Title
Converting Kentucky Bluegrass to Native Grass in City Parks and Medians
Presenter:
Eric Becker, Acting Parks Maintenance and Operations Manager/SIMD Administrator
Britt Haley, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director
Body
Summary:
Parks Department leadership has embraced and continues to support the conversion of underutilized and often underperforming Kentucky bluegrass to a more suitable and sustainable native grass species. The process came to fruition after the economic downturn required an alternative way of thinking about green spaces and how they were utilized. Instead of lush green expanses on slopes and passive use areas, native grasses have been successfully introduced to 81 acres of Parks property. In addition to the water savings, maintenance procedures have been amended to accommodate for lower inputs. Assuming a cool-season native seed mix is selected, maintenance and water costs can be reduced by up to 40%. Typically, the return on investment for these projects has been less than one year once established.
In times of drought, irrigation for landscapes comes into direct conflict with human consumption, health and sanitation needs and is often targeted first by water purveyors to conserve water. In Colorado, water conservation continues to be a critical component to ensure water supply to future generations and an ever-increasing population. Part of bridging the water supply and demand gap projected to exist by 2050, will include outdoor water conservation at both the state and local levels. Through its comprehensive Water Conservation Program, the City of Colorado Springs Parks Department is indeed aligned in the effort to conserve water both now and in the years to come.
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Recommended Action
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Summary of Ordinance Language
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