Wednesday 10 October, 2012
Local sports fields are green, lush and ready for summer sports following an intensive spring renovation program.
Tamworth Regional Council's parks and horticulture staff have been busy aerating, fertilizing and watering for the past few weeks to promote optimal grass growth.
Parks and Landscaping Technical Officer Bruce Wheatley said there is only a small window of opportunity to implement the renovation program on local playing fields.
'No sooner does the winter (sport) season end and the summer season starts,' he said.
'As soon as soccer and rugby league finish we start the spring renovations at No. 1 Oval, Gipps Street, Riverside and Plain Street sporting fields.
'This has involved the fertilising, spraying of broad leaf weeds and 'earth quaking' the fields. Earth quaking is a form of deep decompaction and aerating a sports field which allows water to penetrate to a greater depth and improves the condition of the turf surface.' About 15 hectares of playing fields have been renovated in recent weeks at a cost of about $30,000.
`The spring renovations are very important for the sporting fields as it allows the fields to recover from the winter sports and sets the turf up to grow well throughout spring and into summer, Mr Wheatley said.
`A good summer will mean they will go the distance the following winter.'
Kootingal Recreation Reserve has also undergone a spring renovation. It was aerated and top dressed with an organic material. 'There have been some really good results – it was looking rich and green with good initial growth in time for the dog show held on the October long weekend,' Mr Wheatley said.
Ongoing maintenance of the playing fields is expected to include spraying for summer weeds such as bindii in the coming months.
'Council's aim is to keep local playing fields in top condition all year to ensure they are available for the community's use for a range of sporting and other activities,' Mr Wheatley said.