OK, I'm desperate now! There has got to be a solution!

I can't travel so I can't post a photo of my mom's mondo grass. This is mine. The small stuff in the center is the nana and it can be planted closer together. The mondo on the outside is regular mondo grass which is too lumpy for a play surface.

doss,
I have a better idea of what it looks like now. I like it, and will try to find some, have to think about where it would work for me. I may just put in a cottage garden in that one area, but I do like it a lot.
Sorry you can't travel, it's hard for me too.
Thanks for sharing your photo! : )
Walk In Beauty!
SW

One good turf substitute no one mentioned is Carex pansa. It is a Ca native....it is extremely tough....will take sun or shade and doesn't mind being on the dry side. You only have to mow it two or three times a year. I have it at my place....Another option would be doing a variegated St Augustine. The variegation slows the growth down a bit and the color for a lawn is gorgeous.

andy, is this the St. Augustine you're referring to?
http://davesgarden.com/products/ps/go/57429/

Yo! Andy, please send a photo (if you can) of your Carex pansa. I love CA natives, and would love to see how it is working in your lawn. Hadn't thought of the St. Augustine grass. Good suggestion!
Many thanks! : )
Walk In Beauty!
SW

And your zone, Andy? Does is spread? Can it be seeded?

Linda, living in Fresno, Central Valley of CA

Doss...I love yout mondo grass lawn!
Andy, how traffic tolerant is carex pansa?

Hi,
Sorry for my delay....lots of questions to answer...Twincol....I am in Sunset zone 24...it spreads a little but it really is a clumper...I know of no one offering seed.
Rob..... I have a client with a Carex pansa lawn....she has her grandkids playing on it frequently....so I would say it takes some foot traffic. I wouldn't have the local high school football team practicing on it though......
SingingWolf...I will try to get a photo for you of the Carex....as for the Variegated St. Augustine....you can view photos of it at tompiergrossi.com
Imapigeon....yes that is a photo of it. Though the photo doesn't do the plant justice.

Another great Carex that can be used as a lawn is C. pregasillus...(probably butchered the spelling on that one)

Andy