HomeMy WebLinkAboutNative garden program
Park Commission
Date: 4/20/09
Item: 5
ITEM: Discussion of native garden planting program for park sign locations
REQUESTED BY: Carol Kriegler, Project Assistant
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Many of the park sign locations lack landscaping. Other locations have a landscape bed, though
they are in need of attention. The city’s CIC (Community Improvement Commission) has in the
past expressed an interest in improving the park sign location landscaping.
The city’s SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program) stipulates that the city educate and
encourage residents to landscape with native plants and install raingardens, shoreline buffers,
etc... This native garden planting program is consistent with the goals of the city’s SWPPP.
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED:
The Park Commission is being asked to explore and consider implementing a program of native
garden installations / “adoptions” at any number of park sign locations.. Goals of the program
include:
Beautification of the sign locations / landscape beds.
To conduct a fun and educational event that would engage members of the community in
a positive way.
To educate the public as to the value of native gardens in our community and to lead by
example.
The program could include the designation of specific “garden planting day” when volunteers
would plant provided native plant seedlings at sign locations throughout the city. Carol Kriegler
will provide ideas / suggestions as to how such an event might play out. Ideas / suggestion to be
explored and discussed include:
Recruitment of garden “leaders / team captains” for selected sites. (Installation and
ongoing care or “adoption”).
Possible involvement of a conservation group such as MCC
Garden “leader / team captain” recognition
Funding – grant opportunities
Garden design – WCCD support
Training
Pre-event site preparations
Seedling / material purchases
Event celebration – Sunfish Lake Park
Carol Kriegler and Rusty Schmidt (biologist and landscape architect) of the Washington County
Conservation District have conducted an inventory of all the city’s park sign locations. Attached
are sketches of examples of native gardens that could be installed at small sign locations and
larger sign locations.
Project Costs
The cost for these gardens would range depending on size. Material costs for a small garden
would be about $500 with material costs for a large sign being about $1,500.00. It is possible that
50% of the projects could be reimbursable through the Valley Branch Watershed District’s cost
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share program. In kind services such as volunteer service and city staff time are eligible for the
cost share program. The Washington County Conservation District has expressed a willingness
to provide design services.
ACTION REQUESTED
The commission is being asked to consider whether they would like to further explore
implementation of such a program and on what scale. The commission could conduct the
program in one or two parks, or all the parks.
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