The intent of this article is to outline the requirements for
the construction of public open space and recreation equipment intended
to be dedicated to the Town of Middletown.
A.
Description. Open space, both passive and active, intending to be
dedicated to the Town of Middletown shall be constructed in accordance
with the approved plans.
B.
General open space requirements.
(1)
A minimum of six inches of graded topsoil shall be placed or retained
on all open space, seeded with a mixture of 80% turf-type tall fescue
and 20% rye. The use of K31 seed mix will not be permitted. The seed
shall be required to attain a germination rate of 95% for acceptance
by the Town of Middletown. The developer shall provide the Town of
Middletown with proof of the seed mixture prior to placement. Amendments
to the prescribed seed mixture will only be allowed with permission
from the Town of Middletown.
(2)
Topsoil must be free of trash, rocks, concrete, blacktop, tree roots
and weeds prior to the placement of final seed.
(3)
Berms shall be designed and graded to not exceed a slope of 4:1.
(4)
Silt fence shall be completely removed, not cut off at ground level.
All disturbed area in the vicinity of the silt fence shall be graded
and seeded in accordance with these specifications prior to final
acceptance by the Town of Middletown.
(5)
Open space shall be maintained by the developer until final acceptance
by the Town of Middletown. During this time period, the grass shall
be maintained to a maximum height of six inches.
(6)
Trees and shrubs shall be planted a minimum of 10 feet off property
lines. The minimum separation between each tree and shrub shall be
10 feet. The minimum separation between trees and shrubs can be reduced
if they are part of a singular landscaped bed or island.
C.
Seeding preparation.
(1)
Prior to seeding, the Town of Middletown shall examine finish surfaces,
grades, topsoil quality and depth. Seeding shall not start until unsatisfactory
conditions are corrected.
(2)
Limit preparation to areas which will be immediately seeded.
(3)
Remove existing temporary lawn and other vegetation and dispose of
such material outside of the open space. Do not turn existing vegetation
over into soil being prepared for permanent lawn. "Round-Up" shall
be sprayed a minimum of two weeks prior to preparation to avoid removal
of vegetation and topsoil loss. Incorporate organic residue into top
six inches of soil. Bring soil to finished grade to provide positive
drainage as shown on the plans.
(4)
Loosen topsoil of lawn area to minimum depth of six inches. Remove
stones over one inch in dimension and sticks, roots, rubbish and extraneous
matter.
(5)
Grade lawn areas to a smooth, free-draining even surface with a loose,
moderate course texture. Roll, rake and remove ridges and fill depressions
as required to drain.
(6)
Apply limestone at the rate determined by soils test to adjust pH
of topsoil to not less than 6.0 or more than 6.8.
(7)
Apply fertilizer at a rate determined by soils test and as directed
by the Town. Fertilizer shall be thoroughly and evenly incorporated
with soil to a depth of six inches by disking or other approved method.
Fertilize areas inaccessible to power equipment with hand tools and
incorporate into soil.
(8)
Restore prepared areas to specified condition if eroded settled or
otherwise disturbed after fine grading and prior to seeding.
D.
Seeding.
(1)
Lawn seed immediately after preparation of bed. Spring seeding shall
occur between April 1 and May 1; fall seeding shall occur between
August 15 and October 15, or at such other times acceptable to the
Town.
(2)
Seed indicated areas within open space limits and areas adjoining
open space limits disturbed as a result of construction operations.
(3)
Perform seeding operations when the soil is dry and when winds do
not exceed five miles per hour.
(4)
Apply seed with approved hydroseeder, brillion drill, or hurricane
seeder.
(5)
Sow seed at a rate of 8.0 pounds per 1,000 square feet (348 pounds
per acre).
(6)
Raking and rolling: after sowing seed, rake the area lightly and
roll with a 200-pound hand roller. The finished grade of the seeded
area must present an even, smooth and finished appearance.
E.
Mulching. Straw mulch: straw shall be spread over all seeded areas
at the rate of 2.50 tons per acre. Mulch shall be applied to a uniform
loose depth of not less than one inch and no more than two inches.
Mulch applied shall achieve a uniform distribution and depth so that
no more than 10% of soil surface is exposed. Secure with a mulch anchoring
tool. Punch, crimp and anchor mulch into the soil surface a minimum
of two inches.
F.
Maintenance.
(1)
Developer shall maintain seeded lawns until final acceptance of the
open space from the Town of Middletown.
(2)
Water to maintain adequate surface soil moisture for proper seed
germination. Water daily to keep surface consistently moist.
(3)
Repair, rework, and reseed all areas that have washed out, are eroded
or do not "catch."
(4)
Mow lawn areas as soon as lawn top growth reaches a three-inch height.
Cut back to two inches in height. Repeat mowing as required to maintain
specified height.
G.
Acceptance.
(1)
Seeded open space areas will be inspected at completion of installation
and accepted subject to compliance with specified materials and installation
requirements.
(2)
Seeded areas for open space will be acceptable provided all requirements,
including maintenance, have been complied with and a healthy, uniform
close stand of the specified grass is established free of weeds, undesirable
grass species, disease and insects.
(3)
No areas shall have bare spots or unacceptable cover totaling more
than 5% of the individual areas, in areas requested to be inspected.
A 95% coverage is required.
(4)
The Town of Middletown will assume all maintenance responsibilities
upon final acceptance.
H.
Walking trails.
(1)
Walking trails shall be a constructed of asphalt. The trail shall
be constructed at to the width specified on the approved plans.
(2)
Walking trails shall be constructed with a minimum of two inches
Type C asphalt on a minimum of six inches graded aggregate base course.
A proof roll of the aggregate, performed in the presence of the Town,
shall occur and pass prior to the placement of the asphalt. The asphalt
shall be laid by machine in accordance with DelDOT specifications.
The contractor shall review the intended method of construction with
the Town prior to placing the asphalt.
(3)
Topsoil must be graded level to the walking trail and seeded.
I.
Playground equipment.
(1)
All playground equipment shall be manufactured by Miracle Equipment,
or approved equal.
(2)
A sign signifying the appropriate age group shall be installed.
(3)
Playground must be handicapped accessible (ramps and entrances).
(4)
Concrete sidewalk leading to playground equipment must be six feet
wide, four inches thick, installed on a minimum of four inches of
graded aggregate base course.
(5)
Playground equipment shall be installed by certified installer. Proof
of certification shall be provided to the Town of Middletown.
(6)
Playground border must be made of plastic, not wood, and installed
above ground, not buried.
(7)
The playground equipment shall be installed on level and well-drained
land.
(8)
Trash receptacles shall be manufactured by Miracle Equipment, Model
No. 5936 (thirty-six-gallon, black), or approved equal.
