March 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 67

Water Play, Yo ur Wa y
You'll be amazed at our versatility.
ARC stands apart from the rest by offering
both stainless steel and fiberglass construction.
Jason melton of the henrico county division of Parks and
Recreation operates an aerator.

stewardship aspects of field management. Lexington recently
built a new maintenance building with a green roof, featuring
water collection points. " We use that rain water for our truck
wash bay. We also use that collected water for our tank truck if
we have to go and water flower beds, traffic islands, and trees
that we've planted, " Pinsonneault says. The larger central storage space in the new building also provides long-term cost
savings by allowing fertilizer, drying agents, line markers, and
other items to be purchased in bulk.
In this era of budget cutting, a variety of strategies can help
maintain good playing field conditions without breaking the
bank. Henderson is using a growth regulating spray that inhibits the cell elongation of grass, saving fuel and labor through a
reduced mowing frequency. Pinsonneault has developed more
efficient mowing schedules, engaged the help of volunteers in
holding clean-up events for a five-mile bike path, and learned
how to share resources with other local government divisions
or even other cities.
" We have a municipal golf course in town and we contract
out the maintenance, " Pinsonneault says. " We're able to work
with that company and if they have a specific piece of equipment that's not worth it for us to buy, then we can go ahead and
borrow it. And then if they need to borrow a dump truck or
something like that, then we can reciprocate. " He is also exploring partnering with other local Massachusetts communities
to share in the purchase of equipment, such as an expensive
but necessary deep-tine aerator, and then develop a schedule
to share it.
" I think it is important to be involved in organizations like
NRPA and STMA, " Pinsonneault concludes. " It helps with networking and being aware of what's out there-just being able
to pick up the phone and call somebody or go to a website for a
resource. "
®

High- and low-flow structures * Custom themes * Interchangeable designs
Eco-friendly systems * Complete project support

Aquatic Recreation Company

6500 Carlson Drive | Eden Prairie, MN 55346
877-632-0503 | www.arc4waterplay.com
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March 2011 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2011 - Parks & Recreation