Building Safe Playgrounds: Why the Right Artificial Turf Infill Matters

Whether you’re a school administrator, an in-home daycare operator, or working for your local parks department, we know you value children’s health and well-being on the playground. If you’re planning a new playground build, balancing outdoor fun with safety is a priority. 

Playgrounds help kids burn off steam, build strength, and boost their developing sense of balance. Fun and challenging playscapes give parents, teachers, and caretakers a rest in between hands-on attention and instruction throughout the day.

But peace of mind while children are enjoying the playground is only possible when you trust the integrity of the artificial turf.

When installing a playground in your own backyard or drawing up a plan for the city park, choosing the right artificial turf infill is an important step toward building a safe environment to learn and play in.

Choosing the Right Playground Infill for Artificial Turf

Selecting the right ingredients for your playground infill matters just as much as the location, the shade coverage, and the accessibility.

When considering your options for artificial turf, you’re likely looking for the most comfortable and supportive surface for play. You may also value durability and sustainability. 

Luckily, artificial turf is a great sustainable choice as it saves water and requires little maintenance. It also helps with shock absorption and padding for adventurous children that may be jumping on or falling off of equipment. 

When envisioning a nurturing and safe space for children to play, consider Safeshell: a cooler, entirely natural, 100% non-toxic foundation.

Let’s take a look at the benefits of Safeshell, the ideal infill for your next artificial turf playground project.

Why Choose Safeshell?

100% Organic, USDA Certified Biobased Product.

Have you ever picked up a product that says “all-natural,” but you can’t find facts that back up that vague claim? Companies can write “natural” on their product, even if it’s filled with chemicals, making it hard for consumers to make informed decisions.

When it comes to building a safe environment for the children that will use your playground, it’s important to do your research. That’s why we recommend Safeshell, a truly natural infill for artificial turf.

We blend Safeshell from US-grown Black and English walnut shells. No chemicals involved, ever. The result? An environmentally conscious turf system that’s so natural it’s even food grade, while still being low-maintenance and long-lasting.

To provide our customers with true insight, we sent Safeshell to a third party to be rigorously tested according to the USDA’s Certified Biopreferred program. We’re incredibly proud that Safeshell is the only 100% USDA certified biobased infill on the market.

Durable Turf Infill, Long-lasting Playground System

A playground is a large investment that you hope is built to last. With a high concentration of tiny feet on your playground over the years, you won’t want to skimp on the durability of your play surface or your artificial turf infill.

A reputable artificial turf installer will specifically choose a dense turf type for your playground. More fibers, specifically thicker fibers, slow down the wear and tear as kids run around each year. 

Artificial turf needs the proper support system if it’s going to stand the test of time. That’s why we formulated Safeshell from one of the most durable tree nut shells on the planet. Our natural infill doesn’t break down or float. It stays in place, day after day, as the turf surface endures lots of use. 

Safeshell is the most durable natural infill on the market backed by our eight-year warranty that guarantees its longevity.

Safeshell: Keeping Kids Safe

Safety is serious – particularly when it comes to protecting the health of children. We’ve stringently tested Safeshell for heavy metals using the same standards used to test children’s toys. The results prove that our levels are well below the Synthetic Turf Councils Suggested Environmental Guidelines for Infill, and most are even below the detectable limit.

If you want to ensure that kids stay cool during hot summer days, pick Safeshell. The natural infill has been proven to cool artificial turf surfaces by up to 50 degrees.

Food and nut allergies are another understandable safety concern with Safeshell. That’s why we teamed up with a leading biotech firm to develop our patent-pending process which eliminates any potential allergens that might remain on the shell after separation from the nut. Per FDA guidelines, our process removes allergens below 2.4 parts per million. 

Safeshell has achieved such successful safety results for allergens that after thoroughly studying our testing proof, a museum in Nevada installed several tons of Safeshell in a hands-on exhibit. As part of the interactive display, kids dug through our 100% organic and all-natural infill for dinosaur bones.

Accessibility is another important aspect to both public and private play spaces. There are 3.3 million wheelchair users in the United States and Motz believes that everyone should enjoy playgrounds regardless of their mobility. Safeshell helps make your artificial turf system easy for wheelchair users to enjoy. Learn more about ADA Accessibility and performance testing here.

If you’re looking for a rigorously tested, 100% organic infill – without sacrificing safety and durability – Safeshell is the ideal choice for your next playground infill project.

Get Started on Your Playground Infill with Motz

Contact Motz with any questions about Safeshell’s safety testing, installation, pricing, and benefits. We’d love to hear from you.

If you’re looking for another infill option, learn more about Envirofill, an antimicrobial protection from Microban®, which excels at combating odors, mold and mildew.