Many of you have expressed concern regarding the condition of our soccer fields.  While we've communicated rather generally that we have been, and are still in the process of trying to improve the condition of the fields, we wanted to provide specific information since you all certainly deserve to know.

 

We maintain a very cooperative and respectful relationship with Central Bucks School District, as well as the Townships of Buckingham, Doylestown, and Plumstead, and without the use of their fields we would be seriously compromised. For all school district and township fields, we have little control over the condition of the facilities and are not directly responsible for, nor empowered to perform at any large scale, field improvements or field maintenance.  For the most part, the CBSD and township fields are in good condition.  However, we are currently working with representatives of CBSD and the various townships to address issues, including bare spots and potholes on some fields prior to fall season games.  We are also working with CBSD and the townships to ensure that fields are mowed regularly throughout the season to facilitate practices and games.

 

For the Herbst Complex, a combination of factors has led to the present condition you all have undoubtedly observed.  While we have enjoyed a relatively cool and wet summer, there were 2 weeks of intensely hot and dry weather in July that followed directly after a period of cool and wet.  The net effect was that the turf roots were significantly stressed through excessive heating that was actually exacerbated by the high soil moisture.  There was also unusual activity at the Complex in the form of a lacrosse tournament that followed the intensely hot and dry period in July and a pipeline rehabilitation project that was conducted in an easement through Field 3.  Unfortunately, we find ourselves set back with respect to significant strides that had been made last year and this past spring and our ability to implement a long-term turf management plan that was predicated on a baseline that no longer exists.

 

In the immediate future, we are preparing to implement a critical restoration, including heavy aeration and targeted slit-seeding with a rapidly germinating turf blend.  The hope is that with reasonable environmental conditions, we can increase our extent of turf coverage while we continue the fall season.  During the fall season, we will also be mowing regularly to ensure appropriate grass depth during the week and for weekend activities.  Simultaneously, we are evaluating the possibility of relocating games from certain Herbst fields to fields that are in better condition.  At the conclusion of the fall season, we intend to aggressively rehabilitate the Complex through a variety of measures, including further aeration, topdressing, addition of soil amendments, and additional seeding and/or sodding as needed.  Beyond, we are developing a long-term management strategy with a qualified sports complex turf management firm that will include many of the same strategies we have always employed (fertilizing, overseeding, aeration) and other more advanced strategies (appropriate amendments, improvements to drainage, etc...), and we are evaluating the possibility of more extensive improvements including programmable irrigation.

 

The condition of our fields is a constant process, influenced by many factors including demand, usage, environmental conditions, and, inevitably, finances.  We are optimistic that the immediate and long-term plans will pay dividends in the form of improved fields, while we must also juggle the reality of extremely high demand during those times of the year when turf management is most easily accomplished.  We also ask that coaches, as stewards of our fields, continue to help in this cause by practicing and encouraging good housekeeping (i.e.,, leave no trash), by being willing to help remediate minor issues (e.g., by filling minor holes), by communicating concerns, by practicing field management during practices (e.g., by avoiding damaged areas to the extent possible), and by understanding that there are difficult decisions we must make to close or shift fields depending on weather and other factors.