Myth Demystified
Is a Rock-Hard Lawn Safe for Kids to Play On
Demystified By
Expert Name: Adam Thoms
Expert's Take
It is very hard to determine if a surface is too hard to play on with only a feeling from feet alone. A solid surface is not a bad thing for many playing surfaces. In fact, if a surface is too soft it can cause muscles to overwork and cause strains at a greater frequency.
Surfaces that contain greater amounts of silt and clay often will feel firmer than those containing large amounts of sand especially when the surface is dry.
Athletic fields are often tested with devices to determine how firm they are to help prevent injuries. I have been on many fields that have felt very firm under foot but are not that high of a surface hardness value. Determining if a surface is safe for kids to play on by the feeling underfoot is not a very accurate method, and I would suggest another method to determine the safety of the surface.
MFY Notes
Most of us judge a yard by how it feels underfoot, and a dry, firm lawn in midsummer can make any parent picture scraped knees and sore ankles. Adam Thoms, who studies athletic field performance and safety at Iowa State, explains why that feeling is a poor guide.
If your lawn is hard because the soil itself is packed tight, that’s a separate problem for the grass. Our guide to soil compaction covers how to spot it and what helps.