2.1 Timeframes for Pre-event Preparation and Post-event Turf Restoration
The following table includes recommended scheduled timeframes for pre-event preparation and post-event restoration1 for events held on the newly renovated high-performance turf panels. As activities are permitted, these time periods should be scheduled before and after the permitted event. Scheduled maintenance and restoration timeframes should be posted on the permit system for all to see.
This chart documents recommended timeframes only. The Turf Manager may recommend alternate durations based upon event conditions and/or turf conditions.
The following notes apply to all timeframes and all event parameters:
Pre-event preparation:
Where feasible, it is recommended that the turf be mowed in two directions on the day of the event.
Seeding in advance will allow the seed to be worked in by foot traffic or pre germinated by protective decking allow for new seed to be in place to help with recovery.
Fungicide application may be needed prior to decking installation.
Post-event recovery:
Following events where turf covers are used, the panel must be closed for 48-hours prior to interaction with the grass by the Turf Management team. See section 4.2 of this chapter for details on turf covering.
Depending upon level of damage caused by event, resodding may be required.
Sod knitting will take a minimum of three weeks, and may take up to 60 days depending on time of year and sod thickness. During first three (3) weeks after installation, usage shall be extremely limited in order to provide the roots an opportunity to firmly knit with soil and insures that the turf will remain smooth.
1 Extraordinary circumstances, such as a hurricane or larger than expected crowds, may require additional time affecting subsequent pre-events and next events. Pre-event preparation and post-event recovery time may vary based upon the size and duration of the event, the types of materials used, weather conditions, and the general conditions of the turf, among other factors. The timeframes recommended in this table are based upon best practices. The Turf Manager may make alternate recommendations based upon event parameters and turf conditions.
Table 1: Landscape Deposit
Event Size Description
Number of Attendees
Minor Event
less than 25 attendees
Small Event
26 to 999 attendees
Large Event
5,000 to 50,000 attendees
Very Large Event
50,000 to 249,000 attendees
Extreme Event
250,000 attendees or more
Per Acre Amounts
Minor Event
less than 25 attendees
Small Event
26 to 999 attendees
Medium Event
1,000 to 4,999 attendees
Large Event
5,000 to 50,000 attendees
Very Large Event
50,000 to 249,000 attendees
Extreme Event
250,000 or more attendees
Low Risk
$
$500
$1,000
$5,000
$10,000
$20,000
Medium Risk
$500
$2,500
$5,000
$10,000
$20,000
$35,000
High Risk
$1,000
$5,000
$10,000
$25,000
$40,000
$72,000
2.2 Level 1 Turf Areas Use Limits for Temporary Facilities
The following table includes use limits for temporary facilities on the Level 1 turf areas.
Table 2: Level 1 Turf Area Use Limits and Time Restrictions for Temporary Facilities
Note: Set up and take down crews may work up to 24 hours a day if needed to meet seasonally adjusted timeframes. All structures on turf require protective decking.
Equipment
SPRING
March 15 – May 14
SUMMER
May 15 – Sept. 14
FALL
Sept. 15 – Nov. 14
WINTER
Nov. 15 –March 14
Vehicles of any kind (delivery, cranes, forklifts, golf carts, trailers, exhibit trailers, etc.)
Not allowed on turf or curbs
Not allowed on turf or curbs
Not allowed on turf or curbs
Not allowed on turf or curbs
Temporary facilities that can be hand carried onto panels from hardscapes
Tents and facilities with stakes no longer than 36”1
Facilities such as stages, exhibits, displays, and media towers2
Seating, pedestrian surfacing3, bicycle rack, cardboard recycling or trash containers4
5 days inclusive of setup and take down
3 days inclusive of setup and take down
5 days inclusive of setup and take down
10 days inclusive of setup and take down
Back of house, trailers, bone yards, generators, portable toilets, etc.
Not allowed on turf or curbs
Not allowed on turf or curbs
Not allowed on turf or curbs
Not allowed on turf or curbs
Vehicle mounted equipment such as signs, stages, LED screens, media towers and light towers
Not allowed on turf or curbs
Not allowed on turf or curbs
Not allowed on turf or curbs
Not allowed on turf or curbs
Pick up games (red flags and ropes designate areas rotating into short rest periods and not available for use)5
Per flag system
Per flag system
Per flag system
Per flag system
1 No staking within the designated no-staking zone to protect irrigation. The irrigation system shall be tested before and after event to ensure functionality. Stakes longer than 36” are always prohibited because they could damage drain lines, which cannot be tested. 2 Weight cannot exceed 3,000 pounds unless materials are used to distribute the weight; in this event, the pressure to the turf cannot exceed 10 pounds per square inch. 3 Required on turf areas where full capacity is expected. 4 Trash containers/bags must be hand carried to walkways/streets and held in designated areas for pick up as per permit conditions. 5 See section 3.3 on page 32 for detailed description of the Public-Awareness Closure Program.
2.3 Allowable Temporary Facilities or Other Areas
The following table includes allowable temporary facilities on the Mall (areas other than level 1 turf areas).
Table 3: Allowable Temporary Facilities on Other Mall Areas
Equipment
Walkways and Non-Turf Areas
Madison and Jefferson
Tree and Turf Panels
Gravel Tree Verges1 (Madison Jefferson)
Turf Verges2
Welcome Plaza / Smithsonian Metro
Concession Stand Areas
Tents
Yes – but no staking
Yes – but no staking
No
No
No
Yes – but no staking
No
Stages
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Other temporary structures3
Per conditions
Per conditions
No
No
Per conditions
Per conditions
Per conditions
Back of house, trailers, bone yards, generators, etc.
Yes
Yes, but no boneyards
No
No
No
No
No
Vehicles (golf carts) as per permit conditions4
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Per conditions
No
Cranes and delivery vehicles5
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Vehicle mounted signs, stages, LED screens, media towers, light towers
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Portable toilets / toilet trucks6
Designated areas only
Designated areas only
No
Designated areas only
No
No
No
Dumpsters
Per conditions
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Barriers / bike racks6
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Per conditions
Yes
NPS fencing that is staked3
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Security Checkpoints
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
1 A tree verge on Madison and Jefferson is a circular planting zone at the back of a curb, adjacent to a roadway. 2 A turf verge is a narrow turf grass planting zone at the back of a curb, adjacent to a roadway. Efforts should be made to span the verge when possible when structures are used. Event barriers shall not be secured using stakes. 3 Temporary structures beyond tents, stages, and fencing might include elements such as lighting towers, audio towers, AV towers, displays, platforms, and portable restroom facilities, among others. 4 Vehicle parking areas or corrals shall be identified in plans related to permit conditions. 5 Cranes and delivery vehicles must obey designated routes in permit conditions; cranes and delivery vehicles must remain five feet (5’) away from granite curbs and turf; curbs and turf must be protected at all times. 6 Portable restroom facilities are not permitted on the turf or tree panels and must be located in hardscape areas. 7 NPS staking will follow guidelines as outlined for Permittees and be installed under NPS oversight.
2.4 Closure and Cancellation for Events on the National Mall
The following table includes information related to closure and cancellation policy for the National Mall. Closures shall be enacted for health and safety, weather, and soil condition1 reasons. It shall be the responsibility of the Turf Manager to determine the level of saturation suitable for usage; this will vary based upon factors such as the season and recent/upcoming weather events.
Table 4: Closure and Cancellation for the National Mall
For emergency, public health or safety (36 CFR 1.5)3
In conjunction with USPP
Mass notification procedures in place
Cancelling permitted athletics and pick-up ball games
NPS established flag system to rotate area usage and notify players when areas are too wet for use4
Flags will incorporate symbols per 36 CFR 1.10
No events shall be held in the event that there is visible puddling on the Mall. In the event of recent rain that has not resulted in puddling, the Turf Manager should use a soil probe to determine the moisture of the soil.5
Permitted athletics are prohibited from playing on wet ground (36 CFR79.6 (b)(2)
On-site temporary signs placed by Turf Manager
On-site NPS staff
NPS will establish a public information campaign - no play in standing water or when soil moisture is high; flag system described
1 Soil conditions shall be evaluated to ensure prevention of damage to the turf; this is particularly important in the event of extremely moist or wet soil, which is subject to greater damage. 2 USPP, in conjunction with NPS, will be responsible for citing permit holders causing damage or not adhering to permit rules. 3 36 CFR 2.32(a)(2) This regulation allows lawful orders to be issued “to maintain order and control public access and movement during…law enforcement actions, and emergency operations that involve a threat to public safety or park resources…where the control of public movement and activities is necessary to maintain order and public safety. 4 See chapter 2 section 3.10 for detailed description of the Public-Awareness Closure Program. 5 The Turf Manager may determine that impending weather conditions will result in wet conditions within the same day and may cancel events to prevent damage. Soil moisture readings greater than 20% indicate that damage will occur.
Permit Steps and Closure and Cancellation Information for Applicant and Permittee
Application contains notification of cancellation policy
Review weather projections and seasonal patterns
Rain dates pre-determined during rainy seasons
Review closure and cancellation policy; there is no guarantee of rescheduling; there is no reimbursement
Operations inventory and event schedule 14 days before event
Weather and soil moisture warning;
Back-up plan for cancellation, rain dates, relocation to Tidal Basin Parking Lot, or rescheduling availability
Pre-event meeting 5 days before
Weather and soil moisture warning
Pre-event walk through 3 days before event
Test soil moisture
Initiate back up plan
Set up for temporary facilities
Soil moisture is high
Delay of set up; cancellation required within 2-3 days of event
Event days (public activity days)
On site monitoring
Rain delays
Take down of temporary faciliites
Postpone tear down until soil moisture levels are at an appropriate level.1
1 The amount of time necessary for soil moisture levels to reduce to an appropriate level will vary based upon weather conditions. The Turf Manager and team shall monitor conditions and inform Permittee when soil moisture levels have reached an acceptable level for take down of temporary facilities. 2 USPP, in conjunction with NPS, will be responsible for citing permit holders causing damage or not adhering to permit rules.
