Aurora staff outline 2026 turf conversions, say program will save roughly 11 million gallons a year

City parks staff presented details of the 2026 turf‑conversion program and told the Parks, Recreation and Quality of Life Policy Committee that the multi‑year effort will conserve water while balancing recreation and tree preservation.

Nicole Inkeney, manager of planning, design and construction for PROS, said the conversions—done in coordination with Aurora Water and a federal water‑and‑energy grant—target a mix of warm‑season Bermuda (Tahoma 31) and native grass. "Conversion of existing irrigated bluegrass in 2026 will net us about almost 11 million gallons of water per year in savings," Inkeney said during the presentation.

Why it matters: The program is explicitly tied to drought response and Aurora Water demand management; staff stressed that communications, permitting and budget constraints shape site choice and timing. Inkeney said the department has converted 4.65 acres to Bermuda and more than 77 acres to native grass to date, and that 2026 targets are "a little over 7 acres to Bermuda and a little over 16 acres to native grass" (about 23.18 acres total).

Staff outlined the selection process and funding sources: some sites use general‑fund dollars, others rely on grant funds and county shareback funds (Arapahoe and Adams counties). The department checks capital improvement projects and utility schedules to avoid reworking areas soon to be disturbed by other city projects. Staff also review irrigation layouts and mature trees before finalizing conversions.

The presentation included maps for priority locations: the Aurora Municipal Center campus (Ward 3) has roughly 2+ acres of Bermuda and nearly 2 acres of native planned; smaller sites such as a soccer‑skills field, Parkland Park and Norfolk Glen Greenbelt were also described. Staff said Buckley Road medians (about 8+ acres from Alameda to Quincy) will be highly visible and may prompt resident calls while establishment is ongoing.

Technical details: Matt, the department’s turf specialist, described Tahoma 31 (a warm‑season Bermuda) as "a very dense grass" that spreads by rhizomes and stolons, fills in quickly during June–August and requires regular mowing to avoid an uneven surface. He noted Bermuda establishes later in spring and goes dormant earlier in fall than Kentucky bluegrass, which may shorten heavy recreation windows on converted fields.

Costs and timelines: Councilmember Curtis Gardner asked whether staff have a return‑on‑investment timeline comparing conversion costs to water savings. Staff said they do not have a ready ROI calculation and will provide an analysis later; they emphasized significant upfront costs and recommended weighing long‑term water‑supply value as part of the analysis.

Supply and installation: Staff described earlier trials (Park Lane sprigged; Highline sodded), explained that only a few certified growers supply Tahoma 31 sod in shoulder seasons, and said Tahoma 31 sod is more expensive per square foot than cool‑season turf. Staff suggested local growers may sell small amounts to residents and directed viewers to auroragov.org and the department's "Back to Our Roots" campaign pages for site lists, photos and schedules.

Next steps: Staff will follow up with a cost‑benefit / ROI analysis for council members and continue coordinating permits, communications and irrigation/tree preservation plans as conversions are scheduled.