For this equestrian riding arena project, our team followed a detailed and methodical approach to ensure both functionality and environmental consideration.
Initially, we began by stripping the topsoil across the project site, carefully laying out the project’s parameters. The excess topsoil was strategically placed around the arena on the fill and cut slopes, reserved for reseeding at a later stage. Additionally, a portion of this topsoil was stockpiled for respreading once the arena construction was complete and ready for reseeding.
Following the topsoil removal, we embarked on the cut and fill phase for the arena. Our approach was to balance the site meticulously, avoiding the need for importing fill material and eliminating excess cut material. The arena was designed with a central crown, facilitating a 1% water flow off both sides, ensuring effective drainage, and maintaining the structural integrity of the arena.
After completing the cuts and fills, we fine graded the dirt subgrade using our advanced laser grading system. This process allowed us to achieve a sheet flow at a 1% fall across the entire arena, with the dirt subgrade maintained within a half-inch tolerance of the design grades.
The next step involved placing separation fabric on the dirt subgrade. This material is crucial for preventing rocks and other debris from working up into the arena and adds additional support to the arena flooring. We ensured a one-foot overlap at the joints for comprehensive coverage.
We then placed 4 inches of stone dust across the arena flooring. This layer was compacted and fine-graded to ensure that the top of the stone dust surface was parallel to the dirt subgrade. A vibratory roller was used for thorough compaction of the stone dust.
Following the stone dust layer, a 4-inch layer of sand was placed across the arena. Like the previous layer, the sand was compacted and fine-graded using our laser grading system to ensure that its top surface was parallel to the stone dust surface. The sand layer was also compacted with a vibratory roller for optimal compaction.
Finally, once the fencing was completed, we dressed all the yard areas and disturbed areas in preparation for seeding and stabilization. On the larger cut and fill slopes, EC-2 matting was installed to protect against erosion. We then applied seed, fertilizer, lime, and straw to all disturbed areas, ensuring a healthy regrowth of vegetation and stabilizing the landscape around the newly constructed arena.