Creating a Winning Campus, Sports Fields

THE CHALLENGE

Create a Campus and Playing Fields That Draw Students

Located just outside Atlanta, Ga., Mount Paran Christian School has a picturesque 65-acre campus with walking paths, a 6-acre lake, and award-winning sports fields. More than 71 percent of the students participate in sports and 61 middle and high school teams use the athletic fields. When we partnered with Mount Paran, the new operational management was looking for experts who could take the campus grounds to the next level, especially the sports fields. 

THE SOLUTION

Thorough Assessment Reveals Opportunities to Improve

After a thorough assessment of the campus grounds and athletic fields, our experts created a plan which maximized results and minimized disruptions. Through open and constant communication, we were able to create a more environmentally sustainable landscape, assist with preparation for special school activities, and accomplish it all without interruptions to the school or sports activities. 

The school's two baseball fields, a big draw to prospective student athletes, were of particular concern to the new management. Our experts recommended over-seeding the fields - originally planted with winter-dormant Bermuda grass - with rye grass to keep conditions stellar year-round. 

Our teams also re-planted the school landscape with low-water-use native plants, taking great care to blend new landscaping with the established aesthetic. In addition to comprehensive maintenance, including mowing, trimming, turf care, mulching, and tree, flowerbed, and shrub care, we worked with Mount Paran to design, install, and maintain new planting areas.

THE OUTCOME

High-Quality Landscaping Helps Campus Sell Itself

Scott Varner, Sports Facilities Director and Assistant Director of Operations, was pleased with the changes.

"When the campus looks great, it sells itself, " he said. "Originally, we were concerned that a national company might treat us as just another account, but the local team we're working with takes a lot of pride in its work. They've made my job so much easier."