AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
AGENDA DATE: May 23, 2017
DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DCM: Bryan Langley
SUBJECT
Title
Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding park turf maintenance and reforestation of parks.
Body
BACKGROUND
On April 4, 2017, Parks and Recreation received direction from City Council to provide details regarding mowing policies at the parks and how the mowing impacted tree regrowth in the parks. The resulting content is compiled and provided for that purpose.
The City of Denton hosts 32 parks, many with a mix of passive areas such as open spaces and walking trails; some with active areas such as trails and athletic fields. Denton parks are separated into five maintenance classifications, each defined as follows:
Class A: Public buildings, fire stations, parks. These areas have irrigated turf that is mowed a minimum of 32 cycles a year, weekly during the growing season.
Sports Class A: Athletic field turf is irrigated and mowed twice weekly during the growing season and weekly during off-season when it's over-seeded.
Class B: Most neighborhood parks and medians. The turf in these in these areas is usually non-irrigated and mowed a minimum of 20 cycles per year, every other week during the growing season.
Class C: Large open spaces and rights of way. Turf is mowed once monthly using large tractors with flail mower attachments.
Class D: Maintenance of natural, undeveloped areas. The perimeter of each area is mowed consistent with Code compliance, and a narrow path adjacent to trails is often mowed to prevent encroachment.
Most Class D areas are never mowed and one-half of the park inventory is comprised of acreage classified as Class D. This acreage remains in its natural state to promote natural reforestation, afford habitat for resident wildlife, and provide safe harbor for migrating birds.
EXHIBITS
1. Exhibit 1A and 1 B - Park Acreage by Maintenance Classification
2. Exhibit 2 - Class A and B
3....
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