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Maintenance Schedule

The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s maintenance schedule is posted below. The schedule is organized according to DCR’s management regions and districts. Each district has a number of sites classified as recreation or parkway facilities that require regular maintenance. The schedule outlines the planned cycle of maintenance for tasks such as mowing, weeding, emptying trash barrels, removing litter, sanitizing beaches, inspecting playgrounds, cleaning restrooms, sweeping parkways and parking lots, and cleaning catch basins.

These are tasks that the district operations staff performs on a regular basis. Please note that this schedule does not account for special clean-up projects, seasonal facility opening tasks, repair work, or corrective work orders. It represents the routine work of park operations.

 

URBAN PARKS
North Region South Region Harbor Region
Fells District Blue Hills District Shore District
Charles District West District Islands District
Coastal District    
STATE PARKS
Northeast Region
Southeast Region
Atlantic District South Coastal District
Metro West District Cape Cod District
Great Brook District  
 
Central Region Western Region
Blackstone District Northern Berkshire District
Quabbin Highlands District Central Berkshire District
Connecticut Valley District Southern Berkshire District

 

Maintenance Plan Key

The maintenance frequency is identified for each task is typically marked

as one of the following codes:

 

E= Every “X” number of days.

Example:

E7 indicates that the task is performed every seven (7) calendar days.

AN= As Needed

Example:

E14/ AN = Task to be performed every 14 days at a minimum or more often as needed.

A= Annually

Example:

Catch Basin Cleaning is done annually at most sites

*= See Comments

Example:

E1* Comment explains and or provides more detail about the task or site. For example at Nantasket Beach Reservation the bathrooms are cleaned continuously throughout the day.

 

Overview of Each Task

 


MOW/ TRIM

This task includes the work associated with mowing and edge trimming a site. The mowing frequency in May and June ranges from every seven (E7) days to every fourteen days (E14) with some locations every twenty-one days (E21) or more.

The frequency of mowing depends on the location, accessibility, the intended use of the turf, the design, and the available resources. Ball fields are mowed more frequently to provide appropriate turf to play on. Grassy embankments and the slopes of parks and parkways are mowed less frequently.

 

WEED GRASSY/ NON PAVED AREA

This task involves weeding the grassy areas around trees, fences, and other park furniture, but not paved areas or pathways. The frequency of this task is usually the same as the mowing task for a site.

 

WEED PAVED AREA

This task consists of weeding the paved areas of a site including pathways, curbs, and sidewalks, and around buildings and other infrastructure. This is a challenge in many areas due to the volume of work. A separate crew is often charged with this task, and the frequency is different from the MOW task. It is most often a frequency of E30, every thirty days. However, in some case it has a lower frequency (E45) because of the access and safety set-up required and/or because the location lacks a formal curb along the parkway.

 

TRASH BARREL PICK UP

The frequency of this task in May and June ranges from E1 to E7 with one or two remote sites at a lower frequency. Note the frequency changes during the height of the summer season.

 

LITTER REMOVAL

Litter removal includes general park and parkway litter removal which is usually done by hand. The frequency ranges from E1 to E21 with most sites falling in the middle of that range. Locations with dedicated staff at a site perform the task more often (E1) than parkways, which often have an E14 frequency because a crew is sent often just prior to mowing.

 

BEACH SANITIZING

Beach sanitizing is most often performed by a mechanized beach rake that sifts the sand. Debris is collected, deposited in a truck, and hauled away. Depending on the length of the beach, it may take more than one day to “sanitize” the entire beach. During the beach season, this is planned for an E4 or E5 frequency with a few locations more frequently due to resources and topography of the beach. In addition, some beaches are raked or cleaned by hand daily (E1), which is noted in the comments.

             

BALL FIELD

This is the frequency of ball field striping and general maintenance.

 

PLAYGROUND

The frequency for checking playgrounds is most often E7, for once a week.

Playgrounds are formally inspected once a year preseason and are checked once a week.

 

RESTROOMS

The frequency of cleaning of restrooms at most sites is E1 with a note that they are cleaned continuously throughout the day. Seasonal staff is dedicated to many of the restrooms to ensure a high quality of maintenance.

SWEEP

The frequency relates to sweeping of the streets or sweeping of the associated parking lot, depending on the site. Frequency ranges from E1 to E120, with the majority of sites at E30. Some beach sites are swept daily, due to the volume of sand, while others are swept less frequently.

CATCH BASINS

Catch basins are cleaned annually. Those in areas prone to flooding are cleaned more often.

 

 

 
 

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Commissioner
Rick Sullivan



 
Maintenance Plan Key  
     

Overview of Tasks

 
     
Urban Region/District Map  
     

 
   
   
 

Construction Activity

 


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