The 2-Year Glow Up: How City Green Became the Heart of Sandy Springs
When we finish a synthetic turf installation, the site is usually pristine, quiet, and perfectly manicured. The lines are sharp, the infill is freshly groomed, and the space looks incredible. But as field builders, we know that the true measure of our work is not how a project looks on day one. The real test is how it looks, and more importantly, how it is used, three years later.
Recently, Advanced Sports Group had the opportunity to revisit City Green at City Springs in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Two years ago, we were tasked with installing the synthetic turf that serves as the centerpiece of this massive civic complex. Returning to the site to experience the green as its citizens do was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.
City Green has experienced a massive “glow up.” It has transformed from a newly completed construction project into a living, breathing community hub.
Building the Foundation for Community
City Springs was designed to be the civic and cultural heart of Sandy Springs. The complex features a modern City Hall, a performing arts center, residential buildings, and retail spaces. But the anchor that ties it all together is City Green, a sprawling, four-acre park and plaza.
At the center of City Green is the large synthetic turf lawn that ASG installed. When designing a public space of this magnitude, municipal leaders face a significant challenge: how do you create a green space that can handle the foot traffic of thousands of residents without turning into a muddy, unusable mess?
Natural grass, while beautiful, simply cannot withstand the continuous, heavy use required of a central civic plaza. Between outdoor concerts, festivals, farmers markets, and everyday foot traffic, a natural grass lawn would quickly degrade, requiring constant maintenance, reseeding, and extended periods of closure for recovery.
The solution was a premium synthetic turf installation. By choosing artificial turf, the city ensured that the lawn would remain vibrant, accessible, and safe 365 days a year. Our crews meticulously installed the surface to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding paved walkways, tiered water fountains, and the prominent City Springs stage pavilion.
A Thriving Civic Hub in Action
Walking through City Green today, the impact of that decision is undeniable. The recent footage we captured perfectly illustrates the versatility and durability of the space.
During the day, people are strolling across the green, taking lunch breaks on the lawn, and enjoying the surrounding amenities. The turf provides a clean, inviting contrast to the urban architecture of the surrounding buildings and the distant Atlanta skyline. It is a quiet oasis in the middle of a bustling city center.
But it is in the evening that City Green truly comes alive. We recently attended a recent outdoor concert on the City Springs stage. The green space was packed with residents. Families had spread out colorful blankets, couples were relaxing in folding lawn chairs, and children were playing freely on the turf.
This is the ultimate validation of a synthetic turf installation in a public space. Parents feel comfortable letting their children play on the surface because it is clean, soft, and free of mud or pests. Event organizers can host massive crowds without worrying about destroying the landscaping. The community gets a reliable, beautiful venue for making memories.
The Value of Durable Public Spaces
The “glow up” of City Green is a testament to the vision of Sandy Springs leadership and the value of investing in high-quality infrastructure. Two years of heavy use, countless concerts, and thousands of visitors have not diminished the quality of the turf. It looks just as vibrant and performs just as well as it did on day one.
For municipalities looking to revitalize their downtown areas or create new public gathering spaces, City Green serves as a perfect case study. It proves that with the right materials and expert installation, a central lawn can be both an aesthetic centerpiece and a highly functional event venue.
At Advanced Sports Group, we are incredibly proud to have played a role in building the heart of Sandy Springs. We are not just installing turf; we are building the foundation for community connection.
If your city or municipality is planning a public park, civic plaza, or community recreation space, contact Advanced Sports Group today. Let’s build a space that your community will love for years to come.