PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS: Turf Grass and Lawns

Click on a project below or scroll down the page for information and photos of turf grass and lawn projects, including sports fields, golf courses, and parks & recreation areas:

FORAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC FIELDS, Milford, CT

FRESH POND RESERVATION, Cambridge, MA

HARTNEY GREYMOUNT LANDSCAPING PROJECT, Cape Cod, MA

ISLAND GREEN COUNTRY CLUB, Philadelphia, PA

MORAVIAN COLLEGE, Bethlehem, PA

MORRISTOWN BEARD SCHOOL, Morristown, NJ

PEDDIE SCHOOL ATHLETIC FACILITIES, Hightstown, NJ

PENNINGTON PARK, Delanco, NJ

TEDDY EBERSOL'S RED SOX SPORTS FIELDS, Boston, MA

TOURNAMENT PLAYERS CLUB, Cromwell, CT

TRUMP NATIONAL GOLF CLUB, Bedminster, NJ


Agresoil Compost™ made in Fairfield, Connecticut, was used to amend soils for athletic fields located at the Foran High School in Milford, CT. Compost was shipped directly to the job site where it was mixed with sand and on-site soil to prepare a root zone mix for the new fields.

The compost (used at about 20% by volume) was used to increase soil organic matter and provide nutrients. Fairfield compost is an ideal amendment for construction of athletic fields. Because of the “woody texture,” the compost adds organic matter while maintaining the necessary hydraulic conductivity for good drainage.

The project was performed by CJ Fucci Contractors in accordance with the design specifications prepared by Westcott & Mapes Architects.

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The Fresh Pond Reservation consists of 162 acres of open space, surrounding and protecting the 155-acre Fresh Pond Reservoir, which is part of the drinking water supply system for the City of Cambridge. Much of the soil in the northeast sector of the reservation has been degraded over time due to changes in the local environment and from overuse. Some areas were used for dumping fill from construction projects, contributing to less-than-desirable soil characteristics and poorly functioning soils with little porosity.


(left) Shrubs in new soil under green
fiber erosion control matrix.

Soil consultants Pine & Swallow Associates were hired by landscape architects Carol Johnson Associates to design seven different soil types that would optimize water holding while maintaining adequate drainage over time in different areas of the Reservation. Recognizing the challenge of making soils to specification, Emanouil Bros., the landscape contractor on the project, subcontracted with Agresource and with Read Custom Soils to make the mixes. Together, the two companies combined their resources to mix on-site soil with sand and compost to meet strict specification requirements as well as handle the entire submittal and approval process on a tight schedule.    (right) Plantings established in new soil.

Specialty soils made on the project site included a Marsh Basin Mix, Wet Meadow Mix, Meadow Mix, Lawn Mix, Sports Field Mix, Backfill Mix, and Garden Mix. These custom made soils will provide for thriving plant material while protecting local natural resources for a long time to come.



(left) Wet meadow mix is spread.

(right) Sports field mix is ready to be spread.





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After a single topdressing with AGRESOIL COMPOST™, Hartney Greymount Landscaping completely revived a lawn that previously had 2% organic matter content and would not hold fertilizer applications or respond to irrigation. (See picture at left.) As a result of topdressing, increased soil organic matter content and cation exchange capacity provided for improved soil water holding and nutrient uptake by turfgrass. (See picture at right.)


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ISLAND GREEN COUNTRY CLUB
Philadelphia, PA

Island Green Country Club is the first newly built Philadelphia area daily-fee course in over 50 years. Located on a site which once housed five structures and an airstrip for the Budd Company (a train and airplane manufacturing plant), Island Green Country Club offers the public an 18-hole regulation length James B. Associates (Quakertown, PA) designed course as well as a 72-tee driving range.

The tees and greens at this course were constructed with a rootzone mix that included 80% USGA specific sand and 20% AllGro™ biosolids compost from the Burlington County Co-Compost Facility in Columbus, NJ. The addition of AllGro™ to the rootzone mix was chosen due to its consistency, high organic matter content and proven track record as an organic amendment in golf green construction.

Utilizing AllGro™ as an organic amendment provides additional benefits traditional soil amendments, such as peat, cannot supply. These benefits include the addition of beneficial microbes and available nutrients. These essential elements aid in the development of a soil system that will promote healthy turfgrass growth in high maintenance areas.


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MORAVIAN COLLEGE
Bethlehem, PA

Moravian College provided this area for Musicfest concerts throughout the 2002 summer season. This took a toll on the turf grass and caused the soil to become compacted. A renovation project that consisted of aeration, over-seeding, and topdressing with Agresoil Compost™ relieved the compaction problem and revitalized the turf.











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MORRISTOWN BEARD SCHOOL
Morristown, NJ

New turf grass was established in the summer of 2002 at the Morristown Beard School. During construction, a two-inch layer of Agresoil Compost™ was spread over the entire area and a rotodarien machine was used to incorporate the compost into the soil.

Northern Nurseries 06/40 Tri/Blue seed was used and the results were remarkable, particularly given the extremely dry conditions and not having irrigation. Bob Revello, the facility manager was very pleased with the results.


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PEDDIE SCHOOL ATHLETIC FACILITIES
Hightstown, NJ

Peddie School, located in Highstown, NJ, is one of the northeast’s most prestigious private high schools. Bordering Peddie Lake, the school’s campus features 230 acres landscaped with trees, lawns and athletic fields.

In the Fall of 2004, renovations began on the school’s athletic fields which include a softball field; four soccer fields; three lacrosse fields; and a field hockey field. During the first phase of renovations in September of 2004, 600 cubic yards of AllGro™ biosolids compost was delivered directly to the school where it was mixed with sand and on-site soil to prepare a new rootzone mix for the fields; the second phase, completed in August of 2006, utilized 1,300 cubic yards of AllGro™ in the same manner.














AllGro™ was chosen for this project because of its ability to increase soil organic matter and provide nutrients. These elements aid in the development of a soil system that will promote healthy turfgrass growth in high maintenance areas.


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PENNINGTON PARK
Delanco, NJ

Encompassing 140 acres and views of the Rancocas Creek, Pennington Park provides outdoor recreation and environmental education. The park features forests, wetlands, a tidal pond and marshland, a creek shoreline, meadows and observation blinds to view wildlife and birdlife.

In addition to over two miles of marked trails for hiking and biking, visitors can also enjoy a traditional park setting with green areas and picnic tables.

Pennington Park was constructed in the Fall of 2005 and utilized 2,000 cubic yards of AllGro™ biosolids compost to create a topsoil/rootzone mix that would allow for sustained growth of grass in the green areas and meadows. AllGro™ was trucked directly to the park and tilled into the existing soil to create this topsoil/rootzone mix which is high in organic matter and nutrients. In the Fall of 2007, an additional 500 cubic yards of AllGro™ was utilized for landscaping areas.

Utilizing AllGro™ as an organic amendment provides additional benefits traditional soil amendments, such as peat, cannot supply. These benefits include the addition of beneficial microbes and available nutrients. These essential elements aid in the development of a soil system that will promote healthy turfgrass growth in high maintenance areas.


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TEDDY EBERSOL'S RED SOX SPORTS FIELDS
Boston, MA

In the fall of 2005, general landscape contractor Argus Construction hired Agresource to make a sports field root zone mix for multi-sport playing fields in Boston, MA.

Geller Associates designed the project and took an environmentally sustainable approach by utilizing and amending all available on-site soil to produce a quality sports field root zone.

Agresource imported high-quality Agresoil Compost™ made in Merrimack, NH, and carefully chosen sand. Together, these were used to amend the on-site soil and successfully meet specification requirements for a fast-draining and compaction-resistant sports field root zone.


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TOURNAMENT PLAYERS CLUB
Cromwell, CT

Thomas Degrandi, Superintendent of Golf Course Maintenance, uses Agresoil Compost™ made in Farmington, CT, mixed with USGA sand to improve the quality of soil in the root zone for his nursery green. Incorporating compost that contains high levels of microbial life and stable organic matter within the soil profile provides the elements necessary to develop an aggressive root system and healthy turf. The sod is cut from the nursery green and used to repair greens, tees, and fairways.

He then maintains the course by top dressing with Agre-Start & Finish Organic Fertilizer every spring and fall. Agre-Start & Finish Organic Fertilizer is 100% organic palletized, dehydrated, poultry manure that acts as a bio-stimulant. It feeds the bacteria and fungi, allowing them to grow around the root system of the turf grass. A well-developed biomass containing bacteria and fungi retains nutrients and defends turf from soil borne pathogens.

Agresoil Compost™ was also used to fortify turf that was stressed around bunkers. Superintendent Degrandi chose Agresoil Compost™ to improve soil in these areas to promote thicker turf and better rooting. Agresoil Compost™ adds vital organic, matter, beneficial microbes, and nutrients to make turfgrass healthier.






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TRUMP NATIONAL GOLF CLUB
Bedminster, NJ

The Trump National Golf Course located in Bedminster, NJ, which opened in September 2004, consists of an 18-hole course designed by Tom Fazio, one of the world’s best golf course architects. Also on site are practice facilities that include a three-tiered driving range; a short game facility with two practice greens; and six additional practice greens.

The tees and greens at this prestigious course were constructed with a rootzone mix that included 80% USGA specific sand and 20% AllGro™ biosolids compost from the Burlington County Co-Compost Facility in Columbus, NJ. The addition of AllGro™ to the rootzone mix was chosen due to its consistency, high organic matter content and proven track record as an organic amendment in golf green construction.

Utilizing AllGro™ as an organic amendment provides additional benefits traditional soil amendments, such as peat, cannot supply. These benefits include the addition of beneficial microbes and available nutrients. These essential elements aid in the development of a soil system that will promote healthy turfgrass growth in high maintenance areas.


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