This-N-That
Savannah Ballfield Gets A Little Help
Savannah, Ga.—Project EverGreen, members of the Sports Field Management Association (STMA), the Chatham County Parks & Recreation Department and local businesses teamed up in January at Mother Mathilda Beasley Park to give the park’s baseball field a $50,000 makeover which included:
Leveling and refurbishing the existing baseball infield.
Laying new sod edges along the infield after weeds and excess grass were removed.
Removing buildup of infield mix from the front of the backstop, player benches, and infield.
Grading the existing infield to cut high areas and fill low areas.
Installing 25 tons of new infield mix.
Grading the infield to meet the grass edges and to ensure efficient surface drainage.
Top dressing the infield with 40 bags of infield conditioner.
Laying out and rebuilding the pitcher’s mound and batter’s boxes/catcher’s box and installing a new home plate and pitching rubber.
Power washing the aluminum player benches, bleachers and concrete pad.
Repairing the fencing surrounding the field and on the backstop.
Since 2008, Project EverGreen has renovated more than 50 community parks and restored 150-million square feet of healthy turf across the country.
JLG Architects To Design Rice Lake Aquatics Center
Minneapolis, Minn.—JLG Architects has been awarded the design contract for the $11- to 13-million Rice Lake Aquatics Center planned by the nonprofit Rice Lake Aquatics and Recreation Center Inc. in Rice Lake, Wis. The contract was recommended by its Buildings and Grounds Committee and will be completed in a partnership with Rice Lake Area School District and the City of Rice Lake. JLG is launching a conceptual plan this spring that is slated to include both competitive and recreational pools, as well as locker rooms to accommodate teams, the general public, and families. The concept will also introduce a spectator viewing platform, classrooms, and a shared elevator with the existing Hilltop Elementary and Middle School.
USTA Partners With PlayCore
Orlando Fla./Chattanooga, Tenn.—The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is excited to announce a partnership with PlayCore, a play and recreation company, with the aim of positively impacting local communities through innovative tennis hubs.
As part of the partnership, the organizations will explore ways to introduce and share the excitement of tennis with young children on the playground, while also collaborating on new and innovative ways to collaborate with communities and to bring tennis hubs across the country. Additionally, both organizations have committed to using their respective research and assessment tools to identify areas that could benefit from increased recreation opportunities with a goal of creating healthier, more active communities.
STMA Undergoes Rebrand
The Sports Turf Managers Association is undergoing a major rebranding as Sports Field Management Association. Focused on inclusion, the rebrand ensures every person in the sports fields industry knows they are welcome to take advantage of the organization’s benefits regardless of job title, not just “managers.” Members gain access to unique educational opportunities on a variety of topics, grow their professional connections and learn the best practices to help them achieve their career goals. For more information, visit https://www.sportsfieldmanagement.org/.
Yellowstone #1 On TikTok
The team at ParkSleepFly analyzed the view counts on TikTok of national park hashtags in the U.S. (and around the world) to reveal the most popular national parks on the app. Researchers determined Yellowstone National Park is the most popular on the app.
Here are the Top 10 U.S. national parks on TikTok:
The national park in the U.S. (and the world) with the lowest number of views on TikTok is Kobuk Valley National Park in Alaska, with only 124 views.
To learn more, visit https://parksleepfly.com/blog/the-tiktok-national-park-index/.
Field Notes
Nevco Sports, LLC acquired Lynx System Developers, Inc., a sports technology data company based out of Haverhill, Mass. The acquisition of this product line includes photo-finish timing and results technology.
Cody Greene was hired by Ropes Park Equipment as Sales and Service Manager. He has an extensive background in the outdoor and adventure recreation industries, starting as a whitewater raft guide in Colorado. Most recently, he was Manager of Operations for Robertson Harness, where his responsibilities included sales, customer service, operations, and design. He has also been involved with ACCT for many years, including serving as Subcommittee Secretary for an ACCT task force.
Outdoor Water Solutions, Inc. acquired Air-O-Lator, a water and wastewater equipment manufacturing company located in Kansas City, Mo. Started in 2005, Outdoor Water Solutions, Inc. is recognized for their electric and solar bottom diffused aerators, electric and solar display fountains, microbes, dyes, docks, and more.
Colorado Yurt Company hired Joe Winkelmann as Director of Operations. He has more than 25 years of experience in operations and manufacturing leadership with companies such as Lawrence Fabric and Metal Structures, Fairway Holdings Inc., and Saint Louis Sewn. He specializes in manufacturing workflow innovation and efficiencies.
Tanto Irrigation, LLC hired Chase Cameron to its management team to oversee the service aspect of the business after spending the last 16 years as golf course superintendent at the country club of Waterbury in Connecticut.
Rain Bird Corporation appointed Michael L. Donoghue as its president and CEO. Donoghue succeeds CEO and Chairman Art Ludwick, who took on the interim role upon the passing of Rain Bird’s former president and CEO, Tony LaFetra, in January 2021. Ludwick will remain the Chairman of the Board, and Donoghue will become the newest member of Rain Bird’s Board of Directors.
The Toro Company acquired privately-held Intimidator Group, based in Batesville, Ark. The Intimidator Group designs and manufactures Spartan Mowers, a professional line of zero-turn mowers.
Indianapolis-based Schmidt Associates, a regional architecture, engineering, and interior design firm, has hired Elif Ekser as an architectural graduate. The Istanbul, Turkey, native hopes to obtain her architecture license and become registered in the State of Indiana.
Munro, a manufacturer of pumps, pump controls, and pump stations for the turf irrigation market, named Thomas Buck as its Inside Sales Representative. Thomas will work closely with the company’s Regional Account Managers and network of professional distributors, to provide support and further develop and enhance Munro’s current market presence.