Hi Liz,
Before you go looking for a condition rating tool, have you established the levels of service for the landscape areas you are looking to rate? For instance have you written standards for turf - percentage of bare areas, percentage of weeds, type of weeds/unacceptable weeds, soil compaction, acceptable/desireable grass species, general health/colour/vigour of grass; or in garden areas - depth of mulch, density of plants, number of plants from original design, general health/colour/vigour of plants, pests on plants, pruning of plants to desired shape etc.
Once you have your standards in place for each of the park types in your hierarchy you are well on your way to having the basics for your condition rating tool. These standards will also be essential in measuring the effectiveness of your operations as well - eg how often to mow, herbicide applications, aeration etc. With the service standards in place you can then look at whether you are over or under servicing for the agreed level of service with your community and in partnership with data from community surveys you will be in a better position to compete for funds at the budget table.
Peter
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Peter Savage
Savage Consulting
Everton Park QLD
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-02-2012 18:13
From: Liz Paterson
Subject: Park garden beds and turf condition ratings
Has anyone developed condition rating criteria for garden beds and turf areas in parks (ie not sportsgrounds turf)? Is it useful?!
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Liz Paterson
Parks & Reserves Technical Officer
Willoughby City Council
CHATSWOOD NSW
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