2015 Pond Area Landscape Maintenance Specifications

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Ethel Manning
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1 2015 Pond Area Landscape Maintenance Specifications The Stoneybrook Village Owners Association (SVOA) is responsible for the maintenance of a detention pond and the associated landscape on its perimeter. This specification covers the maintenance of the lawns, planting beds, shrubs, small trees and irrigation of the area surrounding the pond. A separate specification covers the maintenance of the pond itself. The area covered in this specification is highlighted in blue in Figure 1. Some of the area to be maintained is designated as Association Common Area and some is easements on private property. The easement area is shown in violet in Figure 1. Trees greater than 12 feet in height are excluded; General Information The contractor shall furnish all necessary labor, equipment, materials, supervision, and professional skills required to maintain the pond, lawn and relevant plantings in an attractive, vigorous, and healthy condition throughout the contract term. The primary objective of this specification is to maintain and uphold the utility, aesthetics and ecosystem assets of the pond and its surrounding area. This requires that the maintenance of the surrounding landscape be coordinated with maintenance of the pond. The purpose of including the upkeep of the adjacent landscaping is to ensure that such services as fertilizing, pruning, shading, cleanup and bed mulching align with, and are integrated with, best management practices for detention pond oversight. This inclusion provides continuity in care for warranted plantings that from time to time have been, or will be, incorporated in the water feature landscaping scheme by the contractor. This specification does not apply to anything within the perimeter of the pond including aquatic plants and islands and rock borders. The contractor shall provide a 12-month schedule to the SVOA Management Company at the beginning of each contract and update as necessary. Resident privacy is paramount when maintaining the easement area, hence scheduling and notification to SVOA management is vital. The contractor shall provide a written annual audit of the condition of the pond and area to the SVOA Village Manager mid-way through the contract period. Chemicals shall not be applied one day prior to or one day after rainfall whenever possible. Major insect, pests or fungal problems may require additional charges to control or correct. Customer will be notified of solutions in advance of any extra charges. Minor insect and fungal control is included within this contract. Supervision Contractor will perform periodic inspections independently of site crew to insure that maintenance is being performed properly. Inspect for damage, insects, pests and disease. The irrigation system will be inspected and monitored. Coordination with an irrigation contractor to map valves, controllers, spray-heads, etc. will be facilitated by the SVOA Management Company. SVOA Pond Area Landscape Page 1 of 5 12/11/2014

2 Concerns about irrigation, influent, easement issues, unforeseen damage, or any affects not mentioned in the specifications are to be reported by the contractor to the SVOA Management Company as soon as possible for resolution. Upon request, contractor s representative shall be available to conduct a walk-through with representatives of the Management Company and/ or Pond Committee member, and/or community member designated by the SVOA board to note areas of concern or areas requiring attention. Problems identified during the walk-through within the scope of the contract shall be corrected at the next service date, or if necessary at a time to be negotiated. Lawn Services Lawn Mowing Frequency weekly during growing season. As needed during dormant season. Mowing height shall be appropriate for the type of grass, but no greater than 3. Remove grass clippings, trash and debris after each mowing. Care shall be exercised during the mowing operation to prevent damage to trees, electrical boxes, fixtures, sprinklers and signs. Vary mowing pattern to avoid ruts and unintentional patterning. Blades on turf cutting equipment shall be maintained in a sharp condition to minimize damage and trauma caused by cutting. Care shall be exercised to minimize grass clippings getting into the pond. Damaged sprinkler heads are to be reported to SVOA Management upon discovery. Edging Hard edging adjacent to sidewalks- once per month, or as needed to prevent overgrowing onto sidewalks and paved areas. Soft edge adjacent to shrub beds- once per month. Trim clearance around sprinkler heads and other obstacles in the lawn area. Edging should create clean edges of lawns without noticeable trenching. Weed Control Treat with broadleaf weed control or equivalent once each spring and spot spray or use equivalent methods throughout the growing season to affect weed control without adversely affecting the pond ecology. Damage Control Treat for Cranefly in late spring and/or in late fall as needed. Treat with moss control once in the spring if deemed necessary. Treatment of dead/bare spots: Rake to remove thatch and loosen soil. Seed and lightly cover with organic mulch. Leaf Removal Remove leaves from all landscape surfaces once per week during the Fall season. SVOA Pond Area Landscape Page 2 of 5 12/11/2014

3 Fertilizing The frequency of fertilizer application will be such that healthy vigorous conditions are maintained resulting in the appearance of a lush, green turf. Apply low phosphorous slow release type of fertilizer evenly, at least four times during the growing season. Apply fertilizer precisely to avoid overlap with pond edges, pond water, beds, and hardscapes. Any fertilizer or chemicals falling onto hardscapes are to be blown or swept up and kept away from the pond environs. Applications of weed control and fertilizer compounds may be may be combined. Dethatch. Aerate and Reseed Dethatch, plug aerate and reseed all lawns once annually, early in the fall. Plug disposition shall be aligned with the Contractor s best practices for this landscape. Shrubs & Beds Service Fertilizer Application The frequency of fertilizer application will be such that healthy vigorous conditions are maintained to promote robust shrubs and ground cover. Apply at least once during growing season and as needed. Weed Control Pre-emergent application: Apply early in spring to all shrub beds Post-emergent application: Apply weed control two times a month during growing season or control with hand weeding. Weed to maintain neat appearance as necessary before seed heads emerge. Planting beds Pre-emergent application or equivalent in early spring. Utilize appropriate chemical or manual treatments twice per month during growing season. Pruning Shrubs, Hedges and Planting Beds All shrub pruning must be under the supervision of a certified horticulturist. Pruning shall promote structural strength and accentuate the plant s natural forms and features within limitation of space. Prune all shrubs to at least six inches from sidewalks at base and away from sidewalks at top. Prune undergrowth and side growth as needed to maintain appearance and health of shrubs Clean up and remove trash and debris Prune around street signs and informational signs to maintain clear visibility. Prune according to each plant species; natural shapes and plant health will dictate pruning patterns. A 12-month pruning schedule shall be provided to the SVOA management company Leaf Removal Remove leaves from beds once a week during the Fall season. Planting Bed Maintenance Rake and groom planting beds as necessary to maintain a neat appearance. SVOA Pond Area Landscape Page 3 of 5 12/11/2014

4 Irrigation Monitor all turf areas during the growing season to ensure no areas are under watered or over watered. Make weekly checks of the irrigation system and controllers to insure they are operational and are free of leaks, blockages, malfunctioning heads and other deficiencies which inhibit the efficient irrigation of landscape areas. Adjust spray patterns for optimum coverage, as needed throughout the growing season. Repair sprinkler heads and sprayers. Reports damage to sprinkler system below threaded pipe immediately to SVOA management. Shut off at valve, if necessary. Respond and repair broken sprinkler heads within 24 hours of receipt of notice. Trim clearance ring around sprinkler heads in spring and as necessary throughout season to maintain effective spray patterns. Maintain irrigation timers to avoid under and over watering lawns. Adjust with seasonal differences. Visually check after each mowing and repair minor sprinkler head malfunctions and all damage caused by mower and edging activity. Records all sprinkler head repairs by address and type of repair for identification of problem areas. SVOA Pond Area Landscape Page 4 of 5 12/11/2014

5 Figure 1: Stoneybrook Village Pond Area SVOA Pond Area Landscape Page 5 of 5 12/11/2014

Exhibit A. Scope of Work

Exhibit A. Scope of Work Exhibit A Scope of Work TURF / LAWNS Mowing Lawns shall be mowed weekly during growing season and as required during winter months. The height of mowing shall be maintained consistently to prevent scalping