Sportsfields as Learning Labs First in Canada
On May 26, 2016 local high school students took to the turf at McLeod Athletic Park in the Township of Langley to train – not to practice football or work on their track and field skills, but to learn what it takes to build and maintain a sportsfield facility. The session, called First Green on Sportsfields, was the first program of its kind to be held in Canada.
Presented by the Township of Langley’s Parks Operations Department in partnership with Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), Western Canada Turfgrass Association (WCTA), and Sports Turf Canada (STC), the event was held to give Grade 9 students from Langley Secondary School a first-hand look at how sportsfields are designed, constructed, and cared for.
TOL City Councillor Blair Whitmarsh welcomes the students and staff to the first ever in Canada, First Green on Sportsfields event
“With the importance of outdoor recreational opportunities in urban settings, turf management is a growing industry,” said Township Manager of Parks Operations Tab Buckner. “Sportsfields are a major part of our community’s health and well-being. This was an opportunity to work with young people and give them some insight into how we manage these important and busy facilities.”
First Green on Sportsfields is based on a program called First Green, which was started in Washington State a decade ago, and primarily uses golf courses as environmental learning labs to teach science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). WCTA has hosted two successful First Green pilot events over the past two years, at the Vancouver Golf Club and the Redwoods Golf Course in Walnut Grove. With First Green on Sportsfields, the Township and its partners have adapted the program to focus on the sportsfield component.
“With the demands placed on sportsfields, successful turf managers need to be highly educated,” said KPU Turf Management instructor Stan Kazymerchyk. “This session touched on the science and technology involved with maintaining a sportsfield, featuring STEM learning with elements of chemistry, electricity, biology, and engineering.”
TOL turf manager Dan Allen walks students through the process of measuring an area for a topdressing volume calculation
TOL Irrigation Technician Brad Waters discusses flow and pressure with LSS students. Teachers though his last name was quite fitting!
Farm-Tek Services put on a full demo of aeration, topdressing, fertilization and over-seeding.
TOL Parks Operations Manager Tab Buckner shows students the grass seed spread over sand topdressing
The first international backpack blow-ball games were a huge hit!
A group of LSS students line up with Tab Buckner who prepares to throttle the competition in the backpack blowerball games.
Great technique! Langley Secondary School Principal Diane Tomlinson takes the proper approach to starting up a backpack blower at the inaugural First Green on Sportsfield event held May 26 in the Township of Langley.
Acting Langley School Ditrict Superintendent oversees another round of the backpack blowball competition
“This was a great opportunity to see kids apply their math and science skills to this type of an approach, and let them know there are all kinds of opportunities out there in this area for future employment,” said Gord Stewart, Acting Superintendent of Schools for Langley School District #35.
The students rotated through a number of stations hosted by Township staff and guest instructors learning about everything from soil science, grass species and water usage to sportsfield maintenance practices, power tools, and electricity.
“There is a lot involved in sportsfield maintenance, but it can be a really rewarding career,” Buckner said. “We were really pleased to be able to give these young people a hands-on, on-site experience.”
Students who participated said they had fun and learned a lot during the session, and would definitely recommend the experience to others.
TOL Manager of Parks Operations Manager Tab Buckner with First Green organization key personnel Karen Armstead (left) and Cathy Relyea (right)
McLeod Athletic Park, located at 56 Avenue and 2016 Street, is a world-class athletic facility that has been chosen to host events such as the 2010 BC Summer Games, the 2013 Special Olympics BC Summer Games, the 2013/2014 Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships, and the 2014 BC Seniors Games. This summer, it will welcome the Whitecaps FC2 soccer team for matches on August 21 and September 5.
For more information, contact Tab Buckner, Manager of Parks Operations, at tbuckner@tol.ca or 604.532.3504.