Executive Summary

A city parks department needed to protect the grass in a central park during a large public festival. The park would host food vendors, musical performances, and thousands of visitors over three days. The solution was the installation of interlocking ground protection mats. The mats prevented damage to the turf, eliminated post-event restoration costs, and allowed the event to proceed on schedule despite rainy weather.

The Challenge
The city’s premier public park was scheduled to host the annual “Riverfront Arts Festival.” The event attracts an estimated 15,000 people. The festival requires infrastructure: vendor booths, a temporary stage, heavy equipment trucks for setup, and high foot traffic areas.

The primary concern for the parks department was turf preservation. The festival occurred in early spring, a time of year when the grass is soft and vulnerable. Past events on unprotected grass resulted in significant damage: ruts from vehicle tires, soil compaction, and complete loss of grass in high-traffic areas. This damage required weeks of re-sodding and landscaping, with costs often exceeding thousands of dollars. The department needed a solution that would protect the lawn, ensure public safety on potentially wet ground, and allow for a quick event teardown.

The Solution

The parks department selected heavy-duty interlocking ground protection mats.

  • Product Specification: The mats were made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Each mat measured 8 feet by 4 feet. The surface featured a gritted pattern for slip resistance.

  • Installation: A crew installed the mats two days before the event. The interlocking system allowed for rapid deployment without heavy machinery. The mats created a continuous, stable surface across all critical areas: vehicle access routes for vendor setup, the main stage area, and primary pedestrian walkways.

  • Function: The mats distributed the weight of vehicles and foot traffic. This prevented soil compaction and protected the grass blades and root system underneath from crushing.

Implementation

The installation process was methodical. The crew first laid out the main access road for delivery trucks. This allowed all other equipment to be brought in without driving on the grass. Next, they covered the central plaza area where the food vendors and main stage were located. Finally, they connected these zones with wide pedestrian pathways. The entire installation for the 20,000 square foot area was completed in one day.

During the event, it rained for several hours on the second day. The mat surface provided a safe, non-slip walking path for attendees. There was no mud. There was no standing water on the mats. Event operations continued without interruption.

Results

The results were measured after the festival teardown and mat removal.

  1. Complete Turf Preservation:

     

    The grass underneath the mats was completely intact. There was no damage. There was no mud. The grass was green and healthy. The park was reopened to the public within 24 hours of the event’s conclusion.

  2. Cost Savings: The parks department eliminated all costs associated with post-event turf restoration. There were no expenses for new sod, soil, or extensive labor for replanting. The rental cost for the mats was less than the historical cost of landscape repair.

  3. Time Efficiency: The event teardown was faster. Crews could remove equipment and mats without navigating muddy or damaged ground. The park returned to normal public use immediately.

  4. Stakeholder Satisfaction: Event organizers were satisfied because the setup was efficient and the grounds remained functional despite rain. The public appreciated the clean and accessible environment.

Conclusion

The use of ground protection mats was a definitive success. It provided a practical and cost-effective solution for holding a large event in a sensitive public space. The parks department has since standardized the use of these mats for all major events in its park system. This case demonstrates that with the right protection, functional event infrastructure and pristine park conditions can coexist.