You asked how many schools in the state have newer synthetic turf playing fields and the number of injuries that have occurred on those fields.

A representative from the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference reports that relatively few schools in the state have the newer “second generation” of synthetic turf playing fields that has become popular in recent years. This surface is usually composed of synthetic fibers woven into a surface of sand and pieces of rubber.

There does not appear to be an existing compilation of data relating to the number of schools with synthetic turf fields and accidents that have occurred thereon. The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education distributed a short survey on our behalf requesting this information from Connecticut school districts. A summary of the responses received from that survey and information on this topic from the Connecticut Buildings and Grounds Association appear below.

Fairfield, Berlin, and Milford have all only recently installed a synthetic turf field and therefore have no injuries to report. Danbury, Madison, and Branford have synthetic turf playing fields but were unable to provide accurate accident injury data. All three report that there have been relatively few, if any, injuries occurring as a result of the turf. Stamford High also has a synthetic turf field, with the head football coach reporting no additional injuries as a result of the turf and only one knee injury in three years. Wilton, Fairfield, Darien, and Milford are currently in the process of installing synthetic turf fields. Additionally, several districts expressed an interest in installing a synthetic turf field in the future.

Although organizations or districts report that the following districts have the surface, they have not yet responded to the survey or additional requests for information:

We will update this report if additional responses are received.

SC: ro