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Parks staff detail field maintenance, staffing gaps and infrastructure needs
Summary
Parks maintenance staff described turf management practices, staffing vacancies and recent vandalism and fire damage; city staff said the Parks Division budget is $12.3 million and urged stakeholders to report issues and participate in master-plan outreach.
City parks maintenance staff described current turf-care practices, the difference between sand-based and native-soil fields, and the staffing challenges that have affected consistency of maintenance across Santa Clara parks.
Dale Seale, Deputy Director for Parks and Recreation, presented a technical overview of field maintenance including mowing schedules, overseeding, aeration, soil treatments and pest monitoring. Seale explained that sand-based fields paired with Bermuda grass allow intensive drainage and upkeep, while native-soil fields require different grasses and less aggressive inputs. Staff also use gypsum on sand-based fields to manage salinity where recycled water is used, and they adjust fertilization rates and aeration frequency according to field type and usage.
Why it matters: Maintenance regimes and staffing levels determine how often parks can safely host practices and games. Staffing vacancies and retirements have reduced…
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