite part of the field for vandals is the Cougar head in the center of the field. The incidents have led the school “district to inspect the field before each game, as well as train a member of the maintenance staff to make repairs to the turf, which is both time consuming and costly.” Source: Tracy Ness, “Vandals strike Chatham’s Haas Field,” in Independent Press, March 27, 2009, available at http://www.nj.com/independentpress/index.ssf/2009/03/vandals_strike_chathams_haas_f.html .

[No. 13] Lehigh Valley, PA: Vandals strike turf field; painted messages removed. According to news reports from Salisbury Township Police, on Monday night or Tuesday morning March 16-17, 2009, someone or ones entered Salisbury High School stadium at 500 East Montgomery St. “and used spray paint to cause extensive damage to parts of the field and track area.” Source: “Vandals spray paint artificial turf at Salisbury High School,” in Express-Time, March 13, 2009, available at http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/allentown/index.ssf/2009/03/vandals_spray_paint_artificial.html . Update: According to a further news report in The Morning Call, “The girls soccer team discovered the slurs and other vulgar words sprayed in mostly blue and black paint on the artificial turf field, track and goal posts on March 10 when they went to practice. It happened during the night of March 9 or the following morning.” “The paint has been removed and police are investigating,” reported the Call. Source: Kelly Martin, “Salisbury School Board hopes to add $1,000 to reward for vandals,” in The Morning Call, March 20, 2009, available at http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b3_5reward.6824250mar20,0,5555587.story .

SynTurf.org Note: Should the community worry about the paint remover that was used in the clean up? Was there any toxic runoff  from the paint remover into environmentally sensitive areas, ground water, soil? Any left on the field, within the range of contact with athletes?

[No. 13] Lehigh Valley, PA: Vandals strike turf field. According to news reports from Salisbury Township Police, on Monday night or Tuesday morning March 16-17, 2009, someone or ones entered the stadium Salisbury High School stadium at 500 East Montgomery St. “and used spray paint to cause extensive damage to parts of the field and track area.” Source: “Vandals spray paint artificial turf at Salisbury High School,” in Express-Time, March 13, 2009, available at

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/allentown/index.ssf/2009/03/vandals_spray_paint_artificial.html .

[No. 12] Destrehan, LA:  Vandals spry paint turf field; chemicals and solvents to the rescue! According to a news report in The Times-Picayune (December 19, 2008), on Wednesday, December 17, 2008, vandals spray-painted graffiti on the new artificial turf football field at Destrehan High School – on the school's mascot, a wildcat, at the middle of the field, the end zones, the coaches' areas on the sidelines and the new soccer goals. The graffiti consisted of words, numbers and obscene drawings.  The workers were able to painstakingly remove the paint from the field Thursday with repeated applications of products recommended by its manufacturer, Field Turf. The St. Charles Parish school system athletics coordinator Willie Wise said, “We were able to contact Fieldturf and used their suggestions to remove it” with a paint remover and cleaning agent. The workers “would spray it on, agitate it and remove it. They repeated it many times,” Wise said. Source: Sandra Barbier, “Vandals target Destrehan High School turf, fieldhouse,” in The Times-Picayune, December 19, 2008, available at http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/vandals_target_destrehan_high.html .

[No. 11] Sydenham (Melbourne), Australia: Students vandalize turf field. According to a news item in Cath News (December 11, 2008), “Five students will face court in March on charges of causing $40,000 worth of damage in a muck up day at Catholic Regional College, Sydenham in Melbourne's west.”  The principal of the Catholic regional college “said the school's synthetic grass had to be replaced, costing $27,000.” Source: “Students charged over $40,000 damage,” in Cath News, December 11, 2008, available at http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=10686 .

[No. 10] El Paso, Texas: High school field is vandalized. On September 22, 2008, a fire damaged the turf field at Andress High School football stadium. The damage is estimated at $15,000. The authorities arrested and processed three juveniles suspected of the vandalism. Source: “Three juveniles arrested in connection with Andress football stadium,” in El Paso Times, September 30, 2008, available at http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_10600842 .

Photo: Surrey Leader

[No. 08] Delta, British Columbia: Turf is vandalized at two parks. SynTurf.org, Newton, Mass. July 18, 2008. Mackie Park is located in North Delta. On June 21, 2008, vandal(s) set fire to 250-sq.ft. area of the park’s artificial turf field, causing a$10,000 damage to the venue. The perp(s) are still at large. The police and fire and rescue departments are investigating the arson, while community groups have put up reward money toward the apprehension of the vandal(s). On July 9, 2008, the authorities also identified fire damage to the turf field at the nearby Delsom Park. According to Surrey Leader, “Security patrols will be implemented in North Delta parks, and the municipality will turn on field lights for extended hours to discourage vandals.”  Source:  “Soccer clubs pick up the reward for finding turf vandals,” in Surrey Leader, July 14, 2008, available at http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/surreyleader/news/25382174.html .

[No. 08] Delta, British Columbia: Turf is vandalized at two parks. SynTurf.org, Newton, Mass. July 18, 2008. Mackie Park is located in North Delta. On June 21, 2008, vandal(s) set fire to 250-sq.ft. area of the park’s artificial turf field, causing a$10,000 damage to the venue. The perp(s) are still at large. The police and fire and rescue departments are investigating the arson, while community groups have put up reward money toward the apprehension of the vandal(s). On July 9, 2008, the authorities also identified fire damage to the turf field at the nearby Delsom Park. According to Surrey Leader, “Security patrols will be implemented in North Delta parks, and the municipality will turn on field lights for extended hours to discourage vandals.”  Source:  “Soccer clubs pick up the reward for finding turf vandals,” in Surrey Leader, July 14, 2008, available at http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/surreyleader/news/25382174.html .

[No. 06  ] Vandals damage turf field at Richmond (Calif.) High School. SynTurf.org, Newton, mass. March 19, 2008. For some time now SynTurf.org has been warning public officials about the cost of protection of turf fields from vandalism and repair cost for the damage done to turf fields.  SynTurf.org has maintained that a municipality or other authority that owns or operates an artificial turf field needs to take into account the cost of dealing with vandalism, ensuing repair and insurance premiums therefor, if any,  as a part of their budget for turf fields. Here is a good example why.

On or about 1:30 AM on Saturday (March 15, 2008) vandal(s) left a crater-like burn mark on the turf field at Richmond High School, Richmond, California. According to the police, someone rammed a van through two locked sets of gates on campus, drove to the center of the school's field and set the vehicle on fire. The fire damaged a section approximately 20 feet by 30 feet on the $3.5 million turf field.

According to a recent survey Athletic Turf News, 46% of respondents reported that their facilities had suffered repeated acts of vandalism, 36% reported their fields had been vandalized, but generally it’s uncommon and 18% said they’ve experienced no vandalism problems.

Sources: “Valley vandals damage synthetic turf filed at Richmond High,” in Mercury News, March 18, 2008, available at http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_8611332; “Car set afire, damages new school field,” in Athletic Turf, March 18, 2008, available at

No. 04] Field Trip to Arlington High: A pictorial diary. Shortly after the fire at the Peirce Field at Arlington High School, in Arlington, Massachusetts, SynTurf.org visited the site.The pictures below document the "look" of the damaged turf and the manner in which the school had disposed of the damaged rug. The examination of the residue from the burnt turf showed the crumb rubber and polygrass (filament, pile) as having burnt to a crisp. The conversation with the locals who were there on the day of our visit (watching a soccer match) revealed multiple theories about the cause of the fire -- fireworks, lighter fluid, cigarette burns .... This is was not fireproof product. The likelihood of fire at a turf field and cost of remediation, replacement and repair of the damaged turf carpet should be calculated in the "maintenance cost" of any turf budget.