Key Facts
• Lawn pot seedling making held in Shizuoka City to create comfortable sports grounds
• Event date: April 12, 2026
• Organized by NPO Ground Keepers with Shimizu S-Pulse cooperation
• About 150 participants including S-Pulse academy players and parents
• 40,000 small grass seedlings carefully planted into pots
• Seedlings grown in pots for about 2 months before planting in local schoolyards
• Natural turf grounds expected to be completed by September 2026
• Participants enjoyed planting and described texture as “squishy and fun”
• Lawn provides flat ground improving ball movement and passing during play
Summary
In Shizuoka City, a community-driven effort led by the NPO Ground Keepers and supported by the Shimizu S-Pulse soccer club organized a large-scale pot seedling making event on April 12, 2026. Approximately 150 participants, including academy players and their parents, planted 40,000 small grass seedlings into pots. The seedlings will be nurtured for about two months before being transplanted into schoolyards across the prefecture. This initiative aims to transform school grounds into natural turf fields, providing children with a safer and more comfortable environment for sports activities. Participants highlighted the enjoyable tactile experience of planting and noted that the flat lawn surface improves ball control and passing, enhancing play quality. The natural turf fields are expected to be ready by September 2026, marking a significant step toward better sports facilities in the region.
