Harford County Department of Parks & Recreation Turf Management Program

Abstract

The purpose of this document is to provide an agronomic plan for the Harford County Department of Parks & Recreation that establishes a minimum/recreational level turf grass standard for a variety of activities and that uses the most cost-effective treatment options available. The department maintains 91 multi-purpose fields and 58 baseball and softball diamonds. All of these sites consist of native soil and standard grass (mostly fescue and some bluegrass) playing surfaces. Fields are generally used from 5pm to dark on weekdays and games are played on weekends typically from sun-up to sun-down. Prior data collection indicates fields are used approximately 20-30 hours a week. There are instances where fields are used up to 35 hours a week. The current mowing schedule is a seven-day mowing cycle. Current mowing heights are between 2.5” - 3” (which can be adjusted) with a rotating cross-cut direction each week. Mowing occurs from early April until early November. Based on the current budget, we recommend maintaining the mowing schedule at once per week and rotating the direction of cut. Currently, the recreation councils are treating their fields with fertilizer treatment, weed inhibitor, seeding and sodding when needed. The goal is to determine the most cost-effective treatment option for these playing surfaces. Equally important is to create a uniform maintenance regime among all fields.

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