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Suburban Chicago sports fields switching to turf

NAPERVILLE — Schools and park districts in the Chicago suburbs are showing interest in using artificial turf for sports fields.

The Daily Herald reports that since April four suburban high schools have made plans to install man-made turf instead of using regular grass. Four schools already have turf in Lake County and other schools have plans in the works to install turf.

School and parks officials say turf cuts maintenance costs and allows for year-round use.

Todd Marvel manages the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's used tire program. Marvel says rubber in artificial turf seems to be environmentally safe. Marvel says turf helps save water and keeps millions of tires out of landfills.

North Central College in Naperville installed artificial turf a decade ago.