Turf Protection Planning Guide - A Primer for Applicants (Turf Management Guide Section 4)

This is Chapter 1 Section 4 of the Turf Management and Operations Guide for the National Mall and Memorial Parks, a comprehensive guide and manual intended for National Park Service employees, permit holders, and others using the lawn areas of the National Mall and Memorial Parks.

 

 

Map of Turf Level Areas 1, 2, and 3

 

Alternative Text for Map Image

The map provides a visual reference for the locations of Turf Levels 1-3 and Level 1 Exclusion Areas within National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, DC. For more detailed information and questions about using these areas for permitted activities, contact the National Mall and Memorial Parks' Permits Management Office at 202-245-4715.

Level 1 Areas are highlighted in green on the map. Level 1 Areas include parkland in and around the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Reflecting Pool, and World War II Memorial; parkland on the Washington Monument grounds inside the internal walkways; and parkland on the National Mall between 14th Street and 3rd Street.

Level 2 Areas are highlighted in light blue on the map. Level 2 Areas include parkland near the Lincoln Memorial by Daniel French Drive along Independence Avenue and by Henry Bacon Drive along Constitution Avenue; a section of the National Mall from near the Korean War Veterans Memorial to near the World War II Memorial; parkland around Constitution Gardens; parkland along Independence Avenue from 17th Street to 14th Street; and some parkland along Constitution Avenue from 17th Street.

Level 3 Areas are highlighted in yellow on the map. Level 3 Areas include the majority of West Potomac Park fields along Ohio Drive.

Level 1 Exclusion Areas are highlighted in red on the map. These areas are indicated to allow one day table, chairs, and a 10-feet by 10-feet tent. Four areas are highlighted on the map, including two near the base of the Lincoln Memorial's steps; one on the steps on the east side of the World War II Memorial; and one near the southwest side of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

 

Turfgrass is a living, breathing, organism which requires six basic elements for survival: air, water, food/nutrients, sunshine/light, proper temperature and rest. When any of these elements are not provided or removed from the equation, the decline and possible death of the turfgrass is imminent.

Events can be very damaging to the health of turf as they often result in limiting the turfgrass from access air, water, nutrients and light. Damage to the turf areas primarily occur due to wear (tearing and abrasion of the above ground parts of the plant) and soil compaction, (reducing the pore space in the soil which limits air and water availability) ultimately damaging turf.

It is strongly encouraged that structures be placed on the park’s hardscape areas where they will not impact the turf. However, the NPS may allow, under permit, structures on turf (structures not permitted on center turf areas at WWII, upper circles at Jefferson. Lincoln, and Washington, and the view shed of the Washington Monument), if the Permittee’s use of structure and equipment follows the turf protection measures as detailed below. Without the necessary resource protection measures, structures are not permitted on turf and must be limited to locations on the hardscape surfaces.

Section 4.1 is the Level 1 turf area parameters Level 2 and 3 follow. There is a lot of similarity between them. Levels 2 and 3 differ from level 1 in that:

Level 2 areas, all rules that apply to Level 1 still apply except:

• Vehicles
  • Limited (in number and size) approved vehicles driving on approved decking (solid back) is allowed.
  • Tractor trailers allowed only when delivering and removing mobile stages. They must drive on protective flooring.
  • Limited (in number and size) approved turf vehicles (golf cart size or similar) with turf tires (smooth tread and a psi of less than 15) are allowed to drive on turf without decking.
• Level 3 areas, in addition to Level 2, allow:
  • Chairs, tables, and similar items with feet are allowed to be set up directly on the turf.
  • Smooth, wide turf tire, with a psi less than 20 on larger equipment allowed to drive directly on turf. This includes some tractors and forklifts.
  • Tractor trailers allowed with protective flooring and proper traffic dispersal (a route in and out may only be used once by a tractor trailer).
  • Aluminum roll out flooring allowed for 4 hours a day before 10 am and after 4 pm.

 

Sections 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3

 

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  TURF MANAGEMENT GUIDE

  Level 1 Primer

  Review guidance for holding permitted activities in Level 1 areas, which includes lawns around large monuments and memorials.

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  TURF MANAGEMENT GUIDE

  Level 2 Primer

  Review guidance for holding permitted activities in Level 2 areas, which includes spaces between Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument..

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  TURF MANAGEMENT GUIDE

  Level 3 Primer

  Review guidance for holding permitted activities in Level 3 areas, which are generally located in West Potomac Park.

 

4.4 No Stake Zones

 

Typical Mall Panel

Alternative Text for the Image

The image is a reference to the general size of sections of the National Mall lawns referred to as "panels". Panels of lawn are generally...

For more information about this image or special events on the National Mall and Memorial Parks, contact the Division of Permits Management at 202-245-4715.

 

No Stake Zones – Washington Monument Grounds

Alternative Text for Map Image

The map image is a reference of where stakes are not allowed on the turf of the Washington Monument grounds in Washington, DC, with areas indicated in green on the map. Stakes are not allowed on the lawns within the inner walkways from 17th Street to 14th Street and some sections of lawn near the corner of 14th Street and Independence Avenue.

For more information about this map or special events on National Mall and Memorial Parks, please contact the Division of Permits Management at 202-245-4715.

 

No Stake Zones – Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Alternative Text for Map Image

The map image is a reference of where stakes are not allowed on the turf around the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, with areas indicated by diagonal lines on the map. Stakes are not allowed on the turf immediately surrounding the three memorials. Boundaries to these areas are delineated by walkways and roadways.

For more information about this map or special events on National Mall and Memorial Parks, please contact the Division of Permits Management at 202-245-4715.

 

No Stake Zones – Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Alternative Text for Map Image

The map image is a reference of where stakes are not allowed on the turf on the Thomas Jefferson Memorial grounds in Washington, DC, with areas indicated by diagonal lines on the map. Stakes are not allowed on in a circular lawn around around the base of the memorial structure and a panel of lawn immediately to the east of the memoral structure. Boundaries are delineated by walkways and roadways.

For more information about this map or special events on National Mall and Memorial Parks, please contact the Division of Permits Management at 202-245-4715.

 

TURF MANAGEMENT GUIDE SECTIONS

• 

  Turf Management Guide

  The Turf Management and Event Operations Guide is a manual for staff and permit holders to use to preserve the parks' lawns.

• 

  Turf Management Guide Section 1

  Read Chapter 1 Section 1 about Park Use and Resource Protection Planning Guide

• 

  Turf Management Guide Section 2

  Read Chapter 1 Section 2: Revised Permit Conditions

• 

  Turf Management Guide Section 3

  Read Chapter 1 Section 3: Permitting Process: Special Steps for Events on the National Mall and Memorial Parks

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  Turf Management Guide Section 4

  Read Chapter 1 Section 4: Turf Protection Planning Guide - A Primer for Applicants

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  Turf Management Guide Section 5

  Read Chapter 1 Section 5: Appendix