Author: Amy Daggett

Playground Transformation at St. Michael’s School in Albion, NE: 9,500 Sq Ft of Synthetic Turf with Safety Impact Padding 

When St. Michael’s School in Albion, Nebraska set out to upgrade their playground, they had one priority above all others: the safety of their kids. What they ended up with was so much more — a beautiful, low-maintenance, 9,500 square foot synthetic turf playground complete with professional-grade safety impact padding, built by the team at Nebraska Synthetic Greens in July 2025. 

It’s one of those projects that reminds us why we do what we do. 

The Project: A Playground Built for Safety 

St. Michael’s School came to Nebraska Synthetic Greens with a clear vision: replace their existing playground surface with something safer, more durable, and better suited for the active kids who use it every single day. 

The scope of the project was significant — 9,500 square feet of premium synthetic turf installed over a professional safety impact padding system. The padding is designed to absorb impact and reduce injury risk for children at play, meeting the kind of safety standards you’d expect at a top-tier facility. 

Our team handled everything from the initial site consultation and board presentation through to the final installation — all completed in the summer heat of July 2025. 

From First Consultation to Finished Product 

Projects like this don’t happen overnight. Before a single square foot of turf was laid, our team worked closely with the school to make sure everyone — from the principal to the finance committee to the board of directors — felt informed and confident in the decision. 

We visited the site early on to assess the space and understand exactly what the school was looking for. Then we came back and delivered a full presentation to their finance committee and board, complete with material samples so they could see and feel the quality of the turf and padding firsthand. 

That kind of transparency matters to us. Schools are making long-term investments on behalf of their students and their community — and they deserve to work with a team that takes that responsibility seriously. 

 

“Max and the guys were great throughout this whole process. From the first time he came out and looked at what we were thinking to the finished product, he was great to work with and very professional! They came out and gave a presentation to our finance committee and board with samples, worked their tails off in the heat and just did a fabulous job. On top of it, the materials are top-notch from the pad to the turf — we could not be happier!! Excited to get kids on the playground!” 

— Tina Blecher, Principal, St. Michael’s School, Albion, NE 

Why Synthetic Turf Is the Right Choice for School Playgrounds 

For schools and childcare facilities across Nebraska, synthetic turf with safety impact padding is quickly becoming the gold standard for playground surfaces — and for good reason. 

• Safety first — the impact padding system beneath the turf significantly reduces injury risk from falls, one of the most common playground accidents 

• No mud, no mess — kids stay cleaner and the surface drains quickly after rain so playtime isn’t lost 

• Hypoallergenic and chemical-free — no fertilizers, pesticides, or allergens for kids to come into contact with 

• Low maintenance — no mowing, watering, or reseeding, freeing up school resources for what matters most 

• Looks great year-round — through Nebraska winters, springs, and summers, the surface stays consistent and inviting 

• USA-made materials — all of our turf is manufactured in America, ensuring quality control and long-term durability 

St. Michael’s School will be enjoying this playground for many years to come — and so will every class of students that comes through their doors. 

Serving Schools & Communities Across Nebraska 

The St. Michael’s School project is a great example of what Nebraska Synthetic Greens does for communities beyond just residential backyards. We work with schools, churches, community centers, and municipal parks across Nebraska to install safe, durable, and beautiful synthetic turf surfaces. 

If your school or organization is considering a playground upgrade, we’d love to talk. We’ll come out for a free site consultation, work with your committee or board, and design a solution that fits your space, your safety requirements, and your budget. 

 

Get a Free Playground Turf Consultation 

Nebraska Synthetic Greens is locally owned and proudly serves schools, playgrounds, and communities across the entire state of Nebraska. Call us at 402-238-9960 or visit nebraskasyntheticgreens.com to request your free estimate. We’d love to bring the same results to your school or community. 

5 Reasons Omaha Homeowners Are Switching to Artificial Turf 

If you’ve driven through Omaha neighborhoods lately, you may have noticed something: more and more front yards, backyards, and even commercial properties are looking perfectly green — all year long. No brown patches in August. No muddy disaster in April. No lawn mower in sight. 

Artificial turf has come a long way from the scratchy carpet of old stadium fields. Today’s synthetic grass looks, feels, and performs like the real thing — and for Omaha homeowners dealing with Nebraska’s demanding climate, it’s quickly becoming the smarter choice. 

Here are the five biggest reasons Omaha residents are making the switch. 

1. Nebraska’s Weather Is Hard on Real Grass 

Let’s be honest — Omaha is not kind to natural lawns. Summers bring scorching heat and sporadic drought. Winters bring hard freezes, snow, and ice that leave grass brown and dormant for months. Spring thaw turns yards into mud pits. And fall? Overseeding, aerating, fertilizing — the cycle starts all over again. 

Artificial turf doesn’t care about Nebraska weather. It stays green and lush whether it’s 95°F in July or 10°F in January. Premium synthetic turf — like the USA-made turf we install at Nebraska Synthetic Greens — is engineered with UV-stabilized fibers that resist fading, cracking, and breaking down under extreme temperatures. 

The result? A yard that looks great on January 1st and July 4th alike — with zero effort from you. 

2. The Real Cost of a Natural Lawn Is Higher Than You Think 

Most Omaha homeowners don’t add up what they actually spend on their lawn every year. When you factor in all the costs, the numbers are surprising: 

• Water bills — a typical Omaha lawn needs 1–1.5 inches of water per week during summer 

• Fertilizer, weed killer, and pesticides — easily $200–$400/year 

• Lawn care services or equipment maintenance — $500–$2,000+/year 

• Overseeding and aeration every fall 

• Your time — hours every week that you could spend doing something you actually enjoy 

Artificial turf eliminates virtually all of these ongoing costs. After the initial installation, your maintenance expenses drop to almost nothing. Many Omaha homeowners find that their synthetic turf pays for itself within a few years — and financing options through Wisetack make it even easier to get started today. 

3. It’s Safer for Kids and Pets 

If you have kids or dogs — or both — your lawn takes a beating. And natural grass fights back with mud, pesticide residue, hidden rocks, and uneven surfaces that create tripping hazards. 

Modern artificial turf is hypoallergenic, free from harmful chemicals, and designed with safety in mind. Our pet turf installations include an anti-microbial infill system that controls odors and keeps the surface sanitary — so your dogs can do their thing and your yard stays clean. We can also install a cushioned underlayment beneath playground areas to give kids a softer, safer surface to play on. 

No more mud tracked through the house. No more worrying about what your kids or dogs just rolled in. Just a clean, safe, beautiful yard. 

4. A Backyard Putting Green Is More Achievable Than You Think 

For the golfers in Omaha — and there are a lot of you — this one’s a game-changer. Imagine stepping out your back door to practice your putting whenever you want. No driving to the club. No waiting for a tee time. Just you, your putter, and a perfectly engineered green in your own backyard. 

As an exclusive authorized dealer for Celebrity Greens® — endorsed by PGA legends including Jon Rahm, Nick Faldo, and Mark O’Meara — Nebraska Synthetic Greens builds backyard putting greens that rival anything you’d find on a professional course. We design custom contours, slopes, bunkers, and chipping areas right into your green, tailored to your property and your game. 

Our golf consultant will visit your Omaha property for a free consultation and help design a green that challenges your best players — or gives beginners the perfect place to improve. 

5. It Adds Real Value to Your Omaha Home 

Curb appeal matters — and in Omaha’s competitive real estate market, a beautiful, low-maintenance yard is a genuine selling point. Prospective buyers love the idea of inheriting a yard that requires no upkeep, looks green year-round, and is safe for their family and pets. 

A backyard putting green adds a luxury element that very few homes in Omaha can offer. Commercial-quality turf in a backyard, playground, or pool area signals that a home has been well cared for and thoughtfully upgraded. 

Beyond resale, there’s the daily quality-of-life value — more time with your family, less time doing yard work, and a yard you’re actually proud of every single day. 

 

Ready for Artficial Turf in Omaha? 

Nebraska Synthetic Greens is Omaha’s locally owned and trusted artificial turf installer. We offer free, no-obligation consultations for homeowners across the Omaha metro — including West Omaha, Elkhorn, Papillion, Bellevue, La Vista, and surrounding areas. 

Whether you’re ready to install a full artificial lawn, a backyard putting green, or pet-safe turf for your dogs, our team is ready to help. Call us at 402-238-9960 or visit nebraskasyntheticgreens.com to request your free estimate today.