New Walk Path on #14

Monday we took advantage of a hot, dry day to install a new walk path on hole #14, leading to the white and green tee box.  The idea for a walk path in this location has been discussed by the Grounds Committee for quite some time, but because of our busy schedule it has been hard to find time to complete the project.  I would like to show you in pictures how we built this new path.

This is the area we we chose to install the walk path.  It has been the chosen trail for some time now, and along with some rocks and tree roots it made for a rather rugged walk.  In the foreground of the picture you can see a small portion of the pathway material we used to make a ramp down from the cart path about a year ago with some excess we had left from a previous project.  In the grass you can slightly see the walk path we mow into what is currently mulch and fescue grass walk path.

  

The first step is to grade out the area for the path.  The thickness of the entire path is about 5 inches in depth, so we went down 4-5 inches from the original grade to prepare the base for the path.  We use boards to form up the sides to help us keep a consistent line and helps the material where we want it and allow it to set-up properly.

The base material we use for the walk path is crush-r-run, or a DOT approved material that packs well and is a mixture of standard gravel and fine stones.  We install this material at a depth of 2 inches throughout the bottom of the path.

So what exactly are we using to build this path?  The product is called Kafka Granite, and it is a combination of a polymer and a lot of very tiny granite rocks.  The polymer acts as a glue that hardens and sticks everything together to make a firm surface.  The polymer actually continues to get harder and more consistent over time, allowing the walk path to become durable and withstand years of use.  The Kafka Granite is made in Wisconsin, and shipped in large sacks containing 3,000 lbs each.  This surface is similar to concrete when it is completed, but much more cost effective.

The Kafka Granite is spread evenly throughout the path area, on top of the crush-r-run sub-base we had previously installed.  We try to put 3-4 inches of the material at first, and then run a vibratory tamp across the top to compact the material.  This picture above shows the material being spread evenly.

This is another picture showing the crew installing the Kafka Granite.  Look at the boards to see exactly how much material we are installing on the path.  The grey colored material is the base layer, and the light brown material is what will ultimately be the path surface.  The white bag is the 3000 pound sack the product was delivered in.

A vibratory tamp is used to compact the new material and firm it into a usable walk path.  Adding a light mist of water during this process helps to allow the polymer to start solidifying everything together.

The vibratory tamp works very well to firm up the surface.

Notice where the smooth area is that has been tamped is about 2 inches lower than the loose material used to fill the forms.  This is why we install so much of the Kafka material at the beginning, because it really packs well.  Ideally we would like to see a finished surface of 3 inches thick of Kafka granite, after the tamping process.

All that is left will be to finish the surrounding landscape to make the walk path look like it has been there forever.  This path material blends very well and looks very natural.  Hopefully once completed it will improve this stretch for the golfers walking to #14 tee box!