Ipswich River Park, North Reading

Demonstration 6
Soil and Turf Amendments at Municipal Athletic Fields

Location: Ipswich River Park, North Reading, MA

Purpose:

• Demonstrate the use of soil- and turf-enhancement techniques to reduce watering needs on municipal fields and/or parks.
• Quantify the water savings associated with soil- and turf-enhancement techniques.
• Reduce nonpoint source pollution by reducing the need for, and application of, fertilizers and pesticides.

Description: A portion of a municipal athletic field complex, located adjacent to the river at Ipswich River Park and totaling eight acres, was redeveloped to maximize infiltration and minimize irrigation requirements and application of fertilizer and pesticides. Techniques included:

• Soil enhancement with zeolite, an additive that retains moisture
• Use of drought-resistant turf
• Installation of innovative irrigation controls (See Demonstration 8)

For this study one of the four fields in the complex underwent extensive soil treatment with zeolite (click here for description of treatment), while all fields were over-seeded with drought-resistant turf and utilized weather-based irrigation.  The field immediately adjacent to the zeolite field -  which has identical solar orientation, drainage patterns, and original soil profile – was used as a “control” for the effectiveness of the zeolite.

Data Collection and Analysis: The town monitored irrigation demand and turf health of the zeolite field and the control field.

Partners:

• Town of North Reading
• AquaSave LLC, Ipswich, MA

Status: See Progress Report