Lake Forest Begins Summer Of Park, Field Maintenance

LAKE FOREST, CA — Lake Forest continues to upgrade their parks and playgrounds as the summer starts in 2021. Field 4 is no exception, currently undergoing sod replacement in the infield.

This year, more residents than ever are expected to take to the turf at the Sports Park. With that comes necessary maintenance, the city says.

It's called summer renovation, and the city will conduct their annual turf renoavations on sports fields from June to August.

"The reason for the annual turf renewal is to perform seeding, aeration, fertilization, sod removal and replacement, irrigation repairs and improvments to prepare fields for the recreational soccer and baseball seasons," the city says.

During the renovations, no play of any kind is allowed on fields in order for the new grass to grow and the sod to become established.

Lake Forest uses a special bermuda grass to thrive in hot and sunny climates, while remaining durable and weed resistant.

"On occasion, the City has been asked to look into the possibility of staggering the field renovations in order to have at least one soccer field and one baseball field open at all times," the city wrote on their website.

There is not sufficient time to allow for back-to-back renovation periods of eight plusweeks, meet the schedules and needs of the leagues, and to allow for sufficient turf establishment in the ideal growing conditions.

The 2021 summer field maintenance closure schedule is now posted on the Sports Park website at lakeforestca.gov.

Expect intermittent closures at the Sports Park, Heroes Park, Boreego Park, Foothill Ranch Community Park, Rancho Serrano, Regency Park, Rimgate park, Tamarisk Park, Baker Ranch Park.

"Make sure to check the closure dates if you are planning on using one of the sports fields," a city spokesperson tells us.