3 Keys to Maintaining High Quality, High Traffic Athletic Fields

Transcription

1 3 Keys to Maintaining High Quality, High Traffic Athletic Fields Jerad R. Minnick Director- Grounds & Environmental Innovations Maryland Soccer Foundation

2 How Much Is TOO MUCH For Grass?? Is the Circus Coming To Town? Concerts Multiple Sports Corporate Outings Fundraisers Practices On Field Public Events

3 Revenue is Business Principle #1!! Revenue from additional events allows the your business to succeed Field being able to sustain more events illustrates the unique value of Sports Field Managers

4 YOU Are Not Alone!! Emirates Stadium 2012 EPL Groundsman of the Year (Paul Ashcroft) FC Dallas Stadium 2011 STMA Pro FOY (Allen Reed)

5 Accept the Challenge So That You May Feel the Exhilaration of Victory General George S. Patton

6 3 Keys For Success 1. Aggressive Cultivation 2. Nutrient Management 3. Traffic Management

7 Aggressive Cultivation

8 Aggressive: Vigorously energetic, especially in use of initiative & forcefulness. Dictionary.com Vigorously Energetic: Minimum 1-2 times/ month Initiative & Forceful: Finding time when there is no time (small windows between events, at night during heat) Push the Edge of The Envelope!!

9 Cultivation: Aeration Reduces Surface Compaction Provides Air to Suffocating Roots Supplies Life to Microbial Activity Allows for Water Penetration Removes Organic Matter

10 Linear Soil Wave Vertical Deep Tine/ Shatter Cultivation: De-Compaction Allows for Deeper Rooting Provides Vertical Drainage Through Profile

11 Cultivation: Soil Air Refreshing Deep De-Compacts and Refreshes Soil Air Supply

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13 Cultivation: De-Thatching Removes Organic Matter Build Up Promotes Density and Durability

14 Cultivation: Fraze Mowing Removes Thatch, Organic Matter, Weed Seed

15 Nutrient Management

16 Nutrient Management: Nitrogen Nitrogen in An Essential Component of Photosynthesis Key for Producing Proteins Nitrogen Driven Growth Elongates & Weakens Cell Walls Walls are Easily Punctured by Pathogens/Rupture From Traffic and Maintenance

17 N In Moderation Strong, Durable Cell Walls Withstand Traffic & Diseases Durable Plant Require No Fast Recovery Growth Consistent Growth Sustains Carbohydrate Levels for Summer Stress and Maintained Roots

18 Nitrogen State Fertilizer Laws are Targeting N Use Timing for Use, % of Slow Release, Yearly Totals Wide Range of Release Technologies Provide Options Tracking Estimated Nitrogen Release From Organic Matter Avoids Flush Growth in Summer Heat

19 Without Mn & Potassium Silicate Recovery in 2 Weeks From.05 lb N, Fe, Mn, & Potassium Silicate Plant Essential Nutrients For Stress Macro and Micro Nutrients are Important (In Balance) Certain Nutrients Reinforce Plant Systems to Fight Stress Fe & Mn Important for Photosynthesis (Green); Si & Ca Reinforce Cell Walls For Durability (Grass Stands Up); K Strengthens Plant & Blocks Bi-Carb Uptake

20 Utilizing Biostimulants Biostimulant: Organic product aiding in plant metabolic processes (respiration, photosynthesis) Turfgrass Plants are Constantly Under Stress From Everywhere Weather, Traffic, Compacted Soils, Mowing Off the Photosynthetic Surface Biostimulants Support Processes Unable to Sustain Due to Stress Hormones, Amino Acids, Carbohydrates, Anti-Oxidants

21 Traffic Management

22 Re-Sizing/ Shifting Fields to Change Traffic Patterns Soccer and Lacrosse fields have minimum and maximum sizes Majority of both sports is played in the center of the field Shifting the center of the field slightly will allow recovery Changing width & length will move goal mouths & referee lines

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24 Re-Sizing/ Shifting Fields to Change Traffic Patterns Bench areas for all sports are also need rotating - 1 soccer match has 18 players warming up in-front of the benches (108 in 1 day from 6 matches) American football limited because of goal posts, but do not let that stop you!

25 Directly Addressing Traffic Patterns Aeration Topdressing Fertilizer Seeding Grow Tarps

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29 Communication Is Essential For Success Communicating/ Empowering Coaches & Refs Gives You Allies! Coaches meetings, Referee Trainings, League Gatherings No Surprises! Use Positive Speak Offering Solutions & Ideas. No Negative

30 Summary of 3 Keys Goal: (Human Analogy) Growing Strong, Healthy Plants Strong, Healthy Plants Are Durable, Do Not Require Recovery 1. Aggressive Cultivation 2. Nutrient Management 3. Traffic Management

31 Never Stop Challenging Yourself!!

32 Never Stop Challenging Yourself!! Maryland SoccerPlex Stadium- 35 Days After Seeding Kentucky bluegrass

33 Future is Bright!! SoccerPlex GEM (Facebook) (Blog)