What surface is rugged enough to withstand athletic games, fine enough to carpet LaDainian Tomlinson’s yard and environmentally friendly enough to meet the needs of SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo and Quail Botanical Gardens? Synthetic grass.

The introduction of municipal vouchers for the product, the opening of sales kiosks at local home improvement stores and installation at high-profile locations is pushing the synthetic grass industry into the mainstream.

Earlier this year, SYNLawn, the largest manufacturer and installer of artificial landscaping, reached an agreement with Lowe’s to display its artificial grass in 45 Southern California stores. The Dalton, Ga.-based manufacturer displays its products at Lowe’s locations in Chula Vista, Escondido, Mission Valley, Oceanside and Vista, and at a Miramar display and design center.

Duane Roth, vice president of sales at SYNLawn, noted that synthetic grass has come a long way from those stiff plastic blades filled with rubber crumb gravel to a more secure infill with softer blades made of nylon. Roth also noted that different synthetic grass systems are optimized for different places such as pool areas, resort landscaping, children’s play area, roadway medians and, of course, lawns.

“With the water shortages, fires, and people talking about green, it’s snowballing,” said Roth, who has worked on numerous projects in San Diego. “We created a product that passed consumer objections.”

Artificial grass does not need to be watered or cut nor does it require fertilizer, herbicides or pesticides. In addition, SYNLawn products contain sustainable materials that replace petroleum products with a soybean oil product that contains other recycled material and redirected post consumer waste.

Mike Bray, director of business development for Escondido-based EasyTurf Inc., has been a shift from largely residential installations in San Diego to a larger number of commercial projects. EasyTurf has installed more than 2 million square feet of FieldTurf in Southern California. FieldTurf is the synthetic grass brand used at 21 professional football stadiums and practice fields.

Bray said it installs the same tough turf used by the NFL for homes and businesses and has already done so at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, San Diego Humane Society, and Humphrey’s By the Bay. He anticipates a larger shift from residential to commercial accounts by year’s end.

He added that the installation can meet criteria required to earn LEED certification (short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which is issued by the U.S. Green Building Council and considered the benchmark of sustainable and environmentally-friendly development.

Craig Balben, public affairs representative for the San Diego County Water Authority, said seven of its 24 member agencies offer vouchers to single-family residential customers. Those agencies are the city of Poway, Helix Water District, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, Otay Water District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Valley Center Municipal Water District and Vista Irrigation District.

In addition, the County Water Authority offers vouchers to commercial and industrial customers, including mobile home parks, public and private schools, and animal care facilities. It is offering $0.50 per square foot.