Fairview Community Park, the county's newest public park, in the Fairview Estates subdivision is looking a little barren these days because the grass planted there has struggled to grow under the intense summer heat and lack of rain.

County arborist Debbie Bell wants to plant drought-resistant bermudagrass in the park, but it won't survive if planted this late in the year.

The Covington location of Ewing Irrigation Products, 12135Liberty Drive, lent the county a helping hand by donating $40 in rye grass seed, which grows well in cooler weather and will protect the soil from erosion through the winter, Bell said. The 50 pounds of grass will be planted in a month and cover half an acre.

Assistant Manager Thorin Moriaz said Ewing Irrigation has a good working relationship with local businesses and governments and sees the value in providing a helping hand. The company also donated time and materials to the ABC's ""Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" project in Madison.

"We're committed to the local community and local economy," Moriaz said. "We find a lot of value in taking care of our local businesses (and governments)."

The rye grass will die in the spring when the temperatures approach the mid-80s. After that the county will plant bermudagrass seed and brown-top millet. Bell said bermudagrass is a warm-season perennial while millet is a warm-season annual that is often used as a cover crop for bermudagrass.

The $200,000 park had its grand opening in early May.