new athletic field

[Keegan]

Has anyone ever installed a brand new athletic field using organic methods?

I manage fields at a small school and they just purchased some land that currently has buildings on it that they are going to build a regulation size soccer field. The contractor has been picked to build this field and the school wants me to be a consultant with the contractor.

Are there any major differences in building an athletic field vs a home lawn?
compost and lots of it I assume.

[ICT Bill]

Has anyone ever installed a brand new athletic field using organic methods?

I manage fields at a small school and they just purchased some land that currently has buildings on it that they are going to build a regulation size soccer field. The contractor has been picked to build this field and the school wants me to be a consultant with the contractor.

Are there any major differences in building an athletic field vs a home lawn?
compost and lots of it I assume.

YES!

Go here and look at some of the soil ratios that they recommend http://www.sustainablesites.org/

Think drainage and irrigation, big time, look at 100 year flood plain information and assume it will happen

or join us in Orlando at the STMA show, Sports Turf Managers Association http://www.stma.org/ in January

too much compost causes to much moisture which may cause too much turf disease if it cannot dry out

[phasthound]

Read Paul D. Sachs http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Managing-Healthy-Sports-Fields/Paul-D-Sachs/e/9780471472698/?itm=3
Contact Chip Osborne http://www.osborneorganics.com/

[foreplease]

Bill is right. I will add potential for compaction to his list, making soil type important to pay attention to and amend as needed. The more sandy the better and no heavy layer over top of it. If it is decided compost should be added I would make sure it is thoroughly tilled in – while you can.

There are huge major differences between home lawns and athletic fields. People will see that it is a new field and have high expectations without knowing the particulars of how much that needed to be done was able to be done. It has to be able to endure and recover from extreme use. Drainage, irrigation, and compaction (partial resistance to and plan for relief of) will set the table in the sense that a good synthetic or organic program can work. If drainage is not right the field will never be good.

What kind of use do you expect it to have? Practices and games or one or the other only? How many teams?

I would never agree to establishing a new field if restricted to organic methods only. That is not exactly what you said/asked, I realize. I would agree to listen to their concerns and agree to organic where practical or adequate.

[jmoore16135]

Check out your local chapters of the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA); New England STMA www.nestma.org and the New York Chapter www.stmony.org
You have a lot of sports turf knowledge in your area and you will find a lot of it within in these two chapters.

[Drew Gemma]

more and more we are managing athletic fields.

Plan for :

Drainage -proper crown, perimeter drainage, soil characteristics

Water - system types long term cost and durability plus managing cost of watering turf ( rain sensors and timers)

Play type and times of use throughout the season. (Side note on high school football field we have been seeding blue grass types that perform better in fall between the hash lines) majority of play their.

Also think about budget with this type of field more frequent fert apps at lite rates. Lots of aeration. Careful with sand it must be properly applied and the rates are determined by a million different factors.

All in all when it's done and lined up for play you need to be proud.

[foreplease]

I meant sandy soil (base) rather than topdressing.

I sure agree with your statement when it's done and lined up for play you need to be proud. With athletic fields I think I'm never done, I just stop working on it.

[ICT Bill]

I have spoken to many sports turf managers that come out before play and at half time and spread seed

The cleats are a great slit seeder