Athletic Field Design

[martin888888]

im a civil engineer specializing in land development and took on a task as a volunteer to design a running track and softball field for my daughters elementary school. Space is limited so a normal 400M (1/4 mile) track will not fit in the land available. This is fine as its an elementary school and they don't need a full size track. Probably a long shot on a civil engineering board but does anyone have experience in athletic fields and know of any good resources for design? Going to do a good search this weekend online too.

 

[LittleInch]

You'll find a lot - here's some ideas

http://www.vitax.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/200M-RUNNING-TRACK.pdf

http://www.vitax.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/300M-RUNNING-TRACK.pdf

http://www.ryde-athletics.org.au/client_files/files/marking.pdf

often the longer distances are maybe only of 4 or 6 lanes, but the straights are up to 8 lanes. You can have a common finish line, but extend the main straight if you can for thos races (100 / 110m.

All depends on your layout and plan and allow some room at the end of the straight for slow down!

Good luck and a great thing to do.



Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[martin888888]

Thank you. Appreciate that.

 

[bimr]

Here is a guideline:

https://www.wbdg.org/ccb/ARMYCOE/COETM/tm_5_803_10.pdf

 

[racookpe1978]

Remember the basics for "entertainment" as well: Bleacher space (can you get shade trees) at front or end, coaches room, starting room behind the runners, and - as above - slow down space before the fence. (The boys will run into it anyway.)
Drainage going to be a problem? The whole area is going to cause runoff problems with the existing slopes and drains, and you don't puddles getting trapped between each new separate track area (between track and field, between track and sidewalk, etc. ) with a lot of walking wear on the old grass.

 

[BigH]

Maybe I'm out to lunch, but I'd design the softball field (use a standard little league field for 9-12 year olds). Then I'd just run a track around the field - it will not be oval, it'll be like a sector of a circle - but is the track for "serious" racing or for burning off energy and getting exercise . . . doesn't have to be like a "real" track. Unless, of course, it is to cater to the parents' opinions . . . I would put the track a bit higher than the ground around it. For the base of the fields and track - well, why not for the whole space, you can google "design of playing fields". I did one years ago in British Columbia - used sand and then also had drains installed which would carry the water away quickly leaving a good field.

http://www.turfandrec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2579

http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/3631508/B-Construction-of-grass-playing-fields.pdf