Specifications include, but are not limited to: • The City is committed to utilizing organic turf management practices for maintenance of the fields. As such, mowing practices are critical to ensure success of the organic program. Attachment D includes recommended mowing heights. For the soccer fields, height of cut is desired to be 3” – 3-1/2”. Baseball/softball fields should be 2 -1/2” – 3”. Base Bid assumes weekly mowing over a 24-week period. But as an Alternate Bid Item, there is a “pereach” price should the soccer fields or baseball/softball fields require additional mowing during peak growing seasons in order to stay in compliance with the recommended mowing heights. • Blade sharpness is critical for proper cutting of grass, and to also prevent “clumping” of cut grass. The City reserves the right to halt mowing should it be determined that blades are either too dull or improperly aligned or bent. The intent is to leave all clippings, so mowing operations should ensure clippings are evenly dispersed. Contractor will be required to sharpen blades if it is determined dull blades and leading to “scalping” of the grass. • Trimming is required along sidewalk edges and other obstacles such as utility poles, fences, etc. The fence line adjacent to the parking lot shall be trimmed weekly. • There are 2 designated areas deemed “steep banks” which require mowing twice per year, usually once in July and once towards end of season. A separate Bid Item is provided for this mowing. • The steep banking above the soccer fields on the Garrison Road side should be cut twice a year. Cutting is required as part of the scope of work but cleanup is not. Debris can be left. See map with yellow-colored area indicating steep bank locations. • The steep banking on the south side of the three (3) soccer fields will not require regular mowing except on the slope adjacent to the main parking lot and the path from the gravel parking lot at Back River Road & Garrison Road. • Spraying of herbicides is not allowed. Mechanical trimming will be required along the fence at the softball fields. • Fertilization & Aeration of the playing fields is provided by others under a separate contract. • Mowing will need to be scheduled around activities on the field; the preferred mowing should occur Thursday or Friday each week, as the City lines the ballfields on Friday afternoons.
