Horsham Downs School Artificial Grass Project – Waikato

Horsham Downs School wanted to transform an outdoor grass area that became muddy during the wetter months into a clean, practical space students could use throughout the year.

Unreal Lawns replaced the natural grass with an engineered artificial grass system using EverCool artificial grass, creating an all-weather area designed for lunch breaks, outdoor learning and everyday school use. Summer surface temperature was also considered when selecting the turf, with heat-reducing turf technology and the existing shade sails helping address comfort during warmer weather.

Horsham Downs School in Waikato had an existing natural grass area between its classroom buildings that became wet and muddy during the wetter months. The school wanted a more practical all-weather surface that could be used by students throughout the year.

Unreal Lawns was engaged to remove the existing natural turf, construct a new free-draining aggregate base and install EverCool artificial grass across the area.

The project involved excavation of the existing surface, construction and compaction of the aggregate base, detailed preparation around the existing shade-sail posts and concrete edges, followed by installation and finishing of the artificial grass.

The completed area provides the school with a clean, durable outdoor space suitable for lunch breaks, outdoor learning and general everyday use.

The existing natural grass area was positioned between school buildings and was used regularly by students. During wetter periods, the ground became muddy and difficult to use, reducing the amount of practical outdoor space available to the school.

The new surface needed to provide reliable year-round use while working around the existing concrete paths, building entrances and shade-sail posts throughout the area.

Surface temperature was also an important consideration. Although the existing shade sails provide protection across parts of the area, the school wanted an artificial grass system suited to exposed outdoor conditions during warmer months. This was one of the reasons EverCool artificial grass was selected for the project.

Before the new artificial grass system could be installed, the existing natural grass and underlying material were excavated to create the required depth for the new base construction.

Working within an established school environment meant the excavation had to be carefully carried out around existing concrete paths, building entrances, playground areas and the numerous shade-sail posts throughout the site.

Once excavation was complete, the exposed subgrade could be prepared for construction of the new free-draining aggregate base.

Following excavation, the exposed subgrade was prepared before construction of the new free-draining aggregate base.

The base was constructed in layers, beginning with GAP40 aggregate, followed by a layer of GAP20, with a final GAP7 capping layer used to create the prepared surface for the artificial grass installation.

Each stage was levelled and compacted to create a stable foundation, with particular attention required around the existing shade-sail posts, concrete paths and building entrances.

This layered base construction provides the stability and drainage required beneath the artificial grass and is an important part of creating a durable, all-weather surface for a high-use school environment.

Because the project was completed during the school holidays and wet weather was forecast during the works, the base was constructed progressively in stages. Rather than excavating the entire area and leaving the exposed subgrade open to rainfall, sections were excavated, prepared and built up as the project progressed. This helped prevent the exposed ground from becoming waterlogged and turning into a soft, difficult working surface.

Once the aggregate base had been completed, levelled and compacted, the area was ready for installation of the EverCool artificial grass.

The turf was positioned across the prepared surface and carefully cut and fitted around the existing shade-sail posts, concrete paths and building edges. With numerous posts running through the installation area, accurate cutting and finishing were particularly important to achieve a clean result around each penetration.

Individual sections of artificial grass were joined to create a continuous surface before the perimeter and detailed areas were secured and finished.

EverCool was selected for this project to provide a durable, low-maintenance school surface, with its heat-reducing turf technology also considered when selecting a product for warmer weather. Combined with the existing shade sails, the finished area gives Horsham Downs School a practical outdoor space designed for year-round use.

The completed installation transformed the previously muddy natural grass area into a clean, practical artificial grass surface that can be used throughout the year.

EverCool artificial grass now provides a consistent surface between the classroom buildings, connecting naturally with the existing concrete paths and entrances while retaining the school’s shade-sail infrastructure.

For Horsham Downs School, the main benefit is usability. An area that could become wet and muddy during the Waikato winter can now be used for lunch breaks, outdoor learning and everyday student activities without relying on natural grass conditions.

The combination of the engineered free-draining base, durable artificial grass and existing shade provision creates an outdoor area designed around the way the school actually uses the space.

For schools considering a similar upgrade, our school artificial grass page explains the different turf systems and applications available for New Zealand schools.