Fall is here, which means it’s time for the traditional over-seeding of Fountain Park. This year the over-seeding will take place between Oct. 5 and Nov. 6.

With more than 60 acres of turf, this process takes several weeks to complete. This includes weeks of scalping the existing bermuda grass, applying the rye seed, and then sufficiently watering to germinate and allow the ryegrass to become established.

The scalping process usually creates a significant amount of dust to avoid. The overseed process has also begun on the Avenue of the Fountains Plaza.

Bermuda grass is heat-loving and sun-seeking. The shorter days and cooler temperatures of the fall and winter months cause Bermuda grass to go dormant. By overseeding with ryegrass, it allows for green grass within Fountain Park all winter long, however, ryegrass requires different maintenance.

During over-seeding, the seed must remain moist during the day to germinate in the warm sunshine. Thus, the overseeding watering schedule operates throughout the day, beginning just after sunrise at 7 a.m. and continuing through the day until 7 p.m. To cover more than 60 acres of turf, the park’s irrigation system operates dozens of cycles through numerous park zones, which takes several hours. As a result, irrigation will be in operation during peak visitor usage times and may impact the walking path. This schedule is only temporary, and staff hopes to resume standard irrigation cycles by mid-November.

The town encourages park users to walk carefully, remembering that wet sidewalks can be slick. It also important that park users remain on pathways and non-turf areas only to allow the over-seeding process to be effective.