from City of Dallas Parks and Recreation Department Park Maintenance Service Newsletter

Have you ever wondered, “What does the Park Maintenance Services Team accomplish during the winter months?” We’re sure you have. So here’s a small glimpse of your tax dollars at work on the 371 parks in Dallas!

All aspects of forestry are performed during the winter months to include tree planting, trimming, privet and underbrush removal, and removal of damaged or dying trees. Our irrigators are able to spend time establishing new irrigation systems, repairing or upgrading existing systems, monitoring systems during subfreezing temperatures for any problems, and working on supplies for the upcoming growing season.

Our athletic field crew make repairs and upgrades to fields that prove difficult to service during busy times of the year. They add clay and conditioner to infields, make minor repairs to fencing, paint soccer and basketball goals, repair dugout benches and bleachers, and backfill cracks or holes in the playing surface as needed.

We also replace or make repairs to park furnishings such as benches, trash cans, picnic tables, damaged backboards, bollard post installations, playgrounds, BBQ grills, signage, and occasional minor grading to flex-base parking lots.

The off-season provides our mower operators the opportunity to inspect their parks and mow winter grasses and mulch leaves as needed. We use this time to clean out litter, brush, and unwanted plants from creeks, ponds, and lakes. Often this is a good
time for us to address some of our erosion control problems. Seasonal color changes are done to a percentage of the color beds in the parks and plant bed upgrades are often done in the off season as well. Tilling in compost, making repairs to the borders, and changing irrigation if needed.

The Dallas Park and Recreation Department maintains the 5th largest municipal park system in the nation and thank you for allowing us to do so! Don’t forget to enjoy your Dallas Parks in the winter months!