Friday, September 7, 2018

The Department of General Services (DGS) operates and maintains fifty-two (52) artificial fields for the District. These include fields at DC Public School (DCPS) and Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) facilities. DGS is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all District residents and users of these fields. Once a year GMAX testing is conducted on the fifty-two fields. The tests are designed to ensure the playing surface of the fields is impact-safe for users. GMAX is the standard testing method developed to determine the shock attenuation of artificial and natural turf athletic fields. In accordance with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), GMAX scores over 200 indicate a hardness level that would be considered unsafe for play and require repair. The results of the tests done in late August 2018 show that 37 of the fields passed the test. Safety signage is posted on the remaining 15 fields and repairs will be completed and reopened Friday, September 7, 2018.