Page 133 - parks-master-plan

134

bare root for use in landscape beds in City parks. The greenhouse also is used to over-winter tropical plans and tender perennials for use year after year. By growing the smaller plant material in the greenhouse, the

Horticulture staff can control the quality of the plants and schedule the growth so plants are ready for scheduled planting. Staff also can grow hard-to-find plants not normally available in local nurseries. These plants give the parks a sense of distinctiveness.

Hard / Soft Courts

Parks and Open Space is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of all hard and soft courts. Hard courts consist of tennis, basketball and tetherball courts. Soft courts consist of volleyball and bocce ball courts. All courts are kept free of debris and vandalism. Nets are in good condition and set to the proper playing height. All courts are inspected weekly as weather permits.

Invasive Plant Species

The City is in the early stages of developing and implementing an invasive plant management program. This will be used to evaluate and control the spread of invasive plant species while preserving existing native plants. The plan will focus on the least-compromised areas first to prevent invasive

species from gaining ground, and then move to the next-lowest volume site. This program will help staff manage parkland for biodiversity, protect high-quality natural areas and improve degraded areas.

Irrigation

The division is responsible for maintenance and upkeep of all City-owned and operated irrigation systems. All backflow systems are tested and certified each year in the spring by independent contractors. In spring and fall, all irrigation systems are inspected for needed repairs and adjustments. Repairs are made to each system on an as-needed basis.

Lightning Detection System

The primary purpose of the lighting detection system is to notify the public of potential lightning strikes during severe weather. The Grounds Maintenance staff is responsible for the testing and maintenance of the system, which is at the Dublin Justice Center. The system is programmed to operate from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week from March 15 to Nov. 10. Audible warning sirens are at Avery Park and Darree Fields, with the addition of Emerald Fields in 2008. The alarm system is triggered when a cloud-to-ground lighting strike occurs within a 10-25 mile radius of the Justice Center. The system is tested monthly