SportsTurf

SportsTurf March 2011

SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.

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• Verify sub-grade and final topsoil grade elevations to confirm slope, topsoil depth, proper drainage, etc. by having the contrac- tor use a 3rd party, licensed surveyor with an appropriate grid pattern. • Fine grade the topsoil to eliminate un- even areas and low spots. Maintain profiles and contour of sub-grade. • Finish grade shall be a smooth, clod- free, non-compacted seedbed ready for planting. • Throughout the project, it is the con- tractor’s responsibility to maintain the top- soil in place at specified grades. Topsoil losses due to erosion will be replaced by the contractor until acceptance is achieved from the owner. • Protect existing plant growth and fea- tures remaining as final landscaping. IRRIGATION • Check the architect’s irrigation system design for flaws, equipment type and com- patibility, layout design, manufacturer spec- ifications, application rates, distribution uniformity (head to head coverage), etc. • Make sure you have enough irrigation water from the source to meet the demands. • Specify the method of installing the ir- rigation system (i.e., ditch and pipe into sub-grade, add topsoil, and then place heads to avoid topsoil contamination issues. • Specify irrigation audits on all zones for approval by owner. • Strategically place isolation valves throughout the project site. TURFGRASS SELECTION • Specify exactly what you want—vari- ety/type, sod vs. sprigs vs. seed, planting rate, appropriate dates of planting, pre- plant and grow-in fertilizer, herbicide appli- cations, tillage, rolling, irrigation, etc. • Have a backup plan if the contractor cannot meet the dates for planting. • Specify a finished product free of weeds (i.e., common bermudagrass as a weed in a hybrid bermudagrass site). • Specify that the owner must approve the turfgrass before installation. Travel to the sod farms for sod/sprig approval. • Specify the guarantee maintenance pe- riod after planting for the contractor. FINAL THOUGHTS • Be observant and verify the work of the contractor. • Don’t expect to always be the most liked person at the site. • Take digital photos and document everything. • Stay focused, sustain professional man- nerisms, but maintain resolve! ■ Roger D. Havlak is a private turfgrass con- sultant who also serves as the Parks Superin- tendent for the San Angelo, Texas community. The City of San Angelo completed the con- struction of a sports field complex in 2009 that included 15 baseball/softball/flag football fields, concession and restroom facilities, play- ground site, four sand volleyball courts, and 55 acres of Tifway 419 bermudagrass turf. He can be reached at rdh@zipnet.us. www.stma.org SportsTurf 27

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