Stormwater Management Urged In Wake Of Hurricane Helene
Turf Editors
Phoenix Elementary School Wins “Our Winning Green Space” Contest
When Maxine O. Bush Elementary School Principal Leslie Saulsby learned about the Project EverGreen “Our Winning Green Space” contest, he decided to enter but never thought he had a chance of winning. His response upon receiving a phone call with the news that his school had won was “I’m shocked!” As the contest winner, the Phoenix, AZ school received an Exmark Lazer Z X-Series 60-inch riding mower and 30-inch walk-behind mower that will help maintain the school district’s athletic fields and grounds helping to create safer playing fields, as well as an athletic field make-over. The mower package – donated by Exmark and delivered to the school grounds by the local Horizon distributor – includes commercial grade mowers that the school will keep, even beyond the renovation. The school’s athletic and recreation fields were barely usable and presented a safety issue due to an aging and damaged irrigation system, drainage, and seeding that resulted in uneven playing surface that was dotted with bald spots, rocks, and weeds. As a result, the 400-student school – kindergarten through 8th grade – was unable to use the fields for recess, physical education classes, or after-school sports, according to Saulsby, a former athletic director. “This meant our students have half of the athletic opportunities that other students at nearby schools,” said Saulsby. “The fields are a hinderance to having a proper PE and health curriculum as well as having a usable space for recess and activities which are essential to the individual student ...
It’s Time To Enter The 2020 “Our Winning Green Space” Contest!
For the fourth year, industry leaders Project EverGreen, Exmark Manufacturing, the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA), and The Foundation for Safer Athletic Fields for Everyone (SAFE) have joined forces for the 2020 “Our Winning Green Space” contest. Municipal parks and recreation departments, public works departments, and non-profit agencies may enter the contest for a chance at winning a top-of-the-line Exmark commercial mower package valued at approximately $15,000 and a GreenCare for Communities green space improvement project. The makeover will take place in 2021. Each nomination requires an essay and photos explaining why the community is deserving of a new mower and makeover to the designated park or green-space play area. The essay must explain how the prize will assist in maintaining a healthier and safer park, playing field or public green space for the community to enjoy. Submissions may be entered at ProjectEverGreen until November 30, 2020. “Project EverGreen is thrilled to partner with Exmark and STMA on this opportunity to raise awareness of our GreenCare for Communities initiative and the importance of safe, natural grass play fields for kids,” says Cindy Code, Project EverGreen executive director. “It’s also a fun opportunity for cities to share their story and compete for a green space makeover.” Jimmy Simpson, Certified Sports Field Manager and STMA Board President also views the contest as a way to educate the public on the importance of safe athletic fields. “Parents, athletes and community members at large must serve as advocates on behalf of all sports ...
STMA Offers Free Six-Month Guest Membership
To provide guidance on how best to maintain sports fields safely during and after this crisis, the Sports Turf Managers Association, or STMA, is waiving its standard registration fee, to offer a six-month guest membership. Guest members may utilize the association’s educational material on its Web site, including the Route to Recovery guide, introduced on May 5. The guide is the result of work done by the STMA Recovery Task Force created to help sports field managers respond to the challenges regarding COVID-19. Highlights of the Route to Recovery special edition include: A video message from STMA President Jimmy Simpson, CSFM An open letter to government leaders Q&A with Dr. Grady Miller Feature story: Field Management after COVID-19 Route to Recovery infographic Resources page with links to helpful sites Also included with guest membership is The Institute – the industry’s hub promoting field safety and the sports field profession. From technical instruction covering natural turfgrass and synthetic surfaces to professional development and management resources, The Institute provides a collection of reports covering all aspects of operations. STMA is a non-profit, professional association for managers of outdoor sports fields worldwide. Since 1981, STMA has been providing education and practical knowledge in the art and science of sports field management. The single goal of its more than 2,600 members is to manage sports field playing surfaces to the safest level possible.
STMA Volunteers & Project EverGreen Refurbish Florida Softball Field
Project EverGreen, the national nonprofit devoted to creating a greener, healthier, cooler Earth, the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA), the City of West Palm Beach Parks & Recreation Department, and local volunteers teamed up last week at Howard Park in West Palm Beach, FL to give the 13-acre park’s softball field a makeover. The heavily-used field needed a renovation and enhancements to enable it to become a safe, sustainable playing surface and keep it a vibrant part of the community. Volunteers — including sports field managers, lawn care professionals, landscape contractor, and groundskeepers — assisted with the transformation valued at more than $50,000. STMA supported the renovation project by having more than 70 professional sport turf managers on site. “We were thrilled to be a part of this important project and bring a well-managed and playable ballpark to a deserving community,” says Kim Heck, CAE, CEO of the STMA. “To use our professional expertise and know-how and bring a plan like this to life is a win-win for everyone.” West Palm Beach Director of Parks and Recreation Leah Rockwell says the renovation project is a wonderful opportunity for the city, Howard Park, and park patrons. “Our staff had a wonderful opportunity to work alongside these highly experienced sports turf maintenance professionals, and their sharing of knowledge and tricks of the trade is immeasurable,” adds Rockwell. The scope of the project included: Leveling and refurbishing the existing softball infield. Refurbishing the warning track. Laying of new grass edges along the 1st ...
Virginia School District Wins “Our Winning Green Space” Contest
Logan Horne, a professional turf manager with the Louisa County School District in Virginia, didn’t think he had a chance of winning when he entered the “Our Winning Green Space” contest. But he was wrong. Sponsored by Project EverGreen in partnership with Exmark Manufacturing, the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) and The Foundation for Safer Athletic Fields for Everyone (SAFE), the contest awarded Horne’s school district an Exmark Lazer Z X-Series mower package earlier this month and will receive an athletic field renovation. The award will help maintain the school district’s athletic fields and grounds, and create safer playing fields. “Louisa residents and the neighborhood are the real winners,” says Cindy Code, executive director of Project Evergreen, a non-profit whose GreenCare for Communities renovation projects have revitalized more than 1 million sq. ft. of athletic and recreational greens spaces in numerous U.S. cities. “Healthy and safe sports fields breathe new life into the environment and functions as the lungs of the community. Project EverGreen and our partners at STMA and Exmark were impressed with the quality of the application and the passion of Horne.” The school district is located in central Virginia at the crossroads between Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Charlottesville. Horne returned to his hometown of Mineral, VA, to teach turf management at Louisa County H.S. and oversee the care and maintenance of the district’s athletic fields and grounds. The school district includes a high school, middle school and five elementary schools, and the grounds and fields are used by ...
Project EverGreen: Swinging For The Fences For Kids
Project EverGreen, the national nonprofit devoted to creating a greener, healthier, cooler Earth; the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA), the city of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, local businesses and residents teamed up on January 21 at the half-a-century old Lindo Park in South Phoenix, AZ to give the 22-acre park something the community has always wanted: a real ball field. Volunteers including sports field managers, lawn care professionals, landscape contractors, groundskeepers and neighborhood youth assisted with the transformation that had an estimated value in excess of $50,000. The project included: Surveying the field to determine existing and proposed elevations for the playing surface. Laying out new grass edges along 1st and 3rd base lines. Re-inspecting and adjusting the irrigation system to insure proper coverage in the outfield. Fertilizing and silting seed for the outfield turf – nearly 60,000-square-feet. Laying out and rebuilding the pitcher’s mound and installing a new pitching rubber. Laying out and rebuilding the batter’s boxes/catcher’s box and installing a new home plate. Grading the infield surface to cut high areas and fill low areas. Installing sod to repair areas of damaged turf. “Neighborhoods deserve a healthy park or community green space that they can call their own,” says Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. “Thriving parks create a community hub for neighbors – young and old – to connect and helps to instill pride in their community and confidence in area residents, and creates a place for adults and youth to exercise and have fun.” ...
