In an effort to become a Commitment Level River Star, a program sponsored by the Elizabeth River Project (ERP), Luck Stone’s Gilmerton Yard installed two bioretention/rain garden areas between the scale office and administrative building. The areas total approximately 1,800 square feet and will filter stormwater runoff from an adjoining parking lot and a portion of exit road from the facility. The rain gardens, designed by local landscape architect Kathleen Redfern, were planted with 131 native shrubs, flowers, and grasses and installed by associates and volunteers.

The first rain garden was planted in December 2009 and the second was planted in March 2010. Both are functioning beautifully! Gilmerton’s accomplishment would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the following individuals:

• Pam Boatwright, ERP
• Jim Cahoon and Amy Conley, ERP volunteers
• Anthony Cuffee, Steve Royal, Tony Williams, Smiley Odom, and Mark Williams, Gilmerton associates
• Troy Durrer, Luck Stone IT
• Jimmy Rodgers, Luck Specialty Products

Over the past few months, Luck Specialty Products has supplied ball field construction materials to assist in the renovation of the historic Durham Athletic Park, affectionately known as “The DAP,” in Durham, NC. The DAP was the setting of the 1988 movie Bull Durham and was home to the Class A Carolina League Durham Bulls from 1926 to 1994.

Valley Crest Landscapes was the contractor of choice to turn this old gem into a newer, more player friendly version of one of America’s best known ball parks. In renovating the field, Valley Crest used two of Luck's premium sports field products. Luck Specialty Product's Warning Track-Red material was utilized for the warning track. Warning Track-Red is a stone dust aggregate with a sieve analysis, best suited for good permeability and traffic tolerance, and has better than normal freeze resistant traits.

Also used in this project was Luck’s Infield material that was blended with Ruckersville Red. This created an infield mix slightly higher in clay content than that which is normally produced, which is what the client requested.

Plans for the DAP’s renovation include Durham Parks and Recreation league baseball programming and usage of the facility as a special event venue.