Park Planning, Development and Operations
This area consists of:

• horticulture
• forestry
• sportsfields
• design and development
• turf

The horticulture, forestry and sportsfields section is responsible for the maintenance of parks, playgrounds and community trails, sportsfields, tree services, horticulture, environmental and woodland management.

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Design and Development is responsible for open space planning, site planning, landscape reclamation, ecological restoration, project management and technical services associated with the delivery of new or updated park and recreation infrastructure.

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GRASS CUTTING PRACTICES AND TIPS FOR A HEALTHY LAWN

City of Kitchener Grass Cutting Facts
	City staff maintains approximately 3,000 acres of turf of differing size, location and classification and this volume makes it difficult to cut everything at once.
	Currently, the City spends about $1 million dollars annually to ensure that publicly owned parks and green spaces are maintained each summer.
	Twenty-six staff members work on 14 different grass-cutting routes. Each route takes approximately three to four weeks to complete, weather depending, at which time, it is started again.
	The inventory of City-owned parks and greenspace continues to grow each year as new subdivisions are built.
	A number of variables determine when staff can mow - weather conditions (too wet or too dry), large amounts of litter, staff and equipment allocations.
Tips for a Healthy Lawn A healthy lawn is the best prevention against weeds. Below are some tips you can use throughout the season to have a healthy, weed resistant, natural lawn.
In the spring:
	Do a light raking to remove debris and some excessive thatch. Thatch can be beneficial to your lawn but can cause problems with root growth if it's too thick. Thatch is a layer of organic matter lying between your green turf and the soil.
	It's important to aerate your lawn. This process removes small cores of soil which allows water, air and nutrients to penetrate the soil to the roots. This process also helps de-thatch your lawn and reduces compaction.
	Application of a fertilizer with the right mix of Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphate will help feed your lawn. Consider slow release vs. fast release and apply carefully to avoid "burning" your lawn.
	Making sure your lawn mower is properly maintained including sharpening your mower blades, and raising the mower height will help your lawn build healthy roots.
	Overseeding and top-dressing help build a thicker lawn and provide increased nutrients to your lawn. This is particularly important if you have aerated.
	Remove weeds before they go to seed. You can pull by hand or with hand tools to make this job easier. Pesticides are not necessary in many cases.
In the summer:
	Don't cut your lawn to less than 3". Longer grass means longer roots that hold moisture better and shades soil to reduce evaporation. Your lawn is the best place to compost grass clippings - so let them fall. They return valuable nutrients to the soil.
	Continue to hand pull weeds as required. A healthy lawn will resist the intrusion of weeds. If necessary consider spot spraying.
	Follow local water restrictions - only water your lawn when necessary. Your lawn only needs 1", once a week. To save water use a drip or soaker hose or water from a rain barrel. Water at night or in the early morning to avoid evaporation. Healthy lawns go dormant during a drought and rebound when it rains again.
In the fall:
	Aerating can also be done in the fall and can benefit compacted soil by helping oxygen, water and nutrients reach the roots. It is beneficial to overseed and topdress after aeration.
	In the fall you may choose to mow your lawn at a lower height. Because of the cooler weather your grass will grow better and does not need as much protection and shade. A shorter lawn also makes leaf removal easier and mulching leaves on your lawn will provide valuable nutrients.

Reducing Inventory
The City is looking at ways to reduce the amount of grass staff maintains. There are several ways to do this.

One of the ways in which the City is attempting to engage the public in helping with turf maintenance is through the implementation of community gardens on cul-de-sacs. A community garden is a place where neighbours come together to beautify their neighbourhood. The gardens make the neighbourhood a nicer place to live, help build community, create green space, and educate the public.

Another way staff are looking to reduce inventory is to encourage naturalized areas. A pilot program for naturalized areas will be initiated this summer. Some areas have been naturalized informally over the past few years for reasons including reducing the amount of area to be cut and reduction of those difficult to maintain sloped areas. Creating buffer zones between naturalized areas and private property is one possible course of action that allows the environmental benefits of naturalization to continue.

For more information about the City's turf maintenance practices, call 519-741-2514.

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Contact Information
Phone: 519-741-2557 (Parks Operations)
Fax: 519-741-2693
Phone: 519-741-2566 (Design and Development)
Fax: 519-741-2723