AstroTurf was first used in the Houston Astrodome in 1966, much to the annoyance of Philadelphia Phillies slugger Dick Allen. "If a cow can't eat it," he said, "I don't want to play on it." As the playing surfaces have been refined, the number of cities and towns with artificial turf fields on the ground or in the works has grown, even as some communities kick the tires on such projects and find them too rich for their blood.

What slow economy? say synthetic turf companies

June 12, 2012

AstroTurf was invented in 1965 and first used in the Houston Astrodome in 1966, much to the annoyance of Philadelphia Phillies slugger Dick Allen. “If a cow can’t eat it,’’ he said, “I don’t want to play on it.” As the playing surfaces have been refined, the number of cities and towns with artificial turf fields on the ground or in the works has grown, even as some communities kick the tires on such projects and find them too rich for their blood.

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