Urban Park Management Webinar Series Turf Care in Central Park: Applying the Conservancy s Six Principles of Turf Care June 1, 2016
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
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
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
Turf Care 300 acres of lawns Not all treated same lawn classification Management plan for lawns unique programs
Lawn Classification
Six Principles 1. Mowing & String Trimming 2. Irrigation 3. Fertilization 4. Aeration 5. Restoration and Renovation 6. Integrated Pest Management
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
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
Mowing & String Trimming Seasonal Adjustments Spring more frequent Summer growth Fall leaves and mulch mowing
Irrigation Application of water to plants promote active growth Automatic and Manual Impact on use of turf area Not all lawns
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
Automatic Irrigation Monthly system check In-house repair and sprinkler adjustments Spring start-up Fall winterization Valves and sprinklers repair parts inventory
Manual Irrigation New seeding and established Labor intensive frequent moving of sprinkler Daytime and use of lawn
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
Fertilization Organic based granular Rate: 0.5 lb N / application Total: 3.5 lb N / year Not all lawns fertilized Types: Maintenance and starter
Fertilization The importance of calibration and application
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
In-Season Aeration Monthly May to August Verti-drain Verti-quake Surface clean Six to eight inches deep Mark infrastructure irrigation check Solid Tine
Core Aeration Fall restoration with seeding September or October 2 to 3 inches Surface disruption Hollow Tine
Core Aeration Drum aerator walk / tow behind Smaller lawn use
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
Restoration Solid tine: vibratory lateral shatter of soil Outside areas of play aggressive entrances Roller, one pass and can seed Aera-vator
Restoration Create environment for seed to germinate Seed-to-soil contact Clean-up Verti-cut
Restoration Create environment for seed to germinate Modifying soil / surface drying Thatch accumulation Topdress
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
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
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
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
Renovation Communication Signage Fencing Improvement to an individual lawn on rotating basis
Renovation Soil testing and amending Seed selection
Renovation Straw and jute netting Moisture and temperature Erosion control
Renovation Aftercare water and fertilizer
Integrated Pest Management Previous five principles and programs Create environment for heathy plant growth Identification of problem insect, weed, disease Thresholds of acceptance
Integrated Pest Management White grub damage Laboratory analysis Determine future coarse of action
Integrated Pest Management One year later Snow mold winter disease Spring seeding Increased fertility with appropriate timing
For more information about the Webinar Series and other Institute programs, please contact: Maura Lout Director, Center for Urban Park Management mlout@centralparknyc.org Chris Cousino Associate Director of Urban Park Management ccousino@centralparknyc.org Learn more at: centralparknyc.org/institute institute@centralparknyc.org @cpcinstitute 212.310.6678
Public-Private Partnerships: The Central Park Conservancy Experience Douglas Blonsky, President & CEO and Central Park Administrator Wednesday, June 15, 2016 2:00 PM EST REGISTER NOW https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7664833369935749378