Non-functional turf is defined as:

• Grass areas with any single dimension of eight (8) feet or less.
• Grass areas exceeding a 4:1, or twenty-five percent (25%), slope.
• Grass areas that are not accessible by paved pathways and/or are restricted by physical barriers that prohibit accessibility.
• Grass areas installed closer than ten (10) feet to a street and/or in front entryways to residential neighborhoods or subdivisions where other recreational amenities do not exist.
• Grass areas that are not utilized for active or programmed recreational purposes and/or for drainage conveyances, storm basins, or erosion control.

The City of Tempe is undergoing projects to remove non-functional turf at several parks and Tempe City Hall. Tempe also offers incentives for Water Utilities customers for for the replacement of non-functional turf with low-water-use plants.

Non-Functional turf at Creamery Park

Non-Functional turf conversion at Dwight Park

Non-Functional turf conversion in progress at Mary and Moses Green Park