The last time we hit up downtown Silver Spring, we were surprised to see a park carpeted with AstroTurf. Or, as the Post later informed us, SoftLawn. Well, no longer will the park be alone in that strange, yet interesting distinction.

WTOP is reporting that the lack of outdoor playing fields has prompted some Montgomery County officials to consider using artificial turf as an alternative. The county’s planning board is looking to identify two or three sites to test the idea, and are excited at the prospects:

“We think it gives a more consistent surface, less maintenance. It’s playable pretty much year-round,” says Mark Wallace, a senior park planner for the county.

Hmmm, maybe the Mall could use a little AstroTurf to brighten things up.