When student-athletes step onto a pristine field at an Oklahoma City Public Schools campus, they see green turf, clean dugouts, sturdy fences, and bright signage. What they may not see is the work happening behind the scenes to keep those spaces safe, playable, and welcoming.
That work is led by John Downing, Field Director for Fields & Futures.
John joined the organization in the spring of 2020, just as construction on many of the athletic facilities was wrapping up. With nearly 30 years of experience in the sprinkler business, he brought deep expertise in irrigation and grounds maintenance – skills that have become essential to preserving one of the largest athletic facility investments in Oklahoma public education.
Today, John and his team oversee maintenance for 71 athletic fields, including baseball, softball, soccer, track and cross country, and football facilities across Oklahoma City. And he couldn’t do it without the partnership and support of OKCPS District AD, Shane Sanders, and the District Athletics Ground Supervisor, Bryan Jones.
What It Takes to Maintain 71 Facilities
Keeping these facilities in top condition is a year-round effort.
Every week or two, John surveys each site, checking:
- Synthetic turf and natural grass
- Infields and outfields
- Irrigation systems
- Fertilization needs
- Fences and signage
- Dugouts and bleachers
- Backstop netting
Each field is mowed 34 times per year, while our fertilizer and weed control program covers 3,360,000 sq. feet of safe, competitive playing surfaces (that’s the equivalent of two Scissortail Parks!)
Additionally, 3,406 sprinkler heads in 460 irrigation zones are inspected and maintained each month, while about 170 dump trucks of topdressing materials and organic composts are spread across the district each year.
Some challenges are expected, such as the narrow summer window when school is out and major projects can only be completed before and around summer programs). Others are less predictable.
More Than Maintenance
For John, this work is about far more than grass and irrigation.
“A lot of kids don’t have a lot to look forward to in the evening,” he says. “So it’s important when they look out here that the field is ready for them. Someone cares about them.”
That simple statement captures the heart of Fields & Futures.
A well-maintained field sends a powerful message to students: You matter. Your community believes in you. You deserve a safe and inspiring place to play.
A Commitment for Generations
Fields & Futures was founded not only to build athletic facilities, but to ensure they remain in excellent condition for decades.
Through a multi-million-dollar field maintenance endowment, the organization is creating a permanent source of funding to support mowing, repairs, irrigation, and long-term improvements.
This commitment is made possible through partnerships with numerous organizations, along with generous donors who believe every child deserves access to quality athletic spaces.
The Work Behind the Promise
Long after the ribbon cuttings and groundbreaking ceremonies, John Downing and his team are carrying out the promise that Fields & Futures made to Oklahoma City students.
Their work may happen quietly, but its impact is unmistakable.
Because when a field is cared for, kids know they are too.