The contractor shall provide turf maintenance including aeration, seeding, and topdressing for up to approximately 5 acres of sports fields. The end result is to be uniform turf athletic playing surfaces, free of tripping hazards. a. Topdressing: U s e t o p s o i l ( s o i l / s a n d m i x ) t o f i l l a ll holes, ruts and wear spots w i l l b e filled in and leveled with topsoil to match the existing grade. A top dresser will be used to distribute topdressing over t h e g e n e r a l field surfaces. Recommended top dressing mix is to consist of 80% sand and 20% compost. Sand is to meet USGA specifications. After filling in ruts, holes and wear spots, all areas will be top dressed with at ¼” – 2” of topdressing. Areas where large holes exist are to be filled with a mixture of 60% sand (USGA spec), 20% humus and 20% topsoil. Starter fertilizer is to be used to promote growth on patched areas larger than 6” x 6”. Space permitting and if necessary, the Thornton Park – Farnsleigh Road parking lot can be used as a staging for topdressing materials. On site, topdressing materials may not be dumped directly on turf or ball field infields. b. Core Aeration & Plug Dragging: Use shatter tine aeration only. . Four (4) passes, each in a varied direction is to be performed. Core plugs should remain on the fields and left to dry. Once core plugs have dried, drag or brush the field, to disperse soil cores evenly across the playing surface. Once the plugs have been dragged, the fields are to be raked clean of all remaining grass tufts. Please make certain that irrigation heads at Town Center and the Median Field have been marked prior to aerating. c. Seeding/Over-seeding: To be completed during fall or spring dependent upon weather conditions. To be applied by slit seeder, broadcast spreader or similar approved device. The entire surfaces of the fields are to be mechanically slit seeded with 100% Perennial Ryegrass (Lesco Double Eagle 3-Way perennial rye grass or L e s c o , Turf type tall fescue select blend or approved equal) distributed at a rate of 6-8 pounds per 1000 square feet is to be used. Attention must be given to making certain that wear areas and bare spots are to be properly seeded. Rolling wet turf areas to flatten playing surface. Allow 2-week delay between fertilization applications and slit seeding. Fertilization for newly planted grass seed: Broadcast fertilize of Scotts, Lesco, Lebanon Turf, Knox Fertilizer or approved equal 24 nitrogen – 25 phosphorous - 4 potash. Any change in fertilizer mixture is based upon the approval of the Project Manager. d. Field Rolling: the purpose of rolling a field is to smooth out uneven surfaces. Rolling will provide a faster play surface. To prevent compaction rolling is to been when the field is damp, but not wet. Rolling cannot be done when the soil is dry. Avoid sprinkler heads. Roller (s) weight is to be 1,500 – 1,800 pounds minimum.
