Choosing playground turf is about more than selecting artificial grass that looks good and can handle heavy use.
For playground areas in New Zealand, the complete surface needs to be considered — including the playground equipment, free height of fall, impact protection where required, drainage, base construction and the way the turf system is installed.
Some playground areas may simply need a durable, free-draining surface for everyday play. Areas beneath or around playground equipment can have additional impact-attenuation requirements depending on the equipment and its fall height.
Understanding the difference helps schools, councils, playground companies, childcare centres and other commercial operators choose the right surface for each part of a playground.
What Makes a Playground Turf System Safe?
Artificial turf can create a durable, consistent and all-weather playground surface, but the visible grass is only one part of the system.
A properly designed playground turf installation may include:
Impact Protection
Where playground equipment creates a fall-height requirement, an appropriate impact-attenuating layer can be installed beneath the artificial turf.
Critical Fall Height
The surfacing beneath playground equipment needs to provide impact protection appropriate to the equipment’s free height of fall.
Drainage & Base Construction
A stable, professionally constructed base helps the playground surface remain even, free draining and suitable for intensive use.
Tested Surface Systems
Where certified impact protection is required, check the certification for the complete tested surfacing configuration rather than relying on a general claim about the turf or shockpad.
Understanding Critical Fall Height
Critical Fall Height (CFH) is an important consideration when selecting impact-attenuating surfacing beneath playground equipment.
In simple terms, the free height of fall of the equipment needs to be considered against the tested performance of the surface installed beneath it.
For example, a surfacing system certified to a CFH of 1.5 metres would not be appropriate beneath equipment requiring impact protection to a greater fall height.
New Zealand playground safety specialist PlaySafe uses impact testing to determine the CFH of playground surfaces and maintains a register of certified surface products tested in accordance with NZS 5828:2015 / EN 1177.
The important point for a playground owner is:
Do not choose a playground surface based on how soft it feels. Choose the impact-attenuating system according to the actual requirements of the playground equipment and documented test performance.
Artificial Turf and Shockpads Work as a System
Artificial grass itself should not automatically be assumed to provide the required fall protection beneath playground equipment.
Where impact attenuation is required, artificial turf can be installed over a purpose-designed shockpad system.
The performance of that surface depends on the tested configuration. Components can include the artificial turf, shockpad thickness, infill and other elements of the specified construction.
Changing components can change how the system performs. Current New Zealand playground guidance specifically warns against assuming that certification of one component automatically applies to a different construction.
This is why Unreal Lawns uses independently tested configurations rather than making a blanket claim that all artificial turf provides the same Critical Fall Height protection.
SafeBase Certified Shockpad Systems
Unreal Lawns has independently tested turf and SafeBase configurations for different Critical Fall Height requirements.
Rather than reproducing all of those technical configurations here, you can view the individual turf, shockpad, infill and CFH combinations on our SafeBase Certified Shockpad System page.
Playground Surfacing and NZS 5828:2015
NZS 5828:2015 is the New Zealand standard covering playground equipment and surfacing.
For impact-attenuating surfaces, one of the important considerations is whether the surface provides suitable protection for the free height of fall associated with the playground equipment.
PlaySafe’s current New Zealand guidance explains that equipment with a free height of fall greater than 600 mm generally requires impact-attenuating surfacing beneath and around the equipment, while some forced-movement equipment can require such surfacing regardless of fall height.
The requirements of a particular playground should therefore be established from the actual equipment and design rather than assuming every playground — or every part of a playground — requires exactly the same surface construction.
For childcare-specific requirements, see our separate Playground Safety Standards for Childcare Centres guide.
Good Playground Surfacing Starts Below the Turf
The performance of an artificial turf playground also depends on what is constructed underneath it.
A poorly prepared base can contribute to low areas, movement, uneven surfaces and drainage problems regardless of the quality of the artificial grass installed above it.
Unreal Lawns constructs artificial turf bases according to the site conditions and intended use. For commercial playground projects, this means considering factors such as:
- existing ground conditions and levels
- drainage and water movement
- excavation and base depth
- geotextile where appropriate
- compacted aggregate construction
- finished levels and surrounding interfaces
- the shockpad system where required
- secure installation of the artificial turf.
This is one area where practical installation experience matters. The turf, shockpad and base need to work together as a complete surface rather than being treated as unrelated products.
Not Every Playground Area Has the Same Requirement
A useful distinction when planning a playground is between general play areas and areas requiring certified impact attenuation.
Artificial turf may be used across open recreation areas, pathways, seating spaces, landscape areas and general play zones because it provides a durable surface that can remain usable throughout the year.
Where playground equipment creates a fall-height requirement, the appropriate impact-attenuating surface needs to be specified for that area.
This can allow different parts of a playground to be designed for their actual purpose rather than automatically applying the same construction everywhere.
For schools, we cover the wider use of artificial turf across playgrounds, lunch areas, outdoor learning spaces and recreation areas on our Artificial Grass for Schools page.
What to Check
✓ The artificial turf used in the tested system
✓ Shockpad type and thickness
✓ Infill specification where applicable
✓ Certified Critical Fall Height
✓ Current certification
✓ Independent testing or certification details
PlaySafe maintains a public register of certified playground surfacing products. Its register provides certification and CFH information for tested systems, giving project owners an independent way to check surface claims.
Planning an Artificial Turf Playground Project
Safety surfacing is one part of planning a successful playground.
The surface also needs to suit the site’s drainage, usage, access, equipment layout and long-term maintenance requirements.
Unreal Lawns supplies and installs artificial turf playground systems for commercial projects throughout New Zealand, including certified SafeBase shockpad configurations where Critical Fall Height protection is required.
If you are researching an actual playground project rather than playground safety itself, our commercial Playground page explains the available systems, installation process and indicative pricing.
Planning a Playground Project?
Explore artificial turf systems, SafeBase options, installation, drainage and indicative pricing for commercial playground projects.
Playground Turf Safety FAQs
Does all playground artificial turf need a shockpad?
No. Artificial turf can be used for general play and recreation areas without requiring a certified impact-attenuation system. Where playground equipment creates an impact-surfacing requirement, the appropriate tested turf and shockpad system needs to be selected for the required Critical Fall Height.
What is Critical Fall Height?
Critical Fall Height (CFH) is a measure used to describe the impact-attenuating performance of playground surfacing. The certified CFH of the surface needs to be appropriate for the free height of fall of the playground equipment.
Is artificial turf itself fall protection?
Artificial turf should not automatically be treated as certified fall protection. Where impact attenuation is required, the performance relates to the complete tested surface configuration, which may include the artificial turf, shockpad and infill.
How can I check whether a playground surface is certified?
Ask for certification covering the specific surface configuration being proposed, including its certified Critical Fall Height. Certified playground surfacing systems can also be independently checked through the PlaySafe Certified Playground Surface Register.
About the Author: Paul Gardner
Founder & NZ Turf Specialist at Unreal Lawns
Paul Gardner has spent years developing his knowledge of synthetic turf technology, including travelling internationally to study manufacturing, yarn engineering and playground safety systems. His experience helps shape the artificial grass and playground surfacing systems Unreal Lawns provides for New Zealand conditions.
Planning a Playground Turf Project?
Need help selecting the right artificial turf and impact-protection system for your playground?
Unreal Lawns supplies and installs commercial playground turf systems across New Zealand, with certified SafeBase shockpad options available where Critical Fall Height protection is required.
