BT Connor Reserve warm season grasses

Warm season grasses
Warm season grasses are grass species that are thick, hardy and tolerant of drought. They have wide spreading roots, which means that they do not require as much water as other species’ of grass to remain healthy throughout the year. They are much better than cool season grasses at maintaining their colour during hot weather, and can even become greener as the temperature increases. Warm season grasses can reduce the amount of water required to maintain grasses by up to 60%.
Some warm season grass species’, such as Couch grass and Kikuyu grass are more sturdy and resistant to damage from vehicles, pedestrians or pets. Others, such as Buffalo grass are more tolerant to shade.
Rainwater tanks and irrigation
Rainwater is collected from the roofs of the two pavilions at BT Connor Reserve and channelled through pipes into four water storage tanks nearby. As the water sits in the tanks, any particles of soil, litter or other contaminants that are floating in it are given time to sink to the bottom. This makes the water cleaner.
Solar power is used to manage the water levels in the tanks and pump water onto the soccer pitches to irrigate (water) the grass. If extra water is needed for irrigation, it can be drawn from Edwardes Lake (which also has a stormwater treatment system).

The BT Connor Reserve stormwater harvesting system consists of:

• Grass species such as Couch, Buffalo and Kikuyu, which thrive on sporadic summer rainfall.
• Gutters and pipes to collect rainwater from the two pavilion roofs. The roofs have a total catchment area of just over 900 square metres (m³).
• Four rainwater tanks with a total storage capacity of almost 300,000 litres (or 300 kilolitres).
• Solar powered tank management and irrigation system.
• Overflow drainage system into the Merri Creek.

2008-2015

Sowing of warm season grasses.

2011
Rainwater storage tanks installed.

$200,000 for sowing four soccer pitches with warm season grasses ($50,000 spent on each pitch)

City of Darebin’s Parks and Gardens team manage and monitor the irrigation of the soccer pitches and the health of warm season grasses. Council spends about $5,000 each year on maintaining the water tanks, pumps and irrigation system at BT Connor Reserve.

To convert your lawn to warm season grass at home it is important to consider a few things:

• How will the grassed area be used? This informs the species of grass that you should choose.
• Do you have time (4-6 weeks) to grow your grass from seed? This informs whether you should grow your grass from seed or install pre-grown grass.
• During which season will you be installing your grass? This also informs whether you should grow your grass from seed or install pre-grown grass.

Melbourne residents can apply for a 28 day exemption from normal water restrictions to water warm season grasses outside set watering times. This gives the grass time to establish roots and become more resilient. For more detailed information about this exemption and step-by-step guidance for growing warm season grasses at home, visit this website.

BT Connor Reserve is a public sports ground. It is home to the Preston Lions, a Victorian State League Division 1 (highest State level) club and can hold around 8,000 spectators on game days. The Preston Lions have men’s, women’s and junior teams who regularly play and train at BT Connor Reserve.

Converting the pitches at BT Connor Reserve allows Council to keep the reserve’s soccer pitches in good playing condition year-round, benefiting the local community as well as visiting teams and spectators. Additionally, irrigating warm season grasses costs less than it would to irrigate cool season grasses. This saves Council and rate-payers money, and preserves the community’s drinking water supply.

In low water or drought conditions, less water is required to irrigate warm season grasses at the soccer pitches, conserving water for native flora and fauna and other purposes.

Additionally, water harvested from the pavilion roofs is stored in tanks, where it is used to irrigate the soccer pitches year-round. The environmental benefits of rainwater harvesting and storage at BT Connor Reserve are described here.

Darebin City Council acknowledges the Wurundjeri people as the traditional owners and custodians of this land and pays respect to their Elders past and present.

Entirely funded by Darebin City Council.