Program, Size, and Materials
The Design Manager shall confirm youth sports programming with school staff and any other applicable stakeholders. Many schools may prefer to have soccer striping, but others may want some form of football or baseball striping.
Play Field
Priority shall be given to size the play field to meet minimum regulations for youth sports such as U8 or U12 soccer or youth flag football. If minimum size regulations cannot be met, striping may still be included to represent additional youth sports, such as:
- Two soccer halves with or without a center circle; or,
- Football dividing lines in even increments with or without tick marks.
- Additional field striping shall be confirmed with the school and stakeholders.
Play fields shall be composed of:
- Synthetic grass surfacing with and underground drainage system.
- Unless directed otherwise, turf color shall be green with striping colors as identified above.
- Sports equipment is typically provided by CPS or the school, but shall also be a consideration by the designer.
(See Figure 1.4.3_1)
Walking Track
A walking track may surround the playfield and/or other elements. Tracks shall be:
- A minimum of two lanes and six feet wide to allow for two students side-by-side.
- Tracks shall be asphalt with white striping, but may include a synthetic running surface if desired and if budget allows.
- The color shall be from the manufacturer’s standard color options with white striping.
(See Figure 1.4.3_2)
Basketball
A basketball court may be included if desired by the school. Consideration shall be given to safety concerns, which may require half-courts and basketball hoops. Removable rims shall be considered upon school preference. Typical basketball hoop heights for elementary schools can vary from eight to 10 feet tall, so coordination with the school is needed to ensure the height of the hoop is functional for its users. Basketball courts shall be:
- Asphalt with white striping, but may include textured acrylic surfacing or vehicular-grade paint and striping, if desired and if budget allows.
- Colors shall be from the manufacturer’s standard color options with white striping.
Basketball courts shall be visible from the street. When located adjacent to a street every effort shall be made to orient the courts to prevent balls from exiting the site. If needed, fencing or netting shall be provided to prevent balls from exiting the site.
(See Figure 1.4.3_3)
Accessibility
Accessibility shall be a main design priority at all play fields. Refer to Volume 3 Section 1.10 Site Accessibility for additional requirements.
An elementary school play field shall be considered if space allows. Typically, elementary play fields are located in spare spaces, but when possible, the play field shall be sized for a youth sport such as a U8 or U12 soccer field. Refer to youth sports organizations such as the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) or a local youth flag football organization for field sizes.