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.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/69161
Facility&Operations paths provide for a comfortable walk and a close up look to all of the trees. More than 70 rocks and boulders were trucked in and placed with some weighing several tons and as large as a Texas Longhorn steer. The boulders were at no cost to the District as the District owns and maintains properties littered with "Big Rocks". A total of 50,000 square feet of the tree planting areas are mulched with approximately 700 cubic yards of locally generated chips from tree trimming contractors. The mulching depth is ap- proximately four to 5 inches. The mulching of all bare areas pro- vides for a great weed barrier, enhances soil building and erosion control , and re- tains soil moisture which lessens irrigation applications for establish trees. All mulch was provided at no cost to the District. Each tree species are identified with a 9-inch diameter sign which includes the scientific and common names of the tree. There are two park legend signs which de- tail the boundaries, turf, tree locations, paths, boulders, benches and tables. Several picnic tables and sitting benches are part of the relaxing experi- ence when visiting the park. Each is con- structed of recycled materials and provide for comfortable sitting and long wear. The park is extremely dog friendly with several 'Doggie Stations' providing for bio-degradable pick it up bags. There are waste and recycle receptacles along the pathway. CONSTRUCTION ISSUES The biggest challenge of the project demonstrated itself during irrigation trenching and tree planting and this was due to the history of the site. As men- tioned, this site had been a rock, sand concrete operation for many years. Dur- ing the excavating and digging many con- crete footings, driveways and slag dumps were found beneath the soil. When thick layers of concrete were encountered dur- ing the irrigation trenching, the trenches and pipes had to take a few odd turns. Several tree planting holes had to be jack hammered free of the concrete to allow proper drainage. MAINTENANCE There are several grass species that are found in the turf area and they include fescue, bermuda, kikuyu, rye and blue- grass. This multi-species mix provides for a durable play area throughout the year. Within this mix are assorted broadleaf weeds which are tolerated to a degree. Re- cently a broad leaf weed eradication schedule has been implemented and most of these weeds are expected to be con- 28 SportsTurf | June 2012 www.sportsturfonline.com