Bush Sports Turf
Design, Geo-Mapping, & Planning

Millimeter‑accurate 3D surveys and machine‑ready plans that turn site data into buildable, long‑lasting athletic fields.

Built to Perform

Bush Sports Turf combines 30+ years of agronomy, civil engineering, and field‑construction experience to produce design packages that translate cleanly into buildable, long‑lasting athletic surfaces. We merge high‑resolution topographic and “below‑the‑turf” 3D surveys with soil science, drainage modeling, and GPS/laser‑ready machine files so your project hits grading tolerances, performs through freeze/thaw cycles, and minimizes lifecycle cost.

 

Who this service is for

  • Owners, athletic directors, and facilities managers
  • Public procurement teams and school districts
  • Design and engineering consultants
  • Municipal parks, club and commercial facilities

Our core capabilities

  • 3D Subsurface & Topographic Surveys — Robotic total station, LiDAR, and RTK/GNSS surveys that map both surface topography and subsurface base geometry so low spots and volume needs are known before construction.
  • Soil Testing & Rootzone Design — Lab analysis and engineered rootzones tailored for sport type, infiltration targets, and Midwest freeze/thaw performance.
  • Drainage Modeling & Stormwater Integration — Surface flow modeling, subdrain layout, pipe sizing, and infiltration strategies to reduce downtime after storms.
  • GPS/Laser Machine Files — DEM/XYZ exports and machine‑control files compatible with contractor guidance systems for precise grading and minimal rework.
  • CAD/CAM Construction Documents — Plan/profile/section sheets, cut/fill reports, and bid‑ready packages to support RFPs and public procurement.
  • Permitting & Specification Support — Performance‑based specs (Gmax targets, pile height, infill depth), permit packet prep, and pre‑bid walkthrough assistance.

Typical deliverables you’ll receive

  • Full plan set: plans, profiles, and sections (PDF)
  • 3D DEM (OBJ / XYZ / TIN) and machine‑control files
  • Cut/fill volume report and quantity takeoffs
  • Drainage layout and infiltration performance report
  • Soil lab report and engineered rootzone specification
  • Permit‑ready technical specifications and bid package
  • As‑built survey, DEM, and verification report at closeout

Our design process — from survey to shovel

  1. Discovery & Program Definition — hours of use, sport mix, maintenance capacity, budget, and schedule define measurable performance targets.
  2. Data Collection — high‑resolution topo, “below‑the‑turf” robotic mapping, soil cores, infiltration tests, and utility locates.
  3. Modeling & Preliminary Design — drainage modeling, slope analysis, base/rootzone design, and constructability review.
  4. Final Design & Machine File Delivery — CAD sheets, DEMs, machine‑control exports, cut/fill calculations, and procurement documents.
  5. Pre‑construction Support & QA — bid review support, pre‑bid site walks, and on‑site GPS/laser setup during construction.
  6. As‑built Verification & Handoff — as‑built DEMs, maintenance guidance, and warranty documentation delivered at closeout.

Midwest climate & lifecycle considerations

Design choices matter more in the Midwest where freeze/thaw cycles, heavy rains, and spring thaws can expose weak foundations. Our specifications prioritize frost‑resistant base materials, positive drainage gradients, and seam protection details to limit winter damage and extend service life — lowering total cost of ownership for school districts, municipalities, and clubs.

 

Why choose Bush Sports Turf

  • 30+ years of combined turf, agronomy, and construction experience
  • In‑house agronomist and Certified Sports Field Manager (CSFM)
  • Millimeter GPS, robotic total stations, and 3D mapping workflows
  • Proven public RFP experience, award‑winning projects, and local Midwest references
  • Delivery of machine‑ready files and verifiable as‑built documentation

 

Frequently Asked Design, Geo-Mapping, & Planning Questions

What is a “Below the Turf” 3D survey?

A high‑resolution subsurface/topography mapping process using robotic total station, LiDAR, or geophysical scans that documents base elevations and compaction patterns so grading plans and machine files are accurate. It prevents surprises and optimizes earthwork quantities.

How long does design and mapping take?

Typical schedules: small fields 4–6 weeks; larger stadium or complex projects 6–12+ weeks depending on lab turnaround, permitting, and scope. We provide a customized timeline during the proposal phase.

Will your files work with our contractor’s GPS/laser equipment?

Yes. We deliver DEM/XYZ/OBJ exports and machine‑control files in standard formats and provide on‑site setup and QA so contractors can achieve specified tolerances.

Can design and mapping reduce construction costs?

Yes. Accurate surveys and optimized grading reduce rework, minimize material waste, and limit change orders—often lowering total construction cost compared with low‑detail approaches.

Do you prepare RFPs and provide bid support?

Yes. We prepare performance‑based specifications, procurement packages, attend pre‑bid walks, and provide technical bid evaluation to protect project performance and budget.

What deliverables do I get at closeout?

As‑built elevations, DEM/XYZ files, CAD sheets, soil lab results, drain/infiltration reports, and a seasonal maintenance plan plus warranty documents.

More About Bush Sports Turf Services

Bush Sports Turf was founded in 1992 as a sports turf company offering field design, geo-mapping, and planning and has continued to offer the best natural sod, artificial turf, field construction, field renovation, field conversion, field optimization, and field consultation services, and more for decades in the Midwest US area (including but not limited to Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, & Wisconsin). Bush Sports Turf has an agronomist on staff, a Certified Sports Field Manager (CSFM), a Certified Professional in Erosion Control and is proud to be a part of the National, Illinois, & Iowa Chapters of the Sports Turf Managers Association, as well as a part of the United States Golf Association and the International Erosion Control Association. Bush Turf has won multiple awards over the years, including the Golden Cleat Award from the Iowa Sports Turf Managers Association, Certified Field Builder, American Sports Builders Association, and both State and National Field of the Year awards. Bush Sports Turf has acquired both “Florida Golf Course Company” & “Below the Turf”. Give us a call and we’ll help you identify how we can best care for your field and those whole will be using the field.


Business Address: 6800 78th Ave W, Milan, IL 61264
Business Phone: +13097872676
Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 7am – 5pm

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