Articles
Maintenance Standards
The development of comprehensive maintenance standards is as important to you and your agency as a detailed business plan is to any commercial, for-profit enterprise. Unfortunately, like the much
Plan The Work, Work The Plan
EditorХs note: This article is part of an ongoing series about Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs aimed at minimizing, not eliminating, the use of pesticides on sports fields and other public p
Urban Sprawl -- Tips and Tricks
Urban sprawl happens, and it seems to happen quickly. Here in Chandler, Ariz., just outside Phoenix, the population is rocketing past 245,000 citizens and keeping all of us in parks and recreation
Know Thy ТNo-Mow ZonesУ
Islands of bright, native wildflowers add beauty, butterflies and wildlife in remote sections of public parks. Variegated bands of tall grasses provide privacy and contrast around carefully manicured
Staring Down Vandalism
Surprisingly, modern American cities and villages of the Early Roman Empire have something in common: they have been invaded by the same marauders, vandals.In the Roman Empire, thatХs Vandals with a c
Lighting The Path
Without proper outdoor lighting, the batter canХt see the ball. The lover trips on a rock and misses the kiss. Families donХt feel safe and visit less often. And the neighbors complain.Good lighting a
Wanted: Digital Kids
Each year, thousands of suitcase-toting campers are encouraged to turn off the televisions, video game consoles and computer screens that occupy much of their time during the school year, and return
Tree-Chopping Technology
Like many people who tend large acreage tracts, Alex Stout was looking for an easier way to manage 92, 274 acres in eastern Pennsylvania. Lackawanna State Park is an ideal environment for invasive
Know What A Utility Vehicle Can Do
ItХs not uncommon to see skid-steer, compact-track and mini-track loaders as well as compact tractors in a grounds-maintenance crewХs equipment fleet. But as utility vehicles become more versatile wit
Maintenance
As with most agencies throughout the country, the Douglas County Parks Trails and Building Grounds Division is continually asked to provide more with less (less money, less people, less time).
Going To The Dogs
Almost 40 percent of American families share their homes with a dog--73 million dogs in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Like children, once you have one, it is often easier to have two or
Moving Really Big Trees At Arrowhead Stadium
Digging and transplanting a half dozen tall shade trees on a summer day when the forecast calls for a high of 94 F is a scary move. ТNobody wants to take a risk like that unless they absolutely have t
Spring Ahead To Healthy Turf
If the goal is healthy, quality turf without the use of pesticides, implementing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program is a way to get the desired results. IPM programs have been used for
Your Calling?
According to Kim Uhlik, author of our monthly department titled ТManagerХs Toolbox,У a Job is what you do, a Profession is who you are, and a Calling is what you profess.If thatХs true, then the parks
Part 2 -- The Internal Distinction
In Part 1, the meaning of ТprofessionalУ was shown to vary from true believer to false prophet, and was explained as having three parts: discretionary risk (your programsХ safety-to-excitement ratio),
Put The Fun In Fundraising!
Step back in time, picture the dandelion-covered field next to the old school, and remember all the dodgeball games that were played. On the surface it was just a game; however, scores were settled
Golf Games
The word ТgolfУ is derived from the medieval Dutch language, where the word Тkolf,У or Тkolve,У simply meant Тclub.У It was passed to the Scots, whose dialect translated it into Тglove,У ТgowlУ or Тg
Over The Transom
The most recent Parks and Rec Business just landed on my desk, with the ТPublisherХs NoteУ from Rodney addressing continuous improvement. That is a subject that really resonates with me, and I owe him
Swimming Pool Chemical Technology Automation
The increasing awareness of recreational water illnesses has led to the prolific advancement and acceptance of swimming pool chemical treatment equipment. Today there is a wider acceptance of