Managing Heavily Used Organic Athletic Fields: Stamford Parks & Recreation Interview

An interview with Pete Stokes, Landscape Specialist, Stamford Parks & Recreation (CT), conducted by Pam Newcombe, CEO of PJC Organic.

In 2021, the City of Stamford passed an organic land ordinance that restricts the use of toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers on all city-owned property, including parks, open spaces, and organic athletic fields. The ordinance reflects a city-wide commitment to protecting human health, pollinators, and local ecosystems while shifting toward more sustainable land care practices.

This policy change set the stage for Stamford Parks and Recreation to rethink how it manages natural turf, particularly as field use continues to increase and resources remain limited. In this interview, Pete Stokes, Landscape Specialist with Stamford Parks and Recreation, shares how the transition to organic land care has unfolded and how working with PJC Organic has helped the department build healthier, more resilient fields over time.

How long have you been with Stamford Parks & Recreation, and what’s your background?

Pete:

I’ve been with the department since 2001. My predecessor, Phil DiMicco, was a childhood friend of mine and really mentored me early on. I’ve always been a baseball guy, and Stamford has always been a baseball town. Early in my career, the City received sod from Shea Stadium after a Mets renovation, which allowed us to convert several Little League fields to grass infields. That was really the beginning of my growth in managing athletic turf.

Over the years, I earned my Turf and Grounds License and now serve as one of two Landscape Specialists responsible for athletic fields. We maintain roughly 33 acres of natural turf—baseball, softball, and soccer—and those fields receive an incredible amount of play. I’ve spent my whole life in sports, from coaching to umpiring, so doing this work for my hometown is something I feel genuinely grateful for.

One of the first things PJC worked on with you was field prioritization, how did that impact your turf care program?

The tiered grading system was huge for us. With a finite budget and limited staff, you have to allocate resources wisely. Not every field can (or should) be managed the same way, and that framework helped us make smarter decisions.

Before going organic, what did your turf program look like?

For about 19 years, we ran a traditional synthetic program. The synthetic program included four applications a year: pre-emergent, post-emergent, pest control, and feeding. We spent around $13–14,000 annually, and the fields were good. They handled the play reasonably well.

Since working with PJC, I’ve learned the difference between feeding grass and feeding soil. That mindset shift has been big for me. Organics look at turf as a system, not just a surface. Early in the season—April and May—you won’t find better-looking fields. Mid-summer, with heat, drought, and constant play, things can look rough. But come September and October, the fields rebound beautifully.

What are some of the external pressures you deal with?

The switch to organic happened very quickly, it was a decision made at a higher level that we didn’t have any control over. At the same time, we’ve been dealing with labor shortages, extreme weather, drought, and grub pressure. On top of that, field use has increased tremendously. On some Saturdays, a single field might host five games from morning through night. That level of use would challenge any turf program, organic or synthetic.

You also manage artificial fields. How do they compare?

We have three artificial fields. They’re used constantly, and they require outsourced grooming, repairs, and testing. They solve some problems, but they come with their own set of costs and maintenance realities.

Did transitioning to organic require new equipment?

Yes. We invested in a new tractor, aerator, and seeder. We’re seeding more than ever, and we’re seeing results.

What challenges are you facing day-to-day?

Geese are a major issue, they love healthy grass. We’ve also dealt with grub damage on a few fields and have had to do targeted rescue treatments. Scheduling maintenance around nonstop sports use is probably our biggest challenge.

Weeds come up in conversations with users, especially clover. Some leagues don’t love the look, but clover isn’t a bad thing — it contributes to soil health. I’ll admit, I didn’t always believe that. I came from a synthetic mindset and had to unlearn some things.

Where are you seeing success?

Early-season performance has been a real win. We host the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference at Cubetta Stadium and come the 22nd of May, that place is looking like a champ.

Another success is the Great Lawn area between Scalzi 1 and 2. There’s no irrigation, and we struggled to maintain turf there before. Now we have grass, and people want to use the space. In passive areas across the city, we’re seeing steady improvement. When people are playing and gathering in spaces they never used before, that tells me we’re doing something right.

How many of your challenges are related to organic management versus weather and usage?

It’s all connected. Weather patterns, increased play, and management choices all impact outcomes. It’s tough to tell, but organics have given us fields that recover and improve over time instead of just being patched season to season.

Any advice for other municipalities considering organic turf?

Choose the right partner. PJC is a wonderful partner. You have answered every question. If any problem has come up, you guys come through. If someone asked me about organic fields, I’d absolutely send them your way. You guys have been with us since the beginning.

Organic Approach

Stamford’s move to organic land care has not been about achieving flawless fields. It has been about responsible stewardship, realistic expectations, and long-term resilience. As Pete reflects on the pressures of heavy field use, weather extremes, and public perception, it becomes clear that success depends on patience, strong cultural practices, and knowledgeable partners.

Through the organic land ordinance and continued collaboration with PJC Organic, Stamford Parks and Recreation is building turf systems that support both community recreation and environmental responsibility, offering a thoughtful model for other municipalities considering the transition to organic management.

If you are interested in transitioning to organic turf care, contact us!