Chiefs groundskeeper shares update on Arrowhead field after blizzard: ‘A crazy week’
Snow still covers most grassy areas in the Kansas City area, a byproduct of the blizzard that brought nearly a foot of snow. That was followed by brutal cold snap.
Few folks are worried about how the yard looks, but Travis Hogan has a keen interest in green grass in January.
That’s because Hogan is the Chiefs’ director of turf management and he oversees the care of the playing surface at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Ahead of the storm, Hogan shared the plan for caring for the field.
“Gonna be a crazy next 7-10 days of weather in KC,” Hogan wrote in an X post on Jan. 2. “Covering the field with grow tarps first then rain tarps on top to get through the ice and snow forecasted, then take rain tarps off once really cold temps pass. Gotta trap as much heat as possible without getting disease.”
On Saturday, Hogan shared a photo of how the Arrowhead Stadium field fared under those tarps and the snow.
“Took rain/snow tarps off yesterday and took heat from 70-90 from yesterday AM to today,” Hogan wrote. “Rolling 62* in the top inch under the grow blankets. Grass is a little yellowed from no sun for 7 days, but we have a beautiful sunny day today to head the right direction! Been a crazy week.”
Hogan answered a fan who had asked if the green color will return and noted that the care for the field was unprecedented.
“It will over time,” Hogan wrote. “Temps aren’t helping early next week. Biggest priority will be to get it stood up after being matted for 7 days with tarps and weight of ice and snow. It’s better than I thought it may be. We have never had to cover with rain tarps for 7 days. New experience.”
Another fan praised Hogan.
“KC weather is a wild ride,” Hogan wrote in response. “We really have to plan out heat up, heat down, and try to keep it in the sweet spot if at all possible. It takes quite awhile to heat up or cool. Lot of time spent looking at Pod info.”
This story was originally published January 13, 2025 at 8:56 AM.
