Tool Shed

Our Tool Shed is a resource library designed for professionals working within all aspects of park maintenance.  We continually research best maintenance practices from all industries to gather videos, articles, templates, and websites and store them in one place for our subscribers. We spend the time to sift through the noise and provide you with valuable information when you need it, so you can focus on developing solutions. If there is something you need but cannot find, reach out and share your specific needs.

Stakeholder Management Resource Management Financial Management Benchmarks Playgrounds, Wellness, and Physical Equipment Pools, Boating, and Swimming Areas Trails and Greenways Park Structures Accessibility and Inclusion Custodial and Grounds Infrastructure Greener Approach Athletic Fields and Sport Facilities Natural Landscapes and Open Spaces Invasive Species and Pest Control Irrigation and Nutrition Journeymen's Guide Mechanic's Guide Contractor's Guide Front Office Guide

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.

Weed control: Wild violet (Viola spp.)

Penn State Extension, 2019

Wild violet is a common name used for several species within the Viola genus that infest home lawns, parks, grounds, cemeteries, and other turf areas.

Pesticide Storage and Security

Penn State Extension, 2017

This article describes the proper procedures for storing pesticides and application equipment.

Evaluation of Playing Surface Characteristics of Various In-Filled System

Penn State University, 2016

This study was designed to evaluate the playing surface quality of various infill systems over time.

Iron in Turfgrass Irrigation Water

Penn State Extension, 2021

The presence of higher-than-normal iron concentrations in water samples may be of concern to turfgrass managers due to possible negative effects on irrigation systems and other cosmetic problems.

Weed control: Nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi)

Penn State Extension, 2015

Nimblewill is a native warm season perennial grass. It is extremely common, especially in older lawns.

Weed control: Common chickweed [Stellaria media (L.) Vill.]

Penn State Extension, 2020

Common chickweed is a weed of home lawns, parks, golf courses, and athletic fields.

Weed control: Japanese Stiltgrass [Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus]

Penn State Extension, 2020

Japanese stiltgrass, also known as Nepalese browntop and Mary's grass, is a highly invasive weed along roadsides bordering wooded areas, in infrequently mowed naturalized rough areas on golf courses, as well as in shaded or partially shaded parks and lawns.

Weed control: Yellow Woodsorrel, Oxalis stricta L.

Penn State Extension, 2020

Yellow woodsorrel, also referred to as oxalis, sourgrass, and other names, is a weed of home lawns, parks, golf courses, and athletic fields.

Postemergence Control of Crabgrass and Other Summer Annual Grasses in Lawns

Penn State Extension, 2017

The most common summer annual grasses in our region include crabgrasses (Digitaria spp.), goosegrass (Eleusine indica), foxtails (Setaria spp.), and barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crusgalli).