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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 10 27 Informational 302 John Deere Sidelines Publication COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM 302 CONSENT INFORMATIONA~. X PUBLIC HEARING REGULAR 10/27/03 Meeting MGR.~' /DEPTC-CY. Authorization REQUEST: The Parks and Recreation Department is informing the City Commission that Central Winds Park is highlighted in JD (John Deere) Sidelines Publication. PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is to inform the City Commission about this recognition. CONSIDERATIONS: . In February 2003 staff informed John Deere about Central Winds Park. . On July 22, 2003 writers and photographers from North Carolina came to Central Winds to view the park and inte/View the staff. . The JD Sidelines is distributed to over 6,000 customers across North America. FUNDING: N/A. RECOMMENDATION: N/A. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE: N/A 1 ITT -~ ~, j'. ~- , ,,, ~,._ "" ~ Fields Of Excellence R„ . ~ ~~ , a°national honor in ~. ~ t recognition of pride °'~ ~ and commitment to the . ~.~.>> highest level of quality. Even t"` ~- without the formal recognition, the The 3235B is the main machine when it comes to reSldentS of Winter Springs, Florida - a suburb about 20 minutes north of downtown Orlando -know they grooming the outfie/d, whi/e the mode/ 4300 tractor and have exceptional playing fields, and they appreciate the a host of accessoies can be seen throughout the pa~/c. dedication of a small cadre of maintenance professionals. continued on page 2 Dedication and skill recognized at Florida's Central Winds Park .~. ;~,: . The park's facilities have earned the honor twice since Donald James, C.P.S.I., took over as Parks and Grounds Superintendent in 1999, and he directs a staff that shares his dedication to providing a safe environment for players of all ages. Expansive facility The Central Winds Park covers 72 acres and includes two baseball diamonds, two softball fields, four regulation soccer fields, a 6-acre multipurpose field, a 10-acre amphitheatre, playgrounds and a nature trail. In addition to games, the facility hosts the annual 4th of July fireworks, the Easter Egg hunt and the Scottish American Society's games. All the fields are active seven days a week. "It's hard to come here, day or night, when there's not a game, a practice or a clinic of some sort going on," James says. The team "captains" at Central Winds Park are sports field crew chief Tina Kimba/l and parks and grounds superintendent Dona/d James. The park and its sports complex are so popular, and the community is so committed to it, that there's a major expansion underway. The new addition will include four more baseball diamonds, two more soccer fields, two football fields and an Athletics Walk of Fame. "Time is the most valuable resource we have because there's such a demand on the facilities," James says. "I need people and equipment I -~ ~ „" ~, r can count on. And I .~,~.~ a ~~ ~. have both." ~ . ~x~~?'« James relies heavily +~ ~ ~ rte' ~ _. ~ on Tina Kimball, the ~:, . ~~` :, g..~. ~ . s . ,~ - ' ' sports field crew ~;~,}y ,. , ~,u,-:~ ~ ~ chief. She's been rk ith th ~,,. ~l s~ ' e pa s w department since `~ ~~ ~ ~,_ 1995 and has gradu ~ _ ~~; ~_ ~eti.~ ally taken charge "That's the kind of :. ~` dedication we have ~ ~ m here," James says, "and it shows in the way the she does the job, the way the others respond to her, and the way the fields look every day." Sharing that same level of commitment is another long-time employee, Paula Nunnery. "She's my right and left hand," Kimball says, "I couldn't ask for anyone better." Demanding Schedule With the fields active 10 months a year, there's always something on the schedule for the crew. Fields are mowed at 1-inch every other day, and fertilized once a month with the blend of the fertilizer determined by soil tests. Each fall the 21 acres of Tiftway 419 Bermuda grass is overseeded with a blend of perennial rye grass and starter fertilizer, and each spring they're topdressed with silica sand after an aggressive aeration -one of four aeration steps to help reduce compaction. Fields are also laser leveled about once a year. "Depending on the rain we get, we use the laser leveling to reduce low spots and that can cut the number of rained out games," James points out. One of the real pluses in recent years has been upgrading the park's five miles of irrigation lines and more than 1,500 sprinkler heads. "It wasn't too long ago that we had an exceptional set of fields that were plumbed like an out- house," recalls Kimball of the old system. The system uses non-potable, reclaimed water or water from the near- • ;~ a ,~ ~r~ r Wit` r+a: ~~~ ~~.._~ ,~_, by lake. ~~r"" ` Reliability counts James is quick to point out that with nearly 900 baseball games, 400 softball his comp/ex wi// soon more than doub/e in size. Construction of the new fie/ds is a/ready underway. games and more than 1,300 soccer games played on his fields in 10 months, he has to have machines he can count on. "John Deere equipment is reliable antl we can count on our local distributor to get us parts or extra equip- ment when we need it," he says. The Central Winds fleet includes a 1600 turbo wide area mower (WAM-; a Pro Gator with heavy duty 200 spray rig, foam markers and enclosed cab; two 54-inch commercial walk- behind mowers; a 220 walk-behind greens mower just for striping the infields; a Trail Gator utility vehicle and a utility trailer for the greens mower; a 4300 tractor with a selection of attachments; a 1200A field rake; a 6-year- ~~'i c ` ~.e ~~ 4 old 3235 lightweight mower; and a new 32356 lightweight mower. "When it comes to reliable equipment, the 3235 is a great example. It's six years old and not much too look at, but when we need it it's always ready to go,"James points out. "The WAM may be the most versatile piece we own," he adds. "We call on it to do a lot of different things around the park and it's never let us down." "The entire lineup has never let us down. These machines are cost-effective and reliable," he concludes. ~, /nfie/ders are fussy and the 1200A field rake and the 220 wa/k-behind greens mower keep them happy. Pau/a Nunnery has made an art of infie/d work on the 1200A, .. _---i----_- ,~-~ - ~/ ,_ j r-Y ,- ~: .t. ~• w, . ~w STARTING TURF? MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE Whether you're setting up a new field, renovating or making repairs, you have options when establishing turf. Each has its pros and cons. Each project has a laundry list of factors that must be considered. Here are afew - you can probably come up with some of your own, too -that, when considered up-front, can save time and money. Weigh the factors Give yourself a score for each deciding factor - 1 the lowest, 3 the highest. For example, if timing is the critical element, mark a 3 under sod and give the others a 1 or no score. Once you're done, tally the results and you'll see which installation method might be best suited for your project. This isn't science, it's food for thought, but it can help outline some of the "little things" that can make or break a budget. . ~ f r .T _ '~s '^. A ~s ~ ~ ~. ` ,,,~s. J'~' -_. ual:. r srb. - ~ , .tar Time of year ~cied `w '.inter or summer Not recommended for winter or summer Year-round installation possible even on frozen to install best in fall, or spring best in fall, or spring ground if sod is available. 123 123 123 Soil Preparation Same for all installations: deeply till soil, add Same for all installations: deeply till soil, add Same for all installations: deeply till soil, add amendments and fertilizers, grade, level and smooth amendments and fertilizers, grade, level and smooth amendments and fertilizers, grade, level and smooth surface. Remove debris, lightly pack and moisten. surface. Remove debris, lightly pack and moisten. surface. Remove debris, lightly pack and moisten. 123 123 123 Water Requirements Weed Control Uniform Coverage Runoff/Erosion Visual Impact Useability Installation Costs TOTAL SCORE: Highest water needs. Bare soil will dry quickly. Moderate to high need. Mulch will preserve Extremely variable. Based on germination rates, Extremely variable. Based on germination rates, weed content, etc. weed content, etc. 123 123 Water lightly for 3-4 weeks. Keep surface moist. some moisture. 123 123 Multiple applications of chemicals usually required to Multiple applications of chemicals usually required to combat competitive weeds until turf is established. combat competitive weeds until turf is established. 123 123 Varieties, rates and germination times, wash-outs (erosionl,traffic and pests can create spottiness. 123 Heavy rains or slopes can cause seed, chemicals and silt to wash away. Little or no protection. Mulch may reduce some problems. 123 Rough texture and open soil. 123 Varieties, rates and germination times, wash-outs (erosionl, traffic and pests can create spottiness. 1 2 3 Heavy rains or slopes can cause seed, chemicals and silt to wash away. Little or no protection. Mulch may reduce some problems. 123 Rough texture and open soil. 1 2 3 Lowest water needs. Water at installation to a depth of 6 inches, then water lightly for 2-3 weeks. 123 Typically highest quality available, certified, elite seed. May be certified to specific variety. 123 Minimal, if any immediate use of chemical control needed for weeds. 123 99% to 100% uniformity with use of mature =sod. 123 Capable of handling heavy rains without excessive erosion or damage. 123 Immediate look of complete and mature turf area. 123 Low traffic use 2-4 months after seeding with faster Low traffic use 2-4 months after seeding with faster Low traffic immediately. germinating seed. Normal high use after first year. germinating seed. Normal high use after first year. Normal, high traffic uses within 2 to 3 week. 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 Lowest cost. 123 Higher management and maintenance costs, compounded by added water and chemical applications and delay of use, poor uniformity, and lack of visual appeal are trade-offs for lower installation costs. 123 Seeding = `a, Low to mid-range cost. 123 Nigher management and maintenance costs, compounded by added water and chemical applications and delay of use, poor uniformity, and Zack of visual appeal are trade-offs for lower installation costs. 123 Hydroseeding = Highest cost. 123 Installation costs offset by added values of timing, useability, uniformity and visual appeal. Reduced maintenance, chemical and water costs. 123 Sodding = - ,- , , DROUGHT COMES AND GOB' S DEMAND FOR WATER IS CONSISTENT Rain is a free, renewable resource, but it isn't always reliable. Most irrigation water isn't as renewable, nor is it free. And, Mother Nature can be terribly fickle. In parts of the Eastern United States, for example, how to get the water off the field has been the major concern where draught and watering restrictions were tight just a year ago. Washington D. C. had rain every day for a month, Georgia faced severe restrictions in 2002 and was more than a foot of rain above normal in early June, and Tennessee was threatened with mud slides and floods, just for starters. When the draught hits... Drought is defined simply as a prolonged period of dry weather. How you define "dry" and "prolonged" depends on your point of view - and region of the country. One thing's for sure, a drought is in your future. When water becomes limited, reducing waste is crucial. Here are a few basic, but often overlooked suggestions: • Check all irrigation systems for leaks and cap sprinkler heads in non-priority areas. • Wash down equipment using a bucket rather than ahose - if you do use a hose make sure it's equipped with a shutoff nozzle so water isn't lost while moving around, etc. • Use the sprinkler system settings that achieve the lowest evapotranspoiration (ET) rate possible -consider watering really early in the morning when ET rates are lowest. Research in semiarid areas has shown that watering frequently and lightly can be more beneficial than a few deep irrigations. The latest in computerized irrigation systems can monitor the weather and base irrigation sched- ules on conditions and forecasts -nothings more embarrassing than having your sprinklers going in the rain, especially when there's a drought condition. Since your watering practices are very visible to the public, it's important to do whatever you can to deflect the idea that you're "wasting water." Potential ET Rates Warm Dry 0.20 - 0.25 Hot Humid 0.20 - 0.30 Hot Dry ................................................ 0.30 - 0.40 ...................................................... Evaluate your irrigation so you provide the proper amount of water your plants need, at the right time to minimize waste. The ideal program keeps the root areas of plants properly moist. The amount of water necessary for any plant is determined by the sum of the amount of moisture lost each day at the soil's surface and the amount lost from each plant. ,~, LEASE STRETCHES BUDGET FOR SMALL MARKET FRANCHISE Mobile BayBears put major league equipment to work When you stretch a single to a double, or a double to a triple, you weigh the risk and make a split-second decision. It can be a game-win- ning decision. When the Mobile BayBears baseball club decided to stretch its equipment budget by working with John Deere Credit, it wasn't a split-second decision, but it was a winner. The BayBears, an AA affiliate of the San Diego Padres, are a small market team drawing a fan base from throughout an area spanning a 90- mile radius, according to assistant general manager for facilities operations and head groundskeeper Pat White. Their 7-year-old Hank Aaron Stadium, named for the Mobile native and Home Run King, hosts 72 BayBears' home games, the annual Hank Aaron and Satchel Page high school baseball tourna- ments, the annual Willie McCovey Challenge and the Billy Williams Showdown for college baseball teams, and an assortment of concerts and non-sports events. The BayBears hosted the 1999 AA All-Star Game and the 1998 Southern League All-Star game. Keeping the playing field in top condition includes the usual set of challenges. Affording major league equipment for a minor league franchise is a challenge in itself. Stretching their dollars "We began working with John Deere in 1996, and have had an excellent relationship," White advises. "In recent years we've worked with GOING WITH JOHN DEERE CREDITS LEASING OPTIONS WASN~T A SPLIT-SECOND DECISION, BUT IT HAS PROVEN TO BE A WINNER John Deere Credit on a lease program. The lease allows us to stretch our dollars and get more equipment with less cash directly out of pocket." The newest addition to the line up is a diesel- powered 2653A reel mower. "I can't imagine a better machine for what we do," White says, "We went with the diesel model this time because we expect to get a longer life from the diesel -although we're using agas-powered model and it's still going strong after six years, so I don't know how much more you can ask for' he adds. A 220 walk-behind mower is dedicated to keeping the infield grass groomed, while a 1200A field rake with a special ballpark package of attachments is assigned to the skinned portion of the infield, the warning track and other non-turf areas. There's also a hard- working Gator utility vehicle that White and he staff depend upon. "I don't think there's a better machine out there than the Gator," he grins. ;_ r ~~~~ WHEN YOU~RE RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING THE STAGE FOR EVERY GAME, YOU NEED A PARTNER YOU CAN COUNT ON. _~_ ~._: `°"`~ For every job on your field, there's a John Deere made especially for it. A full- ~~~ ~ ~ ~F. `` line of uali a ui ment, born out of the su estions and criti ues of s orts ~ ~.,~ .;.~, -'~ , ~w~ q tY q P 99 q p --~ ~-- turf managers and their crews. From quality mowers and tractors to aerators ~~ _-- - ~ .~_ and utility vehicles. But it doesn't end there. We follow it up with the industry's best operator manuals, tech literature, and support hotline. We deliver quality parts 365 days a year, with a 99.5% fill-rate overnight. And we offer the JDCfM MasterLease, the most cost-effective way to acquire turf equipment. For more on how John Deere can make a difference on your field, call your local John Deere distributor or 1-800-537-8233. NOTHING RUNS LIKE A DEERE® JOHN DEERE Gator utility vehicles log first decade More than 10 years ago, the Gator utility vehicle was born of a need for a lightweight, turf friendly workhorse. "First introduced in 1992, the Gator utility vehicles have been widely accepted and their popularity has grown steadily," explains Utility Vehicle Group Brand Marketing Manager David Thorne. The Gator vehicles have evolved through a series of incarnations from four-wheel ver- sions through six-wheel, four-wheel-drive models. The original John Deere green paint job is still the standard, but there have been some variations there, too. There's a military version with an olive drab paint scheme. And the Trail Gator, designed mostly for outdoor recreation, is also the subdued green. There's a role for the Gator vehicles in almost any setting. Recently they've appeared in the background of sports coverage at the training site for the U.S. national women's soccer team; and hardly a weekend goes by during the football season that one's not spotted on the sidelines somewhere. The Gator line of vehicles makes an impression on owners, but not on the ground, and that's one of its best features, according to Thorne. "These vehicles tread lightly on highly managed turf," he says. "The standard high-floatation tires minimize ground compaction while improving traction in mud, and they flex over bumps for a smoother ride. The Gator has a footprint of less than 7.5 psi of pressure, and that's less than the average size human foot. "Couple this stance with a low center of gravity and economical operation and you have a safe and turf-friendly machine," he adds. Standard Gator vehicles are available with gasoline or diesel engines, and the new E- ~, The Turf Gator has w raised the bar. The benchmark is the Gator 9 x 2. Trail Gators go off the beaten track. Like its namesake, this diesel-powered' 6-wheeler takes or ~~~ ., all terrain -- - Official Galf Caurse Equipment Supplier Sports (~ f b7anagcrs :lssocia[iun '~ MEMBER JD Sidelines is published by John Deere Golf & Turf Products. 2000 John Deere Run, Cary, NC 27513 919-804-2438 • ©2003 John Deere Inc. ~, Printed in the U.S. lirewithit n t~ printed on recycled paper Gator reporting for r ~, - duty, sir! The new ~ military model. ':®b Gator makes about as much noise as its name- sake thanks to its electric powerplant. The most recent addition to the family tree is the Pro Gator. It's bigger, stronger and ready to take on a whole new set of challenges. With a variety of hard-working accessories and attachments -from the unique MedBed that makes the Gator a first response vehicle for sports events, to sprayers, spreaders and topdressing units -the whole line can be customized to fit the job at hand. "John Deere's reputation for high quality products, and its readily available service and support around the world has opened a lot of doors for these vehicles," Thorne concludes. "Our international network of distributors provides unparalleled service and parts support so that our customers face the least amount of down time possible." Players won't even hear the -- E-Gator coming. Pro Gator takes on the really big jobs. Presort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Permit No 2483 Raleigh N.C.