{"id":259,"date":"2023-08-25T16:55:08","date_gmt":"2023-08-25T23:55:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/wgedl\/?page_id=259"},"modified":"2025-07-03T14:24:55","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T21:24:55","slug":"259-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/labs.wsu.edu\/wgedl\/259-2\/","title":{"rendered":"P5-Managment Survey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
RESILIENT TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT<\/div>\n
Insights from High-Use Landscapes in Washington State<\/div>\n\n\n
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The overall goal of this research is to determine how sports fields and large grass landscapes are being managed in the state of Washington and where the issues lie in developing a more sustainable approach to turfgrass management at large.<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
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THE ISSUE<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

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Grass landscapes in parks, golf courses, school grounds, and university campuses serve essential aesthetic, recreational, and functional roles in urban and suburban environments. However, these turfgrass systems often experience significant stress due to high foot traffic and continuous use, posing complex challenges for maintenance professionals striving to preserve turf health and landscape quality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This study investigates the current management practices, challenges, and effective strategies employed by turfgrass managers across Washington State through a comprehensive survey of lawn care providers, municipal parks staff, golf course superintendents, and educational institution grounds crews. Findings reveal common issues including soil compaction, irrigation constraints, resource limitations, and balancing turf recovery with intense usage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Successful approaches identified emphasize adaptive species selection, targeted cultural practices such as aeration and overseeding, and integrated fertilization and irrigation management. The study underscores the need for enhanced training, knowledge sharing, and accessible resources to support sustainable turfgrass stewardship. These insights provide a foundation for developing user-friendly management tools and collaborative frameworks aimed at improving the resilience and ecological sustainability of high-traffic turfgrass landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

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This study examined the management strategies, challenges, and needs of turfgrass professionals overseeing high-traffic grass landscapes across Washington State. By surveying a diverse group of stakeholders\u2014including lawn care services, golf course superintendents, municipal parks staff, and educational institution grounds crews\u2014the research illuminated current practices and persistent barriers in maintaining healthy, functional turf under conditions of intense use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key findings reveal that while fundamental management practices such as regular mowing, fertilization, aeration, overseeding, and irrigation remain central to turf health, significant challenges persist. These include soil compaction, water resource constraints, the difficulty of balancing continuous use with recovery periods, and limitations in equipment, training, and resource availability. Additionally, evolving climatic factors such as hotter, drier summers compound stress on turfgrass and complicate sustainable maintenance efforts.<\/p>\n\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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WHAT WE DID <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

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Our Team employed a qualitative survey methodology to investigate the practices, challenges, and perceptions of turfgrass managers responsible for high-use grass landscapes across Washington State. The research focused specifically on landscapes subjected to frequent or heavy foot traffic, including those in public parks, sports fields, school grounds, university campuses, and golf courses. These areas are particularly vulnerable to wear, compaction, and environmental stress, yet are expected to meet aesthetic and functional standards year-round. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participant Recruitment:<\/em> A purposive sampling approach was used to identify and recruit professionals involved in turfgrass and landscape management. The research team compiled a list of targeted contacts representing a range of institutional and professional sectors, including Municipal and regional parks departments, Golf course superintendents and grounds crews, K-12 school district maintenance departments, University facilities and grounds staff, and Private-sector lawn care and landscaping services.<\/p>\n\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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WHAT WE DISCOVERED & WHAT IT MEANS<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

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The successful management of high-use turfgrass landscapes has broad implications for urban green space sustainability, public health, and community well-being. Well-maintained turfgrass supports recreational activities, mitigates urban heat effects, and contributes to aesthetic and ecological quality in public and institutional settings. However, as urban populations grow and climate conditions evolve, turfgrass managers face increasing pressures to balance these demands with environmental stewardship and resource conservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This research highlights the importance of bridging gaps between academic research and practical application, ensuring that turfgrass management advances are grounded in the realities faced by practitioners. By implementing the recommended strategies, communities can enhance the resilience, functionality, and sustainability of their grass landscapes, ultimately fostering healthier environments that serve diverse public needs.<\/p>\n\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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