This fan-focused stadium opened in Round Rock, Texas in 2000 as the home of an MLB Triple-A affiliate. The venue’s unique design puts fans unusually close to the field as seats behind home plate are only 55 feet from the backstop, closer to the action than the pitcher's mound is to home plate. Fans seated along the first and third base lines are even closer (50 feet from the field). The stadium draws consistent traffic beyond baseball season, hosting concerts, amateur sporting events, craft shows, and private functions throughout the year. A conference center along the first base line adds 10,000 square feet of dedicated event space, making the stadium a year-round venue for Round Rock and Central Texas. Keeping the grounds game-ready and presentable across a full calendar of events takes a team effort.
Challenges
Among the most challenging aspects of landscaping maintenance here is the Central Texas summer heat (often above 100 degrees). This puts plantings under heavy stress as early as May. With that heat stress, the landscape team has to find the right tactics for efficient irrigation. If not, plants suffer from lack of water while resources are wasted.
“The risk of heat stress for plants increases substantially at temperatures above 85 degrees.” ~Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Two more challenges are related to the popularity of this stadium. First, heavy foot traffic can compact the soil, which is very tough on plant and turf root systems. Next, with so many fans coming to baseball games and other popular events, any missteps in the ornamental beds would be noticed by thousands of stadium goers.
With 600,000+ annual visitors, exterior turf and hardscape-adjacent plantings don’t have an “off-season.” Recovery programs must be used between heavy-use periods. The stadium hosts events year-round, so entrance beds need fresh color through each season that also connects to the venue branding and themes.
Results
The strategies below show how the Yellowstone Landscape team has managed the commercial landscaping challenges at this fan-favorite venue.
- Our experienced teams get ongoing training on plant health and monitoring for heat stress.
- Yellowstone crews receive constant safety training on how to avoid heat stress that threatens people working outdoors in the Texas heat.
- Texas native plants such as yuccas were installed for their beauty and ability to thrive in hot, arid conditions.
- Part of our plant selection process involves sourcing hardy species that can endure heavy foot traffic.
- Our designers help maintenance teams find innovative ways to guide fans in order to avoid landscaping damage.
- The account manager tracks the venue’s schedule daily to stay on top of any event rescheduling that would impact the landscaping schedule.
- High-visibility areas are double-checked during account manager walk-throughs and by Yellowstone employees doing weekly maintenance.
- Intensive landscape recovery programs are used during the busiest event periods.
- Seasonal color is planned months ahead each year to ensure access to the best species and on-brand bloom colors for this venue.
- Soil quality checks are done before each planting cycle to ensure plantings can thrive.
Winning Reviews
“Clean venue for our family night.”
“We enjoyed sitting on the lawn.”
“Great spot for baseball.”
Two-Way Partnership
This stadium aims high when it comes to fan experience, whether it’s a baseball game or concert. The facility managers believe fans should walk away feeling like they were part of the on-field experience. That takes detailed planning, such as having seating so close to the batter you can see his uniform’s stitching. It also requires a true desire to serve the community that supports these local events.
Yellowstone Landscape is pleased to partner with the client on these admirable aspirations. Our Texas landscape team takes pride in knowing their work is seen and enjoyed by families lounging on the lawn during the seventh-inning stretch. Not only that, this partnership goes deeper as Yellowstone team members got a chance to feel the on-field experience themselves.
That’s because our Safety Rodeo was held on the stadium field this year. It was a treat for our employees to enjoy the on-field experience of this beloved venue. As a bonus, the facility’s employees got to witness Yellowstone Landscape’s intensive approach to safety. As other clients have told us, seeing our training system benefits workers regardless of their industry because the goal is always making it home safely.
When you’re ready to discuss ways to make your commercial property an enhanced experience for the people you serve, contact Yellowstone Landscape for a consultation.
