Urban Park Management Webinar Series

Transcription

1 Urban Park Management Webinar Series Turf Care in Central Park: Applying the Conservancy s Six Principles of Turf Care June 1, 2016

2 Institute for Urban Parks Through the Institute for Urban Parks, the Central Park Conservancy is: Developing resources to support urban park managers on a variety of topics including turf care Consulting with other urban park managers to develop and implement trash management strategies

3 Gary Gentilucci Turf Care Manager Serves as the principle field supervisor for the Central Park Conservancy s turf care program More than 20 years experience in the turf care industry Education: Master s Degree in Turfgrass Management, Rutgers University

4 Webinar Objectives Introduce turf care and turf conditions in Central Park Share the Central Park Conservancy s six principles of turf care Demonstrate how the Conservancy conducts turf care operations in the Park Provide strategies to care for lawns in your park

5 Turf Care 300 acres of lawns Not all treated same lawn classification Management plan for lawns unique programs

6 Lawn Classification

7 Six Principles 1. Mowing & String Trimming 2. Irrigation 3. Fertilization 4. Aeration 5. Restoration and Renovation 6. Integrated Pest Management

8 Mowing & String Trimming Most basic of cultural practice but needs to be performed properly Removing top growth creates stress Influence on density and health Use of the lawn Equipment rotary mower 11 foot wide ride-on 6 foot wide ride-on 3- & 4-foot walk-behind maintenance

9 Mowing & String Trimming Height of Cut 2.5 or 3.0 Frequency based on growth rate / use (2 x s per week) Detail in fence line labor intensive Monitor growth and current conditions

10 Mowing & String Trimming Seasonal Adjustments Spring more frequent Summer growth Fall leaves and mulch mowing

11 Irrigation Application of water to plants promote active growth Automatic and Manual Impact on use of turf area Not all lawns

12 Automatic Irrigation Overnight watering allows to drain before use Central computer Weather station rain hold Field scouting for conditions and adjust amounts actively managed seasonal factors

13 Automatic Irrigation Monthly system check In-house repair and sprinkler adjustments Spring start-up Fall winterization Valves and sprinklers repair parts inventory

14 Manual Irrigation New seeding and established Labor intensive frequent moving of sprinkler Daytime and use of lawn

15 Fertilization Soil tests Provide nutrients to encourage healthy growth or recovery Timing April through October Avoid hot temperatures (July) Tractor-mounted or walk-behind rotary spreader

16 Fertilization Organic based granular Rate: 0.5 lb N / application Total: 3.5 lb N / year Not all lawns fertilized Types: Maintenance and starter

17 Fertilization The importance of calibration and application

18 Aeration Improve soil condition to encourage deep root growth which allows lawns to persist with heavy use Reduce compaction Increase infiltration air exchange water and nutrients Two Types solid tine & hollow tine

19 In-Season Aeration Monthly May to August Verti-drain Verti-quake Surface clean Six to eight inches deep Mark infrastructure irrigation check Solid Tine

20 Core Aeration Fall restoration with seeding September or October 2 to 3 inches Surface disruption Hollow Tine

21 Core Aeration Drum aerator walk / tow behind Smaller lawn use

22 Restoration & Renovation Annual programs to keep desired quality and density Restoration: improve existing Core aeration and over-seed Renovation: starting over Rotation based on need or desire Lawn closure during process

23 Restoration Solid tine: vibratory lateral shatter of soil Outside areas of play aggressive entrances Roller, one pass and can seed Aera-vator

24 Restoration Create environment for seed to germinate Seed-to-soil contact Clean-up Verti-cut

25 Restoration Create environment for seed to germinate Modifying soil / surface drying Thatch accumulation Topdress

26 Restoration Broadcast seed on top of existing lawn Introduce newer improved grasses (species and varieties) Recover from thinning and turf loss from summer stress Timing September and October Overseed Often includes core aeration and other cultural practices

27 Restoration Seed-to-soil contact Break up soil plugs from core aeration Clean-up and knock in sand on surface Smooth out surface Drag Mat

28 Seed specification Specification is reviewed annually Based on current NTEP data Cultivars are selected for: Mean turfgrass quality Disease ratings Wear tolerance ratings 25,000 pounds of seed park wide Central Park Athletic Fields Kentucky Bluegrass 3,000 lbs Perennial Ryegrass 3,000 lbs Tall Fescue 1,750 lbs Shade 300 lbs

29 Overseeding Rates (1,000 ft 2 ) Kentucky Bluegrass: 2 to 5 lbs Perennial Ryegrass: 5 to 10 lbs Tall Fescue: 5 to 7 lbs Shade Mix: 3 to 7 lbs

30 Renovation Communication Signage Fencing Improvement to an individual lawn on rotating basis

31 Renovation Soil testing and amending Seed selection

32 Renovation Straw and jute netting Moisture and temperature Erosion control

33 Renovation Aftercare water and fertilizer

34 Integrated Pest Management Previous five principles and programs Create environment for heathy plant growth Identification of problem insect, weed, disease Thresholds of acceptance

35 Integrated Pest Management White grub damage Laboratory analysis Determine future coarse of action

36 Integrated Pest Management One year later Snow mold winter disease Spring seeding Increased fertility with appropriate timing

37 For more information about the Webinar Series and other Institute programs, please contact: Maura Lout Director, Center for Urban Park Management Chris Cousino Associate Director of Urban Park Management Learn more at:

38 Public-Private Partnerships: The Central Park Conservancy Experience Douglas Blonsky, President & CEO and Central Park Administrator Wednesday, June 15, :00 PM EST REGISTER NOW