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SOUTHWICK – The Parks and Recreation Commission is making a plan for turf improvements at Whalley Park.
The Commission met with Joe Wood of TruGreen this week who offered a report from his last application and a recommendation for the future.
Wood said there are thin, weak spots on several fields, including the back soccer field. The front soccer field is in better shape.
“It’s responded very well to treatment and parts of it are in really good shape,” said Wood. “There are almost no weeds or crabgrass.”
The softball field and one baseball field are both very spotty.
Wood said a second application of weed control was necessary.
“It would clean up 70-80-percent of the weed population and about 85-percent of the crabgrass,” he said.
Wood said all fields would benefit from seeding this fall.
Wood told the Commission if they provided the seed, he would apply it using a special wide tractor applicator.
“I would apply it at a highly reduced rate of $600 per acre,” said Wood.
Normally, seeding costs up to $1,800 per acre. Wood was not sure how many acres he would recommend at a minimum for seeding this week, but planned to give a written proposal and ost to the Commission.
Commissioner John Whalley asked if he could go to $500 per acre, but Wood said $600 was his rock-bottom cost.
“I want to help you out,” he said.
Wood said the hill at the entrance to the park could use seed as well, however he suggested a hand-pushed split spreader would provide the best application there.
Wood said helping create optimal playing fields was his goal.
“I’m looking to do a fantastic job restoring and renovating the fields,” he said.
