A throwing area with decomposed granite (dg) allows to officials to accurately measure the distance a thrower throws his or her shot. This is especially important during a league championship and can mean the difference between an accurately measured throw and one that is missed measured. This venue will benefit young throwers for years to come, it require little maintenance (minor repairs every 5 years) and last for more than 20 years.
Another reason this will benefit the school and the many who use it is that grass is much harder to maintain than dg. Throwing a shot on grass will make a fairly large hole that must be constantly filled by coaches and gardeners to make sure that people who might walk through the area do not sprain or break and ankle.
The plan involves getting donations of DG from a major land development company and either redwood or pressure treated wood from a major wood company. The next step will involve creating the frame that will hold all the dg. Finally we will fill the frame with the dg and the throwing pit will be complete.
There is currently a sprinkler system that surrounds the area for the project. I plan to speak to the school's landscape maintenance to cap the sprinklers.
I have researched several companies that could contribute the materials I need to complete my project. I will be contacting and meeting with store managers and construction company representatives to try and get donations in the form of money and/or materials. I will also accept donations from anyone who is willing to contribute.
The materials I will need include: Twelve 2x6 – 16ft of pressure treated wood, a bundle of 1x3 – 24in wood stakes, and 36 cubic yards of decomposed granite.
I believe that finding volunteers will not be a problem I know the presidents of community service clubs at my school. The first is the Otay Ranch Earth Service Corps and the second is the Otay Ranch KIWINS. I will of course, ask members from the track & field and the x-country team as well as scouts from our troop to assist me.
