With the Field of Dreams grading about to start, we can foresee a day soon with smoothed land, just a few work weekends away from becoming real athletic fields (in development). Gone will be the wild and neglected land of small hills and shrubs, and gone will be most of the well-trodden paths students use to cross into the school from the east. These paths are a much safer way to enter the school than along busy Madison and through the parking lot, so the question becomes how to preserve the students’ eastern access, while protecting the emerging grass we expect to see growing soon in the new fields?

Fences, monitors, and barricades have all been suggested, but this is an area that needs YOUR VOTE: the area just outside the north end of the track seems available, but how should it be set aside and marked?

Comment below on how you would like to see the balance achieved between the students’ eastern access and protected growing grass.

Or, if you prefer, send me your ideas: jhartley57@sbcglobal.net.

Or, best of all, come out on a weekend to pitch in, and share your ideas on site! http://www.bvfieldofdreams.org/2006/08/05/schedule-of-weekend-volunteer-days/

I had the pleasure of speaking with Ali Harivandi, PhD. from the University of California, Berkeley about what kind of grass to put in our new fields, and what it would take to maintain them. Dr. Harivandi is a nationally recognized expert in turf grass for sports fields.  He has authored numerous scientific papers on the subject of turf grass and is a highly sought after consultant to major league sports teams

The first comment  Dr. Harivandi made is that maintenance determines how long the turf cover lasts.  A regular maintenance schedule supplemented by close observation and remediation of problems will give the best result.  Due to the compaction of the soil during practice and play aeration of the field twice a year is essential.  A machine that removes plugs from the field and leaves the cores is best.  A less expensive method simply pokes holes in the ground and can actually increase the compaction of the dirt between the holes.  Renovation at the end of the play season should include aeration and seeding and possibly even rototilling.  Organic content is then improved by the addition of compost.  Seed can then be applied or sod if large bare areas need renovation.  The use pattern of the field is a key for allowing turf to recover.  Dr. Harivandi noted that most public facilities are “loved to death” through overuse.  The dramatic expansion of our sports fields should help us to cycle the fields through improved recovery times.

Selection of grass types depends on the sport and location.  Bermuda grass is the toughest against use and reestablishes itself easily.  I can attest to this fact from trying to remove this weed from my garden.  However Bermuda goes dormant in the winter and turns brown.  This makes its use for winter sports undesirable.  Softball, baseball and practice fields can use a turf type tall fescue (not dwarf which is used in residential applications) and should be mowed at 2”.  Soccer and field hockey may also use a turf type tall fescue but it cannot be mowed short.  If competition play requires mowing at 1” then a mixture of Kentucky blue and perennial rye grass gives the best playing surface.  Blue grass has the highest maintenance cost due to water, fertilizer and mowing costs.  Blue grass is a cool area grass and suffers increased susceptibility to disease in our hot and arid summers.

Recommendation for planting time is in late September or early October.  Addition of 2” of compost tilled 6” deep is advised.  Deeper tilling for fescue has a benefit as the roots can penetrate up to 36” deep.  Dr Harivandi said that the deeper the better to increase drainage, but many people do not go as deep because all the rocks that get pulled up are a problem for removal.  Fortunately that is not likely in our “Field of Dreams”.   Seed or sod can be obtained from local suppliers, as they will usually have the best cultivars or varieties for our area.  Additional information can be obtained from Dr. Harivandi or the UC Cooperative Extension in Sacramento County.
Larry Masuoka, UC Master Gardener

The Bella Vista Field of Dreams leadership team is mobilized and has won the support of the Bella Vista Booster Club, the Administration, and the Coaches in order to create:

• A new Varsity Soccer field that is the best in the league.

• A combined Field Hockey & Lacrosse field.

• New J.V. and Varsity Softball fields.

• Dedicated Band and Football Practice half-fields.

• A fully developed athletic site for the student-athletes, the school and the community.

For a full explanation of the scope and project plans, download our 17-page Field of Dreams Project Description.pdf.

Project Team Leadership:

Project Manager: Jim Hartley, PE
Jim is a registered Civil Engineer and a Program Manager for CH2M HILL. He has 24 years of experience, and until recently managed CH2M HILL’s local office (250 staff). Jim has been named a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers in recognition of his accomplishments. He is a dedicated community and school volunteer. He is a 16-yr resident of Fair Oaks, and his children will graduate from BVHS in ’07 and ’10.

Project Development Director: Dr. Larry Masuoka
Larry currently serves as the SJUSD Citizens Oversight Committee Measure S and J Co-chair (since 2001); and has also been Chair and a member of other community planning boards. In these capacities Larry was centrally involved in the BVHS all-weather track, and played a personal role in establishing a cell tower to help fund maintenance and repair of the track facilities. He is a 19-yr resident of Fair Oaks, and his daughters will graduate from BVHS in ’08, ’10, ’13 and ’15.

Project Architect: Mitch McAllister, AIA
Mitch is the President of California Design-West Architects, and the father of five BVHS graduates or graduates-to-be, all involved in athletics. His firm specializes in school athletic field development, including the Track & Field Complex at Sacramento State University. He has been personally involved in the Field of Dreams project since 2002.

Project Advisor: Clay Taft
Clay served as the BVHS Athletic Booster Club President in 1998-03 and was the Booster Club’s Project Manager in 2000-02 for the all-weather track development, an improvement valued at over $600,000 delivered through matched community donations. He is an 18-yr resident of Fair Oaks, and his children graduated from BVHS in ’98 and ‘02. He continues to support BVHS as the Pole Vault Coach for the Track & Field Team.

Download PDF file (2.7Mb) of the overall site map for Phase I: Grading and Drainage.