Behind the Scenes: How We Keep The Fields at RFK in Top Shape
The Fields at RFK Campus Pavilion
Ever wonder what it takes to keep The Fields at RFK looking great and ready for action? Spoiler alert: it’s a lot of work. The Go Play team works hard to ensure every community member has the best possible experience every time they step onto the fields. That means committing to daily upkeep, seasonal maintenance, and constant improvements. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we make it happen.
The Fields at RFK use wood chip infill instead of the traditional black rubber. The infill makes the surface softer and cooler, especially during scorching D.C. summers. This also means that maintaining the turf requires more than a simple cleanup. Every day, our team checks for trash and cleans the playing surfaces to keep them in top condition. We do a monthly deep clean that includes sweeping and raking the field surfaces to preserve their durability and quality. The team also aerates the turf every 3-4 months to keep it soft and safe for players.
Winter weather brings its own set of challenges. Snow and ice make playing conditions unsafe and clearing the fields manually can damage the turf. Since the snow melts unevenly, we open sections as they become safe and ready to use. “Making sure the fields are fully ready before reopening is important to us,” says our Operations Manager, Micah. Safety always comes first.
Caring for the fields is personal to Micah. He explains, “Growing up in D.C., I remember playing at Anacostia Park, where the grass was high and the conditions weren’t great. So for me there’s a real sense of pride in how nice this space is. We just want to keep it organized and looking great.”. That sense of pride fuels our team’s passion for maintaining The Fields as a welcoming space for all.
Go Play is committed to making The Fields at RFK a welcoming space where everyone, from young athletes to weekend warriors, can play without worry. Every day, rain or shine, winter or summer, we put in the effort to keep this space in top shape for the community. So when you step onto the field, remember—it’s more than just turf; it’s a labor of love.
