Residents and visitors are being asked to stay out of Fountain Park during the annual overseed process when the sprinklers are activated, which is likely much of the daylight hours.

Overseeding at Fountain Park is an annual process to ensure the park remains lush and green throughout the winter months, according to Mike Pelton, Town of Fountain Hills Community Relations director.

During the process, the town has an important notice for all visitors: if you see sprinkler flows, the park is closed. To avoid risk of slips and falls and contact with reclaimed irrigation water, the park will be closed any time irrigation is running.

Town staff is addressing some of the common questions about overseeding and what it means for parkgoers:

What is overseeding?

Here in the Southwest, there are two different types of grasses used to keep Fountain Park green year-round. In the hot summer months hybrid bermudagrass thrives. When cooler fall and winter temperatures arrive, bermudagrass goes dormant. Overseeding with ryegrass ensures the park stays green through the winter months, when the park is most heavily used.

What is the overseeding process like?

Overseeding is a major undertaking. Crews cut back the bermudagrass in a process called “scalping,” then spread ryegrass seed and fertilizer. To give the seed the best chance to germinate, the soil must stay consistently moist. Because rainfall is limited, irrigation must run multiple times each day to keep the seedbed wet. This allows for the highest germination rate of the seed ensuring high quality turf for the winter.

Why does the park close during irrigation?

The irrigation system at Fountain Park covers more than 200 zones and over 1,000 sprinklers. Watering cycles begin just after sunrise at 7 a.m. and continue into the evening. For safety considerations due to slip hazards, the use of reclaimed water and to protect the young grass, the park will be closed any time irrigation is active.

How long will this last?

This special irrigation schedule is ongoing through October. By early November, watering will return to standard nighttime schedules, and the ryegrass will be well established. At that point, Fountain Park will once again be open for regular use throughout the day and nighttime only irrigation will resume.

“We appreciate the community’s patience during overseeding,” Pelton said. “The short-term inconvenience is key to ensuring Fountain Park remains one of the most beautiful settings all winter long.”

Signs will be posted around the park with irrigation information, and Town staff will closely monitor progress. Thank you for your cooperation as we take this important step to keep Fountain Park healthy and green.