Custodial and Grounds
A well-trained custodial and grounds crew knows what to do, why they are doing it, and how best to take care of park maintenance. This area contains resources applicable to staff organization, health and safety, and efficient logistical approaches to improve custodial and grounds operations.
Why Should I Care About Invasive Plants?
Mid-west Invasive Plant Council, 2022
This brochure describes how invasive plants impact hunting, fishing, boating, gardening, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and other recreational activities.
Habitat Gardening for Wildlife
Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2015
If we provide consistent, clear messagesand simple guidance about how to improve or restore habitat in our communities, then the resulting actionsby the public should help to slow—and ultimately, one hopes, to reverse—the trend of declining wildlife species.
Invasive Plants and Their Native Look-alikes
Delaware Department of Agriculture, 2008
This guide fills a need for a regional photographic guide to a broad selection of invasive plants that are often confused with similar native look-alikes.
Why Mulch Volcanoes are Bad
University of Missouri, 2001
Brief article describing the effects of a common landscaping mistake.
Landscaping Near Black Walnut Trees
K-State Research and Extension, 2015
Selecting juglone-tolerant plants
Guide to Restoring Native Plants in NYC
Madison Square Park Conservancy, 2021
This guide was designed for New York City residents, professional land managers, and gardeners to choose the plants with the greatest ecological impact on our city.
Madison Square Park Tree Conservation Plan
Madison Square Park Conservancy, 2017
This tree plan, not only comprises a history of trees that once stood in the Park and catalogues the trees currently standing, but also directs the succession and maintenance of the tree canopy that future generations of Park users will enjoy.
Best Cultural Practices for Sports Fields
Boyd Montgomery, CSFM, 2022
This is a slide deck from a presentation at the 2022 PRPS Annual Conference. Boyd covers essential steps to keeping playing surfaces safe and attractive.
Native Seed Resource Center
Ernst Seeds, 2022
There are many factors involved in choosing, purchasing and planting native seeds and live materials, as well as managing expectations and maintaining native plant sites.
Winter Pond Inspection Checklist
Penn State Extension, 2021
If you are a pond owner, winter or early spring is a good time to take a walk around your pond to see if any maintenance is needed.
Winter is Tree Pruning Season
Penn State Extension, 2021
While you may need to bundle up, the cold temperatures of winter make for a great time to prune.
Pruning Landscape Trees
Penn State Extension, 2021
Proper pruning of landscape trees improves their structural strength, maintains their health, enhances their beauty, and increases their value.
Disinfecting Tools, Equipment, Pots, Flats and Benches
Penn State Extension, 2011
Prewash tools, benches, and equipment to remove soil and plant debris because disinfestants do not penetrate these well.
Fungicides, Herbicides, and Insecticides
Penn State Extension, 2006
In some cases, pesticides are the only alternative in controlling pests. The pesticides cited here have moderately low mammalian toxicity and degrade soon after application.
Let Beneficial Insects Work for You
Penn State Extension, 2020
Next growing season, why not use some natural pest management?
