334 PARKS 



clay well dampened, after which is added a light top-dressing, consisting of 

 three parts sand and one part clay with 300 to 400 pounds of salt per court." 



The following is a statement of the construction and estimated cost 

 of a clay tennis court by the Park Department, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

 It provides for an area 50 x 120 feet, with a six-inch slope from the net line 

 to the backstop for drainage. 



A layer of six inches of sandy clay is rolled on a solid even sub-base. 

 This clay should be constantly rolled when putting it in place and must 

 be of the right dampness to pack readily. When the surface of clay is 

 rolled to an even grade a fine layer of limestone screenings is rolled into it. 

 These screenings should be spread on the clay about one-eighth inch thick 

 when dry, and then moistened and rolled. Following is a rough estimate 

 of the construction of a fairly level piece of property: 



Labor: 



Subgrade ....................... 675 square yards at $ .10 $67.50 



Place and roll clay ................... 675 square yards at .10 67.50 



Place and roll screenings ................ 675 square yards at .03 20.25 



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Material: 



Sandy clay ...................... 115 cubic yards at .75 $86.25 



Limestone screenings . . _ ................ 2> cubic yards at 2.00 5.00 



Pipe posts set two inches in concrete ........... 2 cubic yards at 5.00 10.00 



Pipe and wire backstops ................ 140 feet at 1.50 210.00 



Total ......................... $466.50 



Dirt courts. It is possible to construct a dirt court at little expense, 

 by removing only two or three inches of topsoil and covering area with a 

 clay, sand and salt mixture. If the soil does not drain readily, special pro- 

 vision must be made for drainage. Such a court, although inexpensive to 

 construct, requires a great deal of maintenance expense, and wears out much 

 more quickly than a well-constructed court. 



Fencing tennis courts. Galvanized iron pipe and wire mesh are com- 

 monly used in the construction of court backstops. Frequently it is desirable 

 to enclose the entire court in order to control it better, but many cities use 

 backstops similar to those in Minneapolis, the specifications for which are 

 practically standard. 



Volley ball. Volley ball may be played on any level surface; frequently 

 the same area is used for both basket ball and volley ball. The following 

 dimensions for volley ball courts are taken from the Official Volley Ball 

 Rules: 



"The playing surface shall be a rectangular court 60 feet long and 30 

 feet wide, free from obstructions and having a height of 15 feet or more 

 which is free from apparatus or other obstructions or projections. The size 

 of the court may be modified for either indoor or outdoor informal games, 

 to accommodate larger or smaller groups to suit local requirements. It is 



