Maryland SoccerPlex and Grass Roots Partner on New Interactive Outdoor Exhibit

The Maryland SoccerPlex and Grass Roots, a cooperative agreement between the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Turfgrass Federation, have partnered to create an interactive sport field and lawn exhibit at the Maryland SoccerPlex. The exhibit’s home is situated in front of the ticket booth on the south lawn of Maureen Hendricks Field (the SoccerPlex’s stadium field). It has been less than two months since the March start of the construction process and the exhibit has already begun to take shape.

We are very excited to partner with Grass Roots and to have such an interactive and educational exhibit at the Maryland SoccerPlex. The exhibit will highlight new technologies in the turfgrass industry, and the effects of turfgrass and lawns on the environment.  It will also, hopefully, lead to further scientific breakthroughs. – Trish Heffelfinger,  Executive Director  Maryland SoccerPlex

The first part of construction completed was the sports fields – four large beds that showcase Kentucky Bluegrass, Bermuda, a new type of Zoysia grass, Zeon, and Artificial Turf. The four turfgrasses can be used in various projects depending on factors such as climate and type of usage. Of the four turfs, particular interest will focus on how Zeon holds up to high traffic and consistent usage, as is the case with Bermuda and Bluegass fields at the SoccerPlex. Based on results of the exhibit, Zeon could potentially be used for more sports fields. Later in the spring, an additional 12 cool and warm season turf types from around the country will be added at the bottom of the exhibit area.

The interactive outdoor exhibit is slated to have a grand opening in early September.  Prior to the official opening, other elements of the exhibit to be added include a kiosk featuring information on common turf diseases and pests, an irrigation systems exhibit, a history walkway and a rain garden.

Collaborating with the Maryland SoccerPlex made sense on so many levels. Right from the beginning Trish (Heffelfinger) offered to not only help with funding, but offered the expertise of SoccerPlex Director of Grounds Ryan Bjorn and his crew. We are just two months into the project and Trish, Ryan and his entire crew have gone above and beyond. – Kevin Morris, president of the National Turfgrass Federation

Partners and Supporters of Grass Roots

Grass Roots is a cooperative initiative of the U.S. National Arboretum, USDA-ARS, and the National Turfgrass Federation, Inc. Grass Roots is grateful for the generous support from a wide range of organizations and businesses. Please contact Kevin Morris of the National Turfgrass Federation if you would like to help.

 About the Maryland SoccerPlex and Discovery Sports Center

The Maryland SoccerPlex (www.mdsoccerplex.org – 18031 Central Park Circle, Boyds, MD 20841) features a combination of  22 professionally maintained, regulation-sized soccer fields, an award-winning stadium field and overall some of the safest facilities in the country. The SoccerPlex has been home to the Soccer Association of Montgomery (SAM) since 2005 and has programs for players from age 2 -18. In little more than a decade of existence SAM has established itself as one of the top programs in the region by providing superior development skills, educational soccer programs and sportsmanship to its players.

The Discovery Sports Center is the largest open indoor space in Montgomery County. The arena features 8 basketball and/or volleyball courts on a lined urethane surface from March to November.  In November, two synthetic turf fields are rolled out complete with netting for indoor soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, baseball and rugby.

The mission of the SportsPlex is to create a fun, nurturing and safe environment for all participants. The focus on child safety was further enhanced in 2015 when the Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Management Policy (“CCAMP”) was introduced.  The policy ensures the protection of players as well as the education of coaches, staff and families on concussion symptoms, treatment and prevention.