Enmore Park Plan of Management - Land

7.0 REVIEW7.4 Landform, soils and drainageThe landform of the site generally falls to the west with the northern half stronglyoriented to the southwest with a focus on the east-west path connection at AddisonRoad. The southern section slopes due west being steepest in the centre of the park.General falls average 1:27 in the northern zone and vary between 1:100 to 1:40 in thesouthern.Ball game area - northThe 1991 Plan of Management for Enmore Park included an investigation of the soiland drainage conditions, which was undertaken by The Sydney Environmental and SoilLaboratory. Although 15 years old, the issues flagged by the report generally remainvalid and so the significant findings of this report are summarised below.The naturally occurring soils in Enmore Park have a high field capacity, which meansthat they retain relatively high quantities of water, and may feel damp. The western lowpoints in the park are consistently quite damp in times of regular rainfall, reflected in thecurrent contrast in that condition between these and higher lying areas of the park.Despite the high field capacity, the soils generally drain well unless compacted.Worn and compacted grassKerbed pathwaysThree areas of compaction were identified:• Around the two play areas (south-southwest)• The old ball game area (north)• Lines of regular vehicular wear (from Victoria Road)The key implication of compaction is that it increases the run off during rainy periodsand generally reduces turf quality. Compaction results from the passage of vehiclesparticularly when the soil is damp.The report identifies that compaction can be relieved by surface cultivation and resowingof turf. This would be a short term measure lasting 12 months at most. Ifaccompanied by slitting and/or coring with a coarse sand backfill the results would last afurther 24 months. Alternatively compaction can be relieved by ripping to depth of 300mm, regarding to ensure surface runoff and topdressing. Special treatment is neededfor any areas damaged by construction work. This is a longer term solution. Applicationof potassium and phosphorus will increase the turf’s resistance to wear.The report recommends the reinstatement of the old surface drainage system (that isremove kerbs to pathways) and rationalisation and restriction of vehicular movementthrough the Park after heavy rain to alleviate the recurrence of the soil compactionproblem in the future.It also recommends some more specific changes to operational and maintenanceregimes including mowing vehicles being rescheduled to avoid mowing when theground is wet. It is understood however this could increase costs. Also suggested isthe relocation of bins to near the edges of the Park so that they can be emptied from thekerbside.Vehicle access to the pool complex is also addressed with the recommendation thatvehicles to the pool complex could be given direct access from Black Street and ifnecessary pool chemicals piped to the kerb to reduce the necessity of tankers enteringthe Park. One or more paths could be reconstructed to a vehicular standard andbecome the route of entry for any vehicles such as the Magic Yellow Bus and anyvehicles required for future events. Mini bus access to the Children’s Resource Centreis also understood to be required from time to time. The report suggests relocating theVictoria Road vehicular access gate thereby reducing the distance that vehicles have tobe driven over grass.Drainage in the park would generally follow topography in focusing overland flow on thewestern edge of the park in particular towards the centre frontage near the AddisonRoad intersection. However the existing path network integrates a kerb and pitdrainage system and so acts to interrupt surface runoff. This may limit the benefits ofrainfall on moisture retention to grassed areas.63 Marrickville CouncilOctober 2012